History at St Joseph the Worker
Our history curriculum is designed to ignite children’s curiosity about the past and help them understand how people, events and ideas have shaped the world we live in today. Through a well‑structured and progressive curriculum, we equip pupils with the knowledge, skills and understanding to explore British, local and world history. Our teaching follows the National Curriculum and is enhanced by the Kapow Primary scheme, ensuring high‑quality, engaging and inclusive history lessons.
In the Early Years Foundation Stage, history is taught through the area of ‘Understanding the World’, one of the seven areas of learning in the EYFS Framework. Although young children are not taught history as a standalone subject, we lay strong foundations through purposeful play, exploration and guided experiences that help them begin to make sense of time, change and the people around them.
Exploring Personal and Family History: Children talk about their own lives, family members and past events that are meaningful to them.
Developing Historical Language: Children begin to use simple vocabulary related to time (e.g., yesterday, today, long ago, now).
Understanding Change: Through stories, photographs and objects, children explore how things change over time—homes, toys, transport and daily life.
People and Communities: Children learn about significant people, celebrations and traditions, helping them understand similarities and differences between past and present.
Artefacts and Role Play: Children handle simple artefacts, dress up and engage in imaginative play that helps them explore life in the past.
Dignity of the Human Person: Children learn that every person has value, whether from the past or present.
Community and Participation: Pupils begin to understand that people throughout history have lived in families and communities, just as we do today.
These early experiences provide a foundation for key concepts such as chronology, change, significance and evidence—preparing children to access the history curriculum in Key Stage 1 and beyond.
In Key Stage 1, children begin to develop a sense of the past and how it differs from the present. They explore:
Changes Within Living Memory: Looking at how everyday life has changed over time.
Events Beyond Living Memory: Learning about significant national and global events such as the Great Fire of London.
Significant Individuals: Studying people who have contributed to national and international achievements, such as Mary Seacole, Florence Nightingale or Neil Armstrong.
Local History: Exploring important people, places and events in the local area.
Historical Skills: Using simple sources, sequencing events and beginning to ask questions about the past.
Solidarity: Children learn that people in the past lived differently, but shared the same human needs and hopes.
The Common Good: Pupils explore how individuals have made positive contributions to society.
Care for Creation: Through studying past environments and ways of living, children begin to understand how human choices affect the world.
In Key Stage 2, pupils develop a broader and deeper understanding of British, local and world history. They learn about the complexity of societies, the relationships between different civilisations and the impact of significant events and individuals. Topics include:
Chronological Understanding: Studying history from the Stone Age to the present day, placing events and periods on a timeline.
British History: Exploring key periods such as the Romans, Anglo‑Saxons, Vikings and the Tudors.
World History: Learning about ancient civilisations such as Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece and the Maya.
Local History Studies: Investigating how the local area has changed over time and the people who shaped it.
Historical Enquiry: Using a range of sources, evaluating evidence, and developing reasoned conclusions.
Rights and Responsibilities: Pupils explore how laws, leadership and justice have developed over time.
Option for the Poor and Vulnerable: Children learn how different groups were treated in the past and reflect on fairness and equality.
Stewardship: Pupils consider how past societies used resources and how this affects our responsibility today.
Global Solidarity: Through studying world civilisations, pupils recognise the interconnectedness of human history.
Knowledge‑Rich and Skills‑Based: Our curriculum ensures children not only acquire key historical knowledge but also learn to think and work like historians—asking questions, analysing evidence and forming judgements.
Cross‑Curricular Links: History is often linked with geography, literacy, art, science and PSHE to enrich understanding and reinforce learning.
Global Citizenship and Catholic Social Teaching: History lessons promote empathy, justice and respect for human dignity, helping pupils understand their role in shaping a fairer future.
Engaging and Inclusive: Lessons are enriched with artefacts, stories, digital resources, drama, debates and educational visits to bring the past to life for all learners.
Through history at St Joseph the Worker, we nurture children who are curious, reflective and knowledgeable about the past. History is not just about dates and events—it is about people, choices, justice and the unfolding story of humanity. Through engaging lessons and Catholic Social Teaching, we equip our pupils with the knowledge and values they need to make a positive difference in the world. Whether exploring ancient civilisations or local history, our pupils develop a strong sense of identity, community and global responsibility. They learn to think critically, ask meaningful questions and appreciate the complexity of human stories—helping them grow as informed, compassionate citizens.