At Wynstream Primary, we want our children to develop a curiosity about the past and an understanding of how history shapes the world we live in today. Through engaging and carefully planned lessons, pupils become thoughtful historians who ask questions, analyse evidence and explore different perspectives.
Our curriculum is sequenced from EYFS to Year 6 to build secure chronological knowledge and deepen historical understanding over time.
In the Early Years, children begin by exploring the concepts of past and present through personal timelines, stories and discussions about change.
In Key Stage 1, pupils learn about significant individuals, important events and aspects of local history. Topics such as Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the monarchy and the Great Fire of London help children begin to understand historical significance and change over time.
In Key Stage 2, pupils study British history chronologically, including the Stone Age, Romans, Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, before moving on to later periods such as the Elizabethans, Victorians and World War II. They also explore Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece and the Kingdom of Benin, developing an understanding of world civilisations and global connections. Local history remains an important feature of the curriculum, particularly in upper Key Stage 2.
Throughout the school, pupils develop key historical concepts and skills, including:
- Cause and consequence
- Continuity and change
- Similarity and difference
- Significance
- Interpretation
By the time they leave Wynstream Primary, children have developed a coherent understanding of Britain’s past and its place in the wider world, alongside the confidence to think critically and reflect on different viewpoints.
