St Bernadette Catholic Primary School



History at St. Bernadette


We help our pupils to gain knowledge and understanding of the past, so that they may enrich their knowledge and understanding of the present.  At St Bernadette History is taught mainly through a topic based approach and gives pupils a chance to explore a wide range of sources from which the past may come alive. In History children have opportunities to compare and contrast, to examine how and why things have changed, to learn about historical characters and expand their research skills.  We want children to understand how people have lived in the past and compare this to modern life. We encourage first hand experiences through handling real artefacts wherever possible and we arrange field work visits to relevant sites of historical interest. A typical lesson in Key Stage 1 will last for one hour and in Key Stage 2 for one and a half hours.


In our History teaching we strive to:


  • arouse interest and enthusiasm about the past

  • promote the use of the enquiry approach

  • help pupils develop a sense of identity through learning about the development of Britain, Europe and the world.

  • introduce pupils to what is involved in understanding and interpreting the past.

  • encourage pupils to recognise that changes and developments through time affect the way we live today.

  • foster an understanding of and respect for social and cultural differences.


History in the Early Years Foundation Stage

Understanding the world involves guiding children to make sense of their physical world and their community through opportunities to explore, observe and find out about people, places, technology and the environment. Please see the EYFS area on the website for further details. This leads to the Science, History, Geography and Computing curriculums in KS1 & 2.


At Key Stage 1 Pupils are given the opportunity to develop an awareness of the past and ways in which it differs from the present. Pupils are helped to understand how we find out about the past and have opportunities to compare and contrast significant historical figures.


  1.  Year 1 Topics : Toys, Significant People:  Guy Fawkes/ Neil Armstrong/Christopher Columbus (link to Literacy: adventure)


  1. Year 2 Topics: Great Fire of London. Significant People: Robert Falcon Scott (linked to Geography – Polar Regions)



At Key Stage 2 Pupils will be taught about important developments and episodes in Britain’s past, from Roman to Modern Times. They will be helped to develop a chronological framework through linking different study units, investigate local history and learn about its past from a variety of sources. 


  1. Year 3: Changes in Britain from the Stone Age to the Iron Age.

The Roman Empire and its impact on Britain.

  1. Year 4: Britain’s settlement by Anglo Saxons and Scots.

The achievements of the earliest civilizations.

Ancient Egypt.

  1. Year 5: Vikings and Anglo Saxon struggle for the kingdom of England to the time of Edward the confessor.

Ancient Greece

  1. Year 6: Mayan Civilization c AD 900

Britain during WWII including the impact on the local area.