Intent Statement

At Woolton Primary School, we believe in fostering a rich understanding of local and global history, and we want our children to know how people and events have shaped the world we live in today. Through a rigorous, knowledge-based curriculum, children become equipped with the skills needed to think like historians. Our curriculum is carefully sequenced so that knowledge is built up each year, and progress is clearly seen from Early Years through to Year 6. We achieve this by focusing on key areas within our planning, as follows:

• Building a secure understanding of chronology
• Exploring cause and consequence
• Teaching, revisiting and expanding historical vocabulary
• Thematic learning: making connections between people, places and events from different periods throughout history
• Reading increasingly rich historical texts for different purposes

In Early Years and Key Stage 1, we begin with changes in living memory and an understanding of significant historical people and their impact on the world. Throughout Key Stage 2, this firm foundation is developed as children engage with thousands of years of global history. A number of year groups complete a local area study, discovering and celebrating Liverpool’s rich cultural heritage. Each topic is planned and taught to ignite curiosity and a desire to learn more about the past and the world around them.

We believe that a deep understanding of local and global history is essential in developing a sense of place, belonging and self-identity. Through high-quality history teaching, our pupils learn to respect diversity, learn from other cultures, and gain skills they can use throughout their education.

Implementation Statement

The WPS History curriculum is carefully sequenced and knowledge-rich, ensuring progression and clear connections between topics and time periods. Lessons develop both substantive knowledge (facts and concepts) and disciplinary knowledge (historical enquiry skills), allowing pupils to build confidence and competence over time.

Early Years: Children develop a sense of chronology, sequencing events, exploring changes within living memory, and comparing the past and present. They engage with photos and artefacts to begin building historical understanding.

Key Stage 1: Pupils study significant historical figures and events beyond living memory, explore cause and consequence, and develop historical vocabulary. By the end of KS1, they make connections between their learning and the world today.

Key Stage 2: Our Opening Worlds curriculum is delivered through six-week units, supported by timelines and thematic links. Pupils are encouraged to connect periods of history, use historical terminology confidently, and engage in rich storytelling. They complete a variety of tasks, including writing, art, and drama, to embed knowledge and make learning meaningful.

Enrichment: Pupils experience trips to museums and historical sites, such as the World Museum (Year 3, Ancient Egypt) and Chester (Year 4, Roman Britain), bringing history to life.

Inclusion: The curriculum is adapted to meet the strengths and needs of all learners. Support may include pre-teaching of texts, storyboards, videos, vocabulary mats, drama activities, or alternative ways to record learning. High expectations are maintained for all pupils.

Impact Statement

The WPS History curriculum fosters a love of history and develops knowledge and skills that pupils can apply across all areas of learning. By the end of their primary journey, children demonstrate enthusiasm for the subject and confidently talk about their learning across the years. WPS pupils think like historians: they analyse sources critically, weigh up different interpretations and question evidence rather than taking it at face value.

By the end of Year 6, pupils have a secure understanding of key historical concepts such as empires, conquest, politics, governmental structures and migration. They understand chronology and how events have shaped the world over time. They make meaningful links between local and global history and use a strong historical vocabulary to articulate their learning. Knowledge is retained and built upon year on year.

Impact is measured through formative assessment, learning walks, book looks, regular monitoring against National Curriculum expectations, summative assessment tasks and purposeful questioning. Pupil voice is also central in evaluating impact, ensuring that learners can confidently discuss their historical understanding.

Through our ambitious and carefully sequenced curriculum, we ensure that pupils leave WPS with a lasting interest in history and a deeper understanding of the world around them.