Intent

At Coombe Hill Infant School, we provide a high-quality history education that inspires curiosity and helps children develop a secure understanding of the past. Our curriculum builds the foundations of historical thinking by nurturing a sense of chronology and supporting children to organise and make sense of historical events, people, and places.

Our history curriculum develops cultural capital by celebrating both our shared cultural heritage and the diverse histories represented within our school community. Children learn about significant individuals and events from Britain and the wider world, while also developing an understanding of the history of our local area and how it has changed over time.

Implementation 

In Reception, history is taught through Understanding the World. Children learn to talk about past and present events in their own lives and in the lives of family members. They explore similarities and differences between life now and in the past using artefacts, photographs, stories, and role play. A child-led approach allows them to investigate meaningful events and celebrations such as Bonfire Night, Diwali and Christmas. This encourages curiosity, discussion, and the early development of historical enquiry skills.

In Key Stage 1, children follow a carefully sequenced curriculum that introduces them to local history, significant individuals, and key national events. Learning is structured to build a secure sense of chronology and to help children make connections across different periods of time. Lessons are practical, engaging and enquiry-led, using artefacts, storytelling, drama, creative tasks, and visits to museums and historical sites to bring the past to life.

Across EYFS and KS1, teachers model ambitious vocabulary and provide regular opportunities for speaking and listening, supporting children to use historical language with increasing confidence. Key vocabulary and concepts are revisited frequently to strengthen memory and understanding. Children are supported to think like historians by asking and answering questions, examining evidence, and communicating what they have learned in a variety of forms.

By ensuring history is immersive, active and connected to children’s own experiences, we enable all pupils to become curious, confident learners with a growing understanding of the past and its influence on life today.

Impact

By the end of Year 2, pupils leave Coombe Hill Infant School as confident young historians who understand how the past has shaped the world today and are excited to continue exploring History. They will be able to describe key events, compare life now with the past, talk confidently using common historical words and phrases, and begin to understand different ways of finding out about the past.