At Shinfield St Mary’s, we believe that high-quality history lessons inspire children to want to know more about the past; help children to understand their place in the world and develop a sense of who they are locally, nationally and globally and inspire children to think and act like historians – promoting curiosity and fascination. By making links to a range of topics, children have opportunities to investigate and interpret the past, understand chronology, build an overview of Britain’s past as well as that of the wider world, and be able to communicate historically.

We intend that our children will:

• Possess a secure understanding of the chronology of significant time periods and societies, in Britain and beyond.
• Think critically and analytically.
• Discover connections between the history they learn and the wider community today, helping them to appreciate diversity in the modern world and their place within it.
• Further their knowledge of continuity and change over time.
• Differentiate between source types and explain how and why interpretations in history may differ.
• Recognise similarities and differences within and across historical time periods.
• Conduct enquiries into historical themes and questions and form their own opinions and interpretation of the past based on evidence.