History & Geography

HISTORY

History is concerned with the lives and behaviour of people who actually lived. It is an enquiry into the activities of people in time and seeks to explain, from the evidence which survives, why they behaved as they did, what caused the events in which they were involved to happen and how they, and their lives, were changed by events.

Pupils are given opportunities to develop an awareness of the past and of the ways in which it is different from the present.

They are helped to set their study of the past in a chronological framework and to understand some of the ways in which we find out about the past e.g. through artefacts, features of the environment, pictures and stories, photographs, visits and visitors, ICT and citizenship.

 Areas of study for Key Stage 1 include the everyday work, leisure and culture of men, women and children in the past. Pupils have opportunities to investigate:

  • changes in their own lives and those of their family or adults around them
  • aspects of the way of life of people in Britain in the past, beyond living memory
  • significant historical events, people and places

Pupils are taught about the lives of famous men and women, including personalities drawn from British history and about events from Britain’s past.

At Key Stage 2 (7 – 11years), pupils are taught about important episodes and developments in Britain’s past, from the Stone Age to modern times, about ancient civilizations and the history of other parts of the world. They are taught an understanding of the social, cultural, religious and ethnic diversity of societies studied in Britain and the wider world. They are helped to develop a chronological framework by making links across the different themes and topics. They have opportunities to investigate local history and to learn about the past from a range of sources.

Visits And Visitors!
Year 2 went to The British Motor Museum to learn about how vehicles have changed over time.
Year 3 had a visit from Titus Iustus, a Roman soldier.  They learnt all about life in the Roman army.

GEOGRAPHY

Geography helps pupils to make sense of their surroundings and gain a better appreciation and understanding of the variety of physical and human conditions on the earth’s surface.

At Finstall First School, geography is often organised around activities and topics. The Programmes of Study are centred around four broad areas;

  • Locational knowledge
  • Place knowledge
  • Human and Physical Geography
  • Geographical skills and field work

The most appropriate learning is through first-hand experience and observation, which will enable the children to develop a knowledge and understanding of places, patterns and processes, environmental change and sustainable development. This is supported by the use of world maps, atlases, and globes which help to develop the pupils’ knowledge and understanding of the world we live in.

This knowledge will be strengthened by a study of the children’s locality and a range of places and environments in different parts of the world.

In July, a Geography Day was held. The theme for the day was the Commonwealth following the coronation of King Charles III. Each year group looked at a different Commonwealth country. They located their country and found out about the human and physical features of that place.