Intent

Learning history unlocks our curiosity and builds knowledge and understanding of not just Britain’s past but that of the wider world. Learning about our past inspires our children’s curiosity and helps equip them with the skills to think critically, weigh up evidence and arguments, form an opinion and make judgements based on their learning and research.  

implementation

At Bosmere Primary School we aim for our pupils to have an extensive base of historical knowledge and vocabulary. The way in which we approach history is built around the principles of advancing cumulative knowledge, chronology, change through cause and consequence, as well as making connections within and throughout the periods of time studied.

From Year 1 to Year 6, associated historical vocabulary is planned sequentially and cumulatively, incorporating a range of modules that revisit, elaborate and explore sophisticated key concepts, events, people and places whilst bringing history alive for our children. 

We use the CUSP history curriculum.

The curriculum structure is built around the principles of advancing cumulative knowledge, chronology, change through cause and consequence, as well as making connections within and throughout periods of time studied. CUSP History is planned so that the retention of knowledge is much more than just ‘in the moment knowledge’.

The cumulative nature of the curriculum is made memorable by the implementation of Bjork’s desirable difficulties, including retrieval and spaced retrieval practice, word building and deliberate practice tasks. This powerful interrelationship between structure and research-led practice is designed to increase substantive knowledge and accelerate learning within and between study modules. That means the foundational knowledge of the curriculum is positioned to ease the load on the working memory: new content is connected to prior learning. The effect of this cumulative model supports opportunities for children to associate and connect with significant periods of time, people, places and events. CUSP History strategically incorporates a range of modules that revisit, elaborate and sophisticate key concepts, events, people and places.