History

Our school curriculum is driven and shaped by our school vision, which informs everything that we do.

St Nicholas provides a welcoming, inclusive and aspirational learning environment at the heart of its community. We nurture, encourage and support all children, adults and their families to be the best as God intended. Following God’s example of love and trust, we develop resilience and creativity in all we do.

Learning, loving and encouraging through Christ.

An uncompromising focus on pupils’ personal development has made St Nicholas Church of England Primary Academy a place where pupils always come first. Ofsted 2019

At St Nicholas, history fosters the children’s interest in the past and develops their understanding of how the past has influenced the present. The children have the opportunity to become historians within their lessons and outside of school. History at St Nicholas is inquisitive, informative and allows children to take a lead in their own learning. Children are exposed to a range of primary and secondary sources as well as a wide range of high-quality replica artefacts through these they gain a deeper understanding of historical topics and are able to conduct their own enquiries; asking and answering questions for themselves. The children learn about the events of the past in Britain and the wider world but also in their own communities, deepening their understanding of the world around them and how it has changed over time. We focus on the historical footprints that others left behind and consider the legacy this has left for future generations, the children are then encouraged to think about their own footprints and the future that they want to leave behind them. Through studying societies of the past, including the politics, beliefs, religions and cultures of those who came before them, the children are able to develop and build a chronological framework of significant events and people. At St Nicholas you can see, hear and feel that history is valued by both staff and pupils and as a result of this, children within the school love history and attain well.

Throughout the school, the children are given the opportunity to take part in workshops and theme days as a hook into their learning and to deepen their understanding.

I enjoyed our Greek Day workshop because I liked learning more about the Ancient Greeks and what it would have been like. My favourite part was looking at what they would use in fights and how they would use it. It was so gruesome!

I really liked learning about World War Two because we got to see and touch the artefacts. It made it much more real and interesting because we were able to hold them and not just look at pictures.

History is enjoyable because you get to learn about how the world grew in its technology and intelligence.

I loved learning about the Tudors, I now know so much more than I did before, like what they ate and how they dressed.

I loved our Greek Day because we got to hold a Greek Olympics and played some Greek games. My favourite part was the acting because it was funny!

I like history because its gory. I enjoy learning about all the different civilisations and how they learnt about the world. WW2 is my speciality – I can’t wait to learn about it in Year 6!