Exploring the Past, Understanding Our World

At Winford Church of England Primary School, we want children to develop a curiosity about the past and understand how history has shaped the world we live in today.

Through our History curriculum, children explore the lives of people, significant events and civilisations from different periods. They learn how societies have changed, why important events happened and how the past continues to influence our lives.

We follow the Lighthouse Schools Partnership (LSP) History Curriculum, which provides a carefully sequenced approach to developing historical knowledge, understanding and skills from Reception to Year 6.

Our Christian vision, Together we Flourish, and our values of Aspire, Belong and Care encourage children to respect different cultures and experiences, appreciate the contributions of others and develop a deeper understanding of the communities to which they belong.

Our History Curriculum

Our curriculum is organised around four important historical concepts. These are revisited throughout children's time at Winford, helping them build knowledge, make connections and understand how events and developments are linked across different periods.

1. Trade and Settlements

Understanding how people have lived, worked and developed communities over time.

Children investigate why people settled in particular places, how communities developed and the influence of trade on people's lives.

Their learning includes:

• How communities and settlements have changed.

• Life in Britain during the Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age.

• The importance of resources, agriculture and trade.

• The history of trade in Bristol, including its involvement in the transatlantic slave trade.

• How historical events and individuals have shaped the communities we know today.

2. Empires and Civilisations

Exploring how civilisations developed and the impact they have had on the world.

Children learn about significant civilisations, their achievements, beliefs and ways of life.

They consider how civilisations grew, what made them successful and the legacies they have left behind.

Their learning includes:

• The beliefs and lives of people in Ancient Egypt.

• The Roman Empire and its impact on Britain.

• The Kingdom of Benin and the significance of the Benin Bronzes.

• Ancient Greece and the development of democracy.

• Comparing different civilisations and their influence on the modern world.

3. Invasion, Migration and Peace

Understanding why people have moved, settled and come into conflict throughout history.

Children explore the reasons for invasion and migration and how these events have shaped societies and communities.

Their learning includes:

• Anglo-Saxon settlement in Britain.

• Viking invasions and their impact.

• The experiences of different groups during the Second World War.

• The Windrush Generation and its contribution to Bristol and modern Britain.

• The development of early Islamic civilisation and Baghdad as the 'City of Peace'.

4. Technology and Innovation

Understanding how inventions, discoveries and significant individuals have changed people's lives.

Children investigate how technological developments have influenced communication, transport, healthcare and everyday life.

Their learning includes:

• Changes in communication over time.

• Victorian seaside holidays compared with holidays today.

• The contributions of Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole to nursing.

• Isambard Kingdom Brunel's engineering achievements in Bristol.

• How ships and seafaring have changed over time.

These four concepts help children understand that history is not simply a collection of dates and events, but a connected story of people, places, ideas and change.

History in Reception

In Reception, children begin to develop their understanding of the past through the Early Years Foundation Stage area of Understanding the World – Past and Present.

Children explore their own lives, families and communities, beginning to recognise similarities and differences between the past and present.

They explore questions such as:

• Who am I?

• Who are the people who help us in our community?

Through stories, photographs, conversations and play, children learn about family histories, familiar people and how everyday life can change over time.

These experiences help children develop an early understanding of chronology and provide the foundations for learning History in Key Stage 1.

History in Key Stage 1

In Years 1 and 2, children develop an understanding of the past through significant people, events and changes within and beyond living memory.

Learning includes a strong local focus, helping children connect historical events with familiar places in Bristol and the South West.

Year 1 – Changes, Events and Everyday Life

Children investigate:

• How has technology impacted how people stay in contact with each other?

• What were the causes of the Great Fire of London and what was the impact of this event?

• What is similar and different between holidays in the past and holidays today?

Children learn how communication has changed, explore the causes and consequences of the Great Fire of London, and compare Victorian seaside holidays with holidays today.

Year 2 – Significant People and Local History

Children investigate:

• What impact did Mary Seacole and Florence Nightingale have on nursing?

• What was Brunel's legacy in Bristol?

• How has seafaring changed over time and why?

Children explore how significant individuals have influenced the world, including improvements in nursing and Brunel's engineering achievements.

They also investigate Bristol's maritime history, comparing ships such as The Matthew and the SS Great Britain.

History in Key Stage 2

In Key Stage 2, children develop a more detailed chronological understanding of British and world history.

They investigate how societies have developed, examine historical evidence and consider the causes, consequences and significance of important events.

Year 3 – Early Britain and Ancient Egypt

Children investigate:

• What changed in Britain during the Stone Age?

• How did life change in Britain during the Bronze and Iron Age?

• What were the beliefs of the Ancient Egyptians and how are these different to what different religions believe today?

Children explore how life developed in prehistoric Britain, including changes in settlements, agriculture, tools and trade.

They also learn about Ancient Egyptian beliefs and how religion influenced everyday life.

Year 4 – Romans, Anglo-Saxons and Vikings

Children investigate:

• What was the Roman Empire and what was its impact on Britain?

• What changed after the Romans left?

• Why did the Vikings come to the British Isles and what was the impact?

Children explore how invasion, settlement and migration shaped Britain.

They investigate the lasting influence of the Romans, changes during the Anglo-Saxon period and the impact of Viking raids and settlement.

Year 5 – Bristol, Benin and Ancient Greece

Children investigate:

• Why is trade significant to the city of Bristol?

• Why have people argued about the Benin Bronzes?

• How did Ancient Greece influence modern day democracy?

Children explore Bristol's trading history, including its connections to the transatlantic slave trade and the contested legacy of Edward Colston.

They learn about the Kingdom of Benin, considering different perspectives on the Benin Bronzes, and investigate the influence of Ancient Greek democracy on modern society.

Year 6 – World War Two, Windrush and Early Islamic Civilisation

Children investigate:

• How did people's experiences differ during World War 2?

• Who are the Windrush Generation and what is their legacy?

• How did Baghdad become the 'City of Peace'?

Children investigate the different experiences of people during the Second World War, including those on the Home Front.

They explore the experiences and contributions of the Windrush Generation, with a particular focus on Bristol, including the Bristol Bus Boycott.

They also study early Islamic civilisation and the development of Baghdad as an important centre of learning and culture.

Learning Through Historical Enquiry

Asking Questions, Exploring Evidence and Developing Understanding

Every History unit is organised around an enquiry question.

Children build the knowledge and understanding needed to answer this question through carefully sequenced lessons.

Rather than simply memorising facts about historical periods, they learn to investigate why events happened, what changed and how we know about the past.

They are encouraged to ask questions such as:

• What happened, and why?

• How did people's lives change?

• What was similar or different?

• Why was this person or event significant?

• What can historical sources tell us?

• Why might people interpret the same event differently?

At the end of each unit, children demonstrate their understanding by answering the enquiry question through a discussion, debate, presentation or written outcome.

This approach helps children develop the confidence to explain their historical thinking using evidence and accurate vocabulary.

Developing Historical Skills

Throughout their time at Winford, children develop the skills historians use to investigate and understand the past.

These include:

• Chronology – Understanding the order of events and how different historical periods connect.

• Historical enquiry – Asking questions and investigating what happened in the past.

• Using sources – Exploring objects, photographs, documents and other evidence.

• Interpretation – Understanding that different accounts of the past may exist and considering why.

• Cause and consequence – Explaining why events happened and what changed as a result.

• Similarity, difference and change – Comparing life across different periods and societies.

• Historical significance – Considering why particular people, events and developments are remembered.

• Communication – Explaining findings through discussion, writing, timelines, presentations and debate.

These skills develop progressively. Younger children begin by recognising differences between the past and present, while older children learn to evaluate sources, consider contrasting interpretations and construct more detailed historical explanations.

Exploring Our Local History

Our location near Bristol provides valuable opportunities for children to explore the rich history of the South West.

Local history is an important part of our curriculum, helping children understand how events in the past have shaped the places and communities around them.

Throughout their time at Winford, children learn about:

• Victorian seaside holidays, with Weston-super-Mare providing a local connection.
• Brunel's engineering achievements, including the Clifton Suspension Bridge and the Great Western Railway.
• Bristol's maritime history and the development of seafaring.
• Bristol's trading history and its involvement in the transatlantic slave trade.
• The experiences of people in the South West during the Second World War.
• The Windrush Generation and its contribution to Bristol's communities.

These studies help children connect local history with wider national and international events.

Helping Children Know More and Remember More

Our History curriculum is carefully sequenced so that children build on previous learning and develop a secure understanding of the past.

Lessons begin with opportunities to revisit important knowledge from previous lessons and units.

Children use knowledge organisers containing key information, vocabulary and images to support their learning.

Teachers use questioning, discussion, retrieval activities and regular assessment to check understanding and address misconceptions.

As children progress through school, they revisit important historical concepts in increasingly complex contexts, making connections between different periods and civilisations.

We want children not only to learn about the past but also to remember their learning, make connections and use their knowledge to explain historical events and developments.

Supporting Every Learner

We believe that every child should be able to access and succeed in History.

Teachers adapt learning to meet individual needs, using approaches such as:

• Visual resources, photographs and historical artefacts.

• Clear explanations and carefully introduced vocabulary.

• Structured activities and additional scaffolding.

• Opportunities for discussion and practical learning.

• Breaking complex information into manageable steps.

• Additional adult support where appropriate.

Children are encouraged to develop confidence in using historical evidence and explaining their ideas, while those ready for greater challenge explore more complex questions and different interpretations of the past.

Our aim is for every child to develop the knowledge, curiosity and skills needed to succeed as a historian.

How Parents Can Support History at Home

There are many simple ways to encourage children's interest in history beyond school.

• Talk about family history – Share stories and photographs of family members and discuss how life has changed.

• Visit historical places – Explore local museums, castles, historic buildings and heritage sites.

• Look at old photographs – Compare familiar places in the past with how they look today.

• Explore timelines – Help children understand when important events happened and how different periods connect.

• Read historical stories – Enjoy books about people, places and events from the past.

• Encourage questions – Discuss why events happened, how people lived and what we can learn from history.

Bristol and the surrounding area offer many opportunities to explore history together, including the SS Great Britain, Clifton Suspension Bridge and local museums.

Curriculum Information

Our History curriculum follows the Lighthouse Schools Partnership History Curriculum, which is aligned with the National Curriculum for England.

The curriculum provides a clear progression of historical knowledge and skills from Reception through to Year 6.

Further information about what children learn can be found in our year group curriculum overviews.

View Year Group Curriculum Overviews

 

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Together we Flourish

Aspire • Belong • Care

Exploring our past, understanding our present and shaping our future.