Flying Through the Past
In developing disciplinary knowledge, the intent is implemented through interrogating various interpretations of the past, evaluating how a single event can lead to a multitude of outcomes. In the photographs below, pupils have utilised their fundamental understanding that an action, event or condition produces a direct outcome.
A Train or Plane through History - EYFS
Using storytelling to explore transport through the ages, Reception pupils have begun to understand the consequences of early flight and how it revolutionised the way people navigate the globe. By examining obstacles faced by aviator pioneers - Bessie Coleman and Amelia Earhart, children recognised that their courage instigated a shift in societal roles. Pupils successfully linked the legacy of these historical figures to the modern world, reflecting on the impact of early aviation and its influence on contemporary transport systems.
Death, Taxes, (and School) - KS1
Y2 pupils have been examining life in the Victorian era and how educational reforms have influenced modern schooling. Through an immersive experience, pupils adopted the role of a Victorian child, and encountered the formality characterising nineteenth-century classrooms. Elements of Victorian leisure (traditional games and crafting peg dolls) were explored. Consequently, this approach strengthened their understanding of how historical educational practices shape the ethos and expectations of schooling today.
Roman through Empirical History - LKS1
In their examination of the causes and consequences of the expansion of the Roman Empire into Britain, Y4 pupils have engaged in mapping the shifting Empire borders over time, identifying how a desire for land and resources triggered the initial invasion. They explored the impact of the conquest on local tribes and investigated the period of recovery as Britain integrated into the Roman world. Through a study of daily life, children discovered how Roman infrastructure, engineering and culture transformed the landscape.
Strategies and Evacuees - UKS2
Through a rigorous study of the Dunkirk evacuation, Y6 pupils have considered the political and military circumstances that accelerated the crisis, analysing the strategic decisions made by leaders, whose wartime leadership proved pivotal. Through critical debate, pupils evaluated whether the evacuation should be regarded as a triumph of resilience and coordination (shaping national identity) or a consequence of strategic miscalculations. They developed the capacity to assess historical significance and recognised the enduring legacy of Dunkirk memorialised today.
