History

Our intention at Hayes is to ensure complete coverage of subject-based knowledge, from Reception to Year 6, that is outlined in the national curriculum within the broad and balanced curriculum and within our learning experience themes. 

We will embed the core historical skills that are required as primary level historians in each chronological era that we cover, whilst encouraging a curiosity about the past. Each lesson should include evidence of a progressive knowledge of British or world history that is taught using one or of the historical skills identified within the National Curriculum. The children should be enthusiastic and engaged with the topic and showing a real thirst for historical knowledge and understanding.  Each pupil will leave Hayes School with a broad chronological understanding and knowledge of British and world history. They will possess the core historical skills of investigation, questioning, critical thinking, analysis, perspective and judgement.

Weekly, high quality, inspiring lessons (during half terms when history is a driver subject) taught by teachers with an expert knowledge of the subject.  Appropriate vocabulary used by both the teacher and the children at every suitable opportunity throughout the half term when history is a driver subject.

Appropriate vocabulary included within the semantic field for writing, creating cross-curricular opportunities for core skills and content to be taught. 

Knowledge and skills are planned and taught systematically and in broadly chronological order.  Children given opportunities to develop their independent enquiry skills within each topic (including further developing the skills of children working at greater depth and creating opportunities for inclusion).  In Key Stage Two, each stage of the progression in the teaching of British history will be covered in a broadly chronological order, therefore building on the historical knowledge of previous topics.

There will be a strong element of local history built into all units of study.

The themes of British history, achievements of earlier civilisations, ancient Greece and a non-European society will be carefully allocated to ensure the best outcome that these separate themes can ensure.

Reception were excited to have a visit from a member of staff from Torquay Museum. The children had been learning all about fossils and dinosaurs and impressed our visitor when they were able to use the word palaeontologist correctly. The children were able to use their senses to develop and extend their historical knowledge further by searching for fossils in the sand, creating their own fossils out of clay and investigating how the earth changes over time using jelly and crackers as lava and tectonic plates.

Year One have been comparing photographs of the same location in Paignton 100 years ago to those now. We looked hard to see any changes that had occurred and then discussed why those changes may have occurred.

Year One had fun exploring photographs of the interiors of houses from 80 years ago (Within living memory) . We were surprised to see they had television back then but a little shocked to think that the toilet might have been in a shed in the garden!

When looking at the local history of Paignton we searched for the locations of the significant historical buildings in Paignton and then ordered them chronologically in a timeline.

Whilst looking at the lives of  Neil Armstrong/Mae Jemison (The lives of significant individuals in the past who have contributed to national and international achievements.) Year 2 prepared some of the dried meals that the astronauts would have eaten on their space missions.

In our Ancient Egypt learning experience Year 3 recreated the mummification processes on tomatoes!

We also completed a case study of the stone age settlement at Skara Brae.

Year 4 have been studying the civilisation of ancient Rome and its foundation story of ‘Romulus and Remus .’

This year we have really enjoyed finding out about the Egyption Gods and Goddesses.

In the learning experience of Medicine Through Time (Study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066) Year 6 have exploring the significant events and individuals in the development of medicine within Britain. 

Year 6  have been looking at World War 2.The experience of our local area and people during WW2 and transformative events,such as D-Day.

Year 1 

‘I liked looking at the old photos to see how things had changed in Paignton’

Year 2

‘Both topics were very interesting.I did’nt know Neil Armstrong was the first human on the moon or that a great fire was in London in 1666’.

‘I love learning about the galaxies and how the planets work’

Year 3

‘I found the cave painting really interesting and the fact they are still around now’

Year 4

‘I like the way the Romans liked to use cobwebs to stop bleeding’

‘How they built the massive Roman Empire was great to find out about’.

Year 6-

‘ I found D-Day and the invasion of France very interesting because of all the preparations and how it lead to the end of the war’.

‘Finding out how different medicines were made was fascinating, with chemicals, plants from the rainforest and mould !’

Enrichment:

Visits from Torquay museum.

Visit from the RNLI

Visit to Brownstone Battery

Visit of the Space Lab

Visit to Paignton Fire Station