The teaching of History and Geography at Gilbrook is delivered through the use of Cornerstones Topics which are delivered over a 3 year rolling programme. Each key stage has its own programme. Each topic has a main focus which is either science, history or geography based but within most there are sub focuses for history or geography. At the end of each programme the topics are reviewed to see if they have been successful in meeting the objectives of the National Curriculum and more importantly that the children have enjoyed them and been able to access them effectively. A table of the topics are at the end of this item with their relevant history or geography focus.
Also as part of our ongoing strive to ensure aspects of the National Curriculum are covered each subject leader will annually choose a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) for geography and history. These are sequential developmental skills which form a focus for targeting a specific geography or history objective and are used to assess progress using our assessment program Target Tracker. This progress is monitored by the subject leader through discussions with staff and work scrutinies.
History
Our history curriculum aims to inspire our pupils’ curiosity to know more about the past. History helps pupils to understand the process of change, the diversity of societies as well as their own identity and the challenges of their time. Visits to historical sites and museums are carried out to support topic work whenever possible and visitors are encouraged to come into school to share their knowledge and experiences. In History, the teaching of ‘time’, movement of time,and linking events across time periods is carried out in appropriate classes. Staff are aware that some children, particularly those with ASC, may find the concept of time difficult and may need to revisit it consistently. Gradually as thechild become more mature and or able, they concentrate on past events, lifestyles and activities of people in the past.
The National Curriculum programmes of study which we currently aim to cover within our topics are;
KSI
- Changes within living memory. Where appropriate, these should be used to reveal aspects of change in national life
- Events beyond living memory that are significant nationally or globally [for example, the Great Fire of London.
- The lives of significant individuals in the past who have contributed to national and international achievements such as Neil Armstrong and Mary Seacole
- Significant historical events, people and places in their own locality
KS2
- The Viking and Anglo-Saxon struggle for the Kingdom of England to the time of Edward the Confessor. This also encompasses a local history study of the Wirral.
- a study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066-Tudors and 2WW
- the achievements of the earliest civilizations – an overview of where and when the first civilizations appeared and a depth study of the following: Ancient Egypt
- Ancient Greece – a study of Greek life and achievements and their influence on the western world
Other programmes of study required by the National Curriculum and not covered here are form part of our review process.
Current KPI
- I can understand key features of events and talk about them
- I can talk about famous people from the past and what they have done
- I can provide an account of an historical event
- I can describe and understand a range of societies from the past
Geography
At our school it is our intention that Geography will inspire pupils with a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people that will remain with them throughout their lives. We aim to offer opportunities for children to explore the world in order to develop an understanding of the human and physical world in which they live in and their place within it. We aim to promote the children’s interest and understanding about diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments, together with a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes.
It is our intention that Geography will promote children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development helping them to have a greater understanding of their place in the world, and their rights and responsibilities to other people and the environment. We encourage the children to ask questions about the world and provide opportunities for them to develop geographical skills and knowledge to be able to answer them.
The National Curriculum programmes of study which we aim to cover within our topics are;
KS1
- Locational knowledge-locating and naming cities and countries and some habitats
- Place knowledge – understand geographical similarities and differences through studying the human and physical geography of a small area of the United Kingdom, and of a small area in a contrasting non-European country
- Human and physical geography – identify seasonal and daily weather patterns in the United Kingdom and the location of hot and cold areas of the world in relation to the Equator and the North and South Poles
- Geographical skills and fieldwork – use world maps, atlases and globes to identify the United Kingdom and its countries, as well as the countries, continents and oceans studied at this key stage
Use simple compass directions (North, South, East and West) and locational and directional language [for example, near and far; left and right], to describe the location of features and routes on a map
KS2
- Locational knowledge- locate the world’s countries, using maps to focus on Europe (including the location ofRussia) and North and South America, concentrating on their environmental regions, key physical and human characteristics, countries, and major cities and name and locate counties and cities of the United Kingdom, geographical regions and
their identifying human and physical characteristics, key topographical features (including hills, mountains, coasts and rivers), and land-use patterns; and understand how some of these aspects have changed over time.
- Place knowledge- understand geographical similarities and differences through the study of human andphysical geography of a region of the United Kingdom, a region in a European country,and a region within North or South America
- Human and physical geography – describe and understand key aspects of: physical geography, including: climate zones, biomes and vegetation belts, rivers,mountains, volcanoes and earthquakes, and the water cycle
: human geography- including: types of settlement and land use, economic activityincluding trade links, and the distribution of natural resources including energy,food, minerals and water.
Geography – key stages 1 and 2
- Geographical skills and fieldwork – use maps, atlases, globes and digital/computer mapping to locate countries anddescribe features studied
Use the eight points of a compass, four and six-figure grid references, symbols and key (including the use of Ordnance Survey maps) to build their knowledge of the United Kingdom and the wider world
Use fieldwork to observe, measure, record and present the human and physical features in the local area using a range of methods, including sketch maps, plans and graphs, and digital technologies.
Other programmes of study required by the National Curriculum and not covered here are form part of our review process.
Current KPI
- I can name, describe and compare places I know
- I can make simple maps.
- I can use simple compass directions- N/S/E/W and locational and directional language e.g near/far
- I can use the 8 points of a compass
- I can understand why there are similarities and differences between places
- I can develop my mapping skills, use world maps, atlases and globes
- I can compare the physical features of a region of the UK and a region somewhere else in the world identifying similarities and differences
- I can develop my mapping
KS1
Year 1 2019/2020
| Title | Focus | |
| 1 | The Enchanted Woodland | Science
Geography-Making maps |
| 2 | Great Fire of London* | History
History-Events beyond living memory |
| 3 | Moon Zoom | Science
History-Significant people Geography-Satellite images |
| 4 | Rio de Vida | Science
Geography- Locating countries and cities. Comparing areas of UK with Rio |
| 5 | Wirral* | Geography
History- Events beyond living memory Geography-Local area study |
| 6 | Superheroes | History
History-historical heroes/heroines
|
Year 2 2020/2021
| Title | Focus | |
| 1 | Houses and homes* | History
History-Significant historical events, people and places in their own locality Geography-geographical skills and fieldwork |
| 2 | Muck, mess and mixtures | Science
|
| 3 | Splendid Skies | Science
History-Significant people-Beaufort Geography-Seasonal and daily weather patterns |
| 4 | Dinosaurs | History
Geography- Locating continents and oceans History- Events beyond living memory Significant individuals-Anning |
| 5 | Wriggle and crawl | Science
Geography-Fieldwork |
| 6 | Holidays and Transport* | Geography
History-Changes within living memory Significant historical events, people and places in their own locality Geography- Human and physical geography and a local study
|
Year3 2021/2022
| Title | Focus | |
| 1 | This is me* | History and Geography
History-Significant historical events, people and places in their own locality Geography-geographical skills and fieldwork-where I live |
| 2 | Bounce | Science
History-Significant individuals-sporting heroes
|
| 3 | Beat Band Boogie | Science
Geography-Making sketch maps |
| 4 | Scrumdiddlyumptious | Geography
Geography- Fair trade History-Significant individuals-James Lind |
| 5 | Paws, claws and whiskers | Science
Geography-Using and making maps Describing physical features |
| 6 | Bright Lights | Geography
History-Changes within living memory Significant historical events. Geography- Countries and capitals of the UK. Using locational language and maps. Geographical similarities |
*These are not Cornerstone topics
KS2
Year 1 2019/2020
| Title | Focus | |
| 1 | Potions | Science
History-Historic use of potions |
| 2 | Traders and Raiders | History
History-Anglo Saxons and Vikings Geography-Using maps, settlements and Europe |
| 3 | Road Trip USA | Geography
Geography-Using world and USA maps Human and physical geography History-Native Americans |
| 4 | Flow | Geography
Geography- Using maps, fieldwork, water cycle. Human and physical feature. Rivers of the world. Counties and cities of the UK |
| 5 | Gods and Mortals | History
History- Ancient Greece Geography-Ancient and Modern Greece. Geographical features. Using maps |
| 6 | Playlist | Science
Geography-Location of countries |
Year 2 2020/2021
| Title | Focus | |
| 1 | A child’s war | History
History-2nd WW Geography-Human geography. Cities of the UK |
| 2 | Blue Abyss | Geography/Science
History-19th century ocean exploration Geography-Seas and oceans of the world. Great Barrier reef. Environmental issues |
| 3 | Might Metals | Science
|
| 4 | Pharaohs | History
Geography- Human and physical features of Egypt. The River Nile. Tourism |
| 5 | Burps, bottoms and bile | Science
Geography-Ancient and Modern Greece. Geographical features. Using maps |
| 6 | Hola Mexico | Geography
Geography-Using maps. Human and physical geography of Mexico. History-Ancient Maya civilization |
Y3 2021/2022
| Title | Focus |
| Heroes and Villains | History
History-significant people through time. Protest songs Geography-location of individuals |
| Frozen Kingdom | Geography
History-Emigration and exploration in the early 1900s Geography-Features of the Polar Region Environmental issues |
| Stargazers | Science
History-Significant Individuals. 1960’s space race Geography-Locating physical features
|
| Off with her head | History
Geography- Historic maps History-The Tudors |
| Predator | Science
Geography-Fieldwork;using maps to locate countries and continents |
| Misty Mountain Sierra | Geography
Geography-Using maps. Human and physical geography
|