Subject Leader: Miss Nisbet
1. Our History Curriculum
At Coalbrookdale & Ironbridge CE Primary school, our history curriculum helps children explore big questions about the past and understand how it shapes the world today. We follow the National Curriculum, enriched with our local heritage in the Ironbridge Gorge, to make learning meaningful and exciting.
- In Key Stage 1, pupils learn about significant people and events and begin to think about how these have influenced life today.
- In Key Stage 2, children journey through British history from the Stone Age to 1066 and discover the impact of ancient civilizations around the world.
Lessons are enquiry-based and include discussion, drama, art, and reflection, helping pupils develop curiosity, critical thinking, and respect for different cultures. We make learning inclusive for all children, including those with SEND, by adapting resources and providing extra support where needed.
Our curriculum is enriched through trips, workshops, and assemblies marking important historical events. These experiences build cultural capital and help pupils appreciate diversity, empathy, and community values. By the time they leave us, children have a strong understanding of chronology, historical evidence, and continuity and change—skills that prepare them for secondary school and beyond.
2. Subject Vision and Intent
History at Coalbrookdale & Ironbridge CE Primary School enables pupils to explore big questions about our own and shared histories and the world around us. Following the National Curriculum guidance, our History curriculum allows children to learn more about significant people and events. In Key Stage One, children begin to reflect on how this might have impacted us today. In Key Stage Two, children are taken chronologically through the ages, looking at British History from the Stone Age to 1066, as well as focusing on the impact of Ancient Civilizations across the world.
Through our teaching, pupils can deepen their understanding of chronology, sources and historical facts and build crucial cultural capital, enabling them, when they move on to secondary school, to understand continuity and change across history. Our History curriculum contributes to pupils’ social and cultural development and helps them flourish as individuals who can live well together in a diverse world.
3. Implementation — How the Curriculum Is Delivered
At Coalbrookdale & Ironbridge CE Primary School, humanities are taught for one hour a week. Each year group follows a plan and will focus on an enquiry-based history topic for one half term, and a geography topic for the next half term. We follow the national curriculum for History, adapted to suit our children. This means that where possible, topics are linked to our own rich heritage in the Ironbridge Gorge. Lessons are enquiry-based and include discussion, art, drama, reflection and written responses. Teachers adapt resources to meet the needs of all learners, ensuring that children with SEND are supported through scaffolded tasks, visual prompts and additional adult guidance. Whole-school assemblies marking important historical events, trips and in-school workshops further enrich the curriculum and bring learning to life.
4. Inclusion and SEND
History is for everyone. Lessons are designed to be inclusive and accessible, promoting respect and understanding of different beliefs and cultures. Children with SEND access the same rich discussions and experiences as their peers, with adapted materials to match their learning needs. We ensure all pupils can express their ideas in different ways – through talk, creative responses or sensory activities. This inclusive approach allows every child to succeed and develop confidence in exploring our shared history.
5. Personal Development and Cultural Capital
History plays a vital role in children’s personal development by helping them make sense of their world, appreciate diversity and reflect on moral choices. Pupils learn to be curious, open-minded and respectful of others, developing empathy and understanding of global issues.
Our Christian values are woven throughout the curriculum, supporting pupils to become compassionate citizens who live out respect and responsibility. Opportunities such as visiting local historical sites (Ironbridge Gorge Museums) and working on local history projects (Coalbrookdale Ferry Disaster) enrich pupils’ cultural capital and deepen their understanding of community and belonging.
6. Impact — Monitoring, Evidence and Outcomes
Monitoring includes lesson observations, pupil voice, book looks and planning reviews. Evidence shows that pupils enjoy History, engage in thoughtful discussions and demonstrate strong recall of key knowledge and ideas which track across the curriculum year by year. We aim to build on the children’s knowledge from EYFS – Year 6, so will always reflect back on what has been learnt previously before we start a new topic. Assessment at the end of each unit tracks pupils’ understanding of key knowledge and concepts. Progress is evident through written and verbal responses that show increasing depth of reflection and understanding. Next steps include developing greater opportunities for pupils to make cross-curricular links between History and the other foundation subjects.
7. Subject Leadership and Development
As Humanities subject lead, I work closely with staff to ensure high-quality teaching and consistency across the school. Through staff meetings and professional development, teachers have been provided with practical insights, activity ideas and strategies to adapt lessons for pupils with SEND. Good practice is shared through collaborative discussions and planning reviews, aligning with the long-term history overview and whole-school priorities in the School Development Plan. This approach strengthens staff confidence, promotes inclusive teaching, and ensures that History continues to flourish as part of our collective improvement journey.