New history curriculum for primary schools

A new history curriculum for primary schools! That's exciting!

In the UK, the National Curriculum for History in primary schools has undergone changes in recent years. Here's an overview of the current curriculum and some key changes:

Current Curriculum (2014)

The current curriculum focuses on developing children's understanding of the past, its significance, and its relevance to their own lives. It emphasizes the importance of:

  1. Chronological understanding: Children learn about significant events and periods in British and world history, from ancient civilizations to the present day.
  2. Historical skills: Children develop skills such as questioning, research, and critical thinking to analyze and interpret historical evidence.
  3. Historical significance: Children learn to understand the significance of historical events and how they have shaped the world we live in today.

Key Changes (2020)

The new curriculum, introduced in 2020, builds upon the existing framework but with some significant changes:

  1. Greater emphasis on depth: The curriculum now focuses on developing deeper understanding and critical thinking skills, rather than just covering a wide range of topics.
  2. More emphasis on British history: The curriculum places greater emphasis on the study of British history, including the history of the British Empire and its impact on the world.
  3. Increased focus on historical skills: The curriculum highlights the importance of developing historical skills, such as analyzing evidence, evaluating sources, and making connections between different historical periods.
  4. More opportunities for cross-curricular links: The curriculum encourages teachers to make connections between history and other subjects, such as English, geography, and art.

Key Areas of Study

The new curriculum is organized around six key areas of study:

  1. Ancient Civilizations: Children learn about ancient civilizations, such as the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans.
  2. Medieval and Early Modern Britain: Children study the history of Britain from the Norman Conquest to the Industrial Revolution.
  3. British Empire and the World: Children learn about the British Empire and its impact on the world, including the transatlantic slave trade and colonialism.
  4. World History: Children study significant events and periods in world history, such as the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, and the Industrial Revolution.
  5. Local and National History: Children learn about local and national history, including the history of their own community and the history of Britain.
  6. Historical Skills and Interpretation: Children develop their historical skills and learn to interpret and analyze historical evidence.

Teaching and Learning Strategies

The curriculum encourages teachers to use a range of teaching and learning strategies, including:

  1. Storytelling: Teachers use stories and narratives to bring history to life and engage children.
  2. Role-play and drama: Children use role-play and drama to explore historical events and characters.
  3. Primary sources: Teachers use primary sources, such as artifacts, images, and documents, to help children understand historical events.
  4. Collaborative learning: Children work together to research, analyze, and present historical information.

Overall, the new history curriculum for primary schools aims to inspire children to develop a deeper understanding of the past, its significance, and its relevance to their own lives.