History at St James aims to teach a set of core ideas that will enable all students to experience a personal sense of awe and wonder when describing and explaining the world around them and it’s history. We aim to instil an excitement for history, which inspires a curiosity to learn more about the past. 

We aim to give children an understanding of the world around them whilst substantive knowledge is chronological, aligned to the National Curriculum, and prepares children for Key Stage 3. Disciplinary knowledge is taught alongside substantive knowledge and is revisited and developed across KS1 and KS2. Using and interpreting sources and evidence is embedded in all units across the school. 

At St James', History is taught using our whole school progression document. Within each lesson, opportunities for formative assessment are provided and teachers continually adapt their lesson delivery to address misconceptions and ensure that children are keeping up with the content. 

Our History Curriculum is high quality, well-sequenced and is planned to demonstrate progression. Our History curriculum aims to help equip children with the knowledge and skills that they need to be able to actively question information and make judgements about the reliability of the sources around them. Children will be able to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, arguments, and develop perspective and judgement.