History

History Curriculum 

History is an important part of the curriculum. In learning about our past we can understand why we live the way we do. Building layers of knowledge, students can understand their place in the world and how the past affects them today.

Our History curriculum at The Abbey School is ambitious as we cover subjects from the national curriculum so our students have the same experiences as their mainstream peers but the teaching methods are inclusive and personalised to ensure all students progress at their own pace and all gain the most from lessons. Knowledge of key facts and skills are revisited to support embedding. 

The History curriculum at The Abbey school is broad and balanced. The termly topics are enriched with one off lessons covering annual events and topical subjects for example Black History Month or the life of Queen Elizabeth II. 

•  In Year 7 KS2 topics are revisited to foster an enjoyment of history to build confidence and to extend the learning of how these Ancient Civilisations can have a lasting impact on our present lives. 

• In Years 8 and 9 students at The Abbey experience a range of topics to develop a broad understanding of important historical periods in the history of Britain. To develop student’s independent retrieval skills to help them engage with their learning. Students also begin to understand how history develops over specific time 1745 – to Modern Day. To support pupils to see how change and progress helped develop Modern Britain.

• The Key skills covered in KS3 are independent writing skills to create biographies and  independent retrieval skills.  These skills are revisited in each topic and are taught through the study of different time periods: Medieval Britain 1066 – 1509,  Tudors and Stuart 1509 – 1745, 1745 – to Modern Day. 

• In Key Stage 4 some students choose History as an option and study for Entry Level qualifications. A range of topics are  taught that help to develop and deeper understanding of important historical periods. Key Skills that are covered in KS4 are: Independent retrieval skills, independent writing skills to create biographies. 

• In Key Stage 4 students understand how history develops over a specific time whether in Medicine, Health or International relations. This supports pupils to see how change and progress is made or how international issues and conflicts arise and how they can or cannot be resolved.

Supporting Reading

Subject disciplinary literacy is taught explicitly in History with key words identified and introduced at the start of topics and revisited regularly to aid retention. Specific key words are highlighted in green to give focus in each lesson. Words mats, matching words, supporting images and examples are all used to introduce key vocabulary. Repetition of new and key vocabulary is used to support learning and to give students context to use these words.

In History, the ‘incidental teaching’ of phonics using Abbey Phonics supports both decoding and encoding. Scripts are used to give a consistent approach across the school. 

Where possible, stories are used to bring ideas to life, to give context to learning and to support retention. 

Widgit symbols are used in addition to text to support comprehension for students when reading.

In History, we provide regular opportunities for students to read a range of different texts from various different sources. We encourage students to read for learning, moving beyond the mechanics of reading to gathering meaning and information from the text. We also give recommendations of reading materials to encourage reading beyond the classroom.

Students have access to headsets & Chromebooks where they can use the dictation feature or use the Select to Speak tool, reading selected text to the user.

Year 7 Overview

Year 8 & 9 Overview

Cycle 1

Cycle 2

Year 10 & 11 Overview

Cycle 1/ Year 10

Cycle 2/ Year 11

Assessment

In Key stage 3 Students are assessed at the end of each topic with an end of topic assessment. These are differentiated to individual students' needs and abilities. As well as ongoing assessment at the end of each lesson to ensure Students have understood the material that has been covered. 

On top of this In Key Stage 4, students study for an Entry Level Certificate Qualification.

Enrichment Opportunities

The curriculum is brought to life by the use of artefacts and re-enacting where possible. High quality Videos  accounts, from trusted sources are used regularly to help students to understand how life was in different eras. 

National days and weeks are marked by specific lessons, assemblies or other events.