Our humanities (History/Geography) leader is Mrs R Henstock.

Our humanities link Governor role is Mrs A Burton.

Here are some images of special events, displays and many pupils enjoying their humanities learning at Springvale!

 

 

Our overview of the curriculum:

Topics Overview 2022

 

Curriculum Progression Documents:

History progression of knowledge, skills and vocabulary

Geography progression of knowledge, skills and vocabulary

History, Geography and Faith in the EYFS

New NC History Plans

New NC Geography Plans

 

HISTORY

History is covered as part of what we call Topic.  A Topic covers a term or half term, and each one will often begin with a sensational starter and end with a fabulous finish (often a field visits or educational visits).  At Springvale Primary we want children to be inspired to learn about how the past has shaped the world today.  By linking learning to a number of engaging topics, children have opportunities to investigate and interpret the past to ensure a coherent understanding of the chronology of the past.

In Key stage 1 pupils develop an awareness of the past using common words and phrases relating to the passing of time.  Pupils learn about changes within living memory and events beyond living memory that are significant nationally and globally as well as learning about the lives of significant individuals.  Children will ask questions about life in the past, they will choose and use parts of stories and other sources to show that they know and understand key features of past events.  E.g.  Why did the Fire of London start?

In Keys stage 2 pupils continue to develop a chronologically secure knowledge and understanding of British, local and world history.  They note connections, contrasts and trends over time and develop the appropriate use of historical terms.  This could be delivered through pupil research, experience days and interviewing knowledgeable experts.

Through the History Curriculum at Springvale Primary, we strive to inspire a curiosity within our children. We aim to develop an understanding of British history and that of the wider world. We work to develop an understanding of chronology as well as a knowledge and understanding of how the local area has changed over time. The children are given the opportunity to examine, interpret and evaluate a variety of sources in order to make deductions about the past. They are taught to think and behave as historians and archaeologists. The children are also encouraged to pose their own historical questions. We investigate how and why the world has changed as well as what we can learn from the past to make the future a better place. British Values are woven into the History curriculum promoting values such as Mutual Respect, Tolerance and Individual Liberty. Themed days/months, such as Black History Month and Remembrance as well as assemblies also promote such values. Further themed days, visitors and school visits are used within the History curriculum to develop a deeper understanding of the time periods studied and to inspire the children so that they have a lifelong love of History.  Also, we have a weekly report, provided by two year 5 pupils, to display ‘A Day In History’ in order to foster enthusiasm and expand historical knowledge. A different artefact is displayed weekly in a central area, which pupils are encouraged to investigate and research.

 

GEOGRAPHY

Geography is also covered through cross curricular topic work. Geographical work starts with the youngest children studying the relationship between places which they know and using play maps for cars, and develops to compass work, the interpretation of maps and the study of places beyond the pupil’s experience.

At Springvale Primary, it is our intention that Geography will inspire pupils with a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people that will remain with them throughout their lives. We aim to offer opportunities for children to explore the world in order to develop an understanding of the human and physical world in which they live in and their place within it. We aim to promote the children’s interest and understanding about diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments, together with a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes. It is our intention that Geography will promote children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development helping them to have a greater understanding of their place in the world, and their rights and responsibilities to other people and the environment.  We encourage the children to ask questions about the world and provide opportunities for them to develop geographical skills and knowledge to be able to answer them.

Through our Geography curriculum we aim to develop skills and knowledge that the children can use throughout their life including: • Developing an age-appropriate, accurate knowledge of the location of a wide range of globally significant places and develop their skills in describing the physical and human characteristics of these places. • Using their locational knowledge to provide a geographical context in which to study and understand important geographical processes. • Developing an understanding that these key processes play a vital role in the development of key physical world in which they live in and their place within it. We aim to promote the children’s interest and understanding about diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments, together with a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes

  • They should be able to discuss the interdependence of physical and human geography and how they bring about variation and change to the geographical landscape of an area. • Developing their ability to use key geographical vocabulary which is appropriate and accurate and which evolves from EYFS to Key stage 1 and through to key stage 2. • They should develop the skills to use and interpret a wide range of sources of geographical information including maps, diagrams, globes, aerial photographs and Geographical Information Systems (GIS).  • Developing the skills to collect, analyse and present a range of data, gathered through experiences of fieldwork, to deepen their understanding of key geographical processes. • Developing the skills to be able to communicate geographical information in a variety of ways, including through maps, numerical and quantitative skills at writing.

 

It is our intention that the Geography curriculum will be both stimulating and motivating in order to capture the pupil’s curiosity and fuel their motivation to learn. The pupils should be provided with exciting learning opportunities so as they enjoy acquiring and developing their skills and knowledge and perceive the world as an interesting place. With a solid foundation upon which they can continue to build their knowledge, we hope that the children will continue to have a curiosity of the world throughout their life.

 

We encourage parents to take their children on local, national and international trips, then share their experiences on the school Twitter feed as well as ‘Show and Tell’ time in class. This greatly adds to their child’s knowledge and understanding of the world around them.

The topics below are used to cover all areas of the geography and history National Curriculum. The order that they may be studied may vary within the year.

FS1 and FS2 often share topics, Year 1 and year 2 have adopted a two year rolling cycle, as have years 3 and 4. Year 5 and year 6 work independently.

 

Useful Websites:

https://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/  lots of fiction and non-fiction book recommendations and excerpts. Search for your chosen subject/topic.

http://www.topmarks.co.uk/  Contains links to interactive resources based on all subject areas.

http://www.sparklebox.co.uk/ http://www.childrensuniversity.manchester.ac.uk/  A very odd combination of random Science, History, Art and Literacy activities but interactive and fun!

http://www.coxhoe.durham.sch.uk/  Go to ‘curriculum’ and choose the subject you are interested in – there are links to many other sites with plenty of interactive resources.

http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/   Plenty of worksheets and PowerPoint presentations covering most of the core areas of the curriculum.

http://www.crickweb.co.uk/  Fun and useful interactive activities for most subjects as well as games for the children.

 

 

Geography

http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/  – weird and wonderful facts for geography, links to a wide variety of countries (ideal for projects), fun things children can make and do

http://www.upd8.org.uk/climate-futures – climate change resources and information for use in class

http://learn.christianaid.org.uk/TeachersResources/primary/crazyclimate.aspx  – Crazy Climate

http://powerdown.actionaid.org.uk /  – Power Down: Climate change and energy resources

http://www.teachshare.org.uk/  – online resource of links for environmental issues

https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/NGfLCymru

https://support.wwf.org.uk/kids-space

https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/teacher-category/geography/ https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z2f3cdm

https://www.geography.org.uk/teaching-resources/early-years-and-primary-resources http://www.geography-map-games.com/

https://www.booksfortopics.com/geography

https://www.scoilnet.ie/primary/theme-pages/geography/

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/learn-about/met-office-for-schools/other-content/other-resources/are-you-obsessed-with-the-weather

 

History

http://www.heritage-explorer.co.uk/web/he/default.aspx  – images and photos for use in history lessons from different time periods

http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/  – research and enquiry skills – English history

http://www.3dhistory.co.uk/roundHouse.html  – 3D Celtic roundhouse; how to make your own

https://www.history.org.uk/primary/resource/3620/primary-topic-websites  https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/teacher-category/history/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zcw76sg http://www.primaryhomeworkhelp.co.uk/history/index.html

https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/class-clips-video/geography-ks2-ks3-seriously-raleigh/zhk3nrd Walter Raleigh video series

https://www.booksfortopics.com/reading-for-pleasure

 

Key documents:

Educational Visits

FS2 Topics New Curriculum 2021

History Map- Powerpoint