History

Believe

At Ridgeway Farm CE Academy, we believe that history helps children understand who they are, where they come from and how they belong in the story of the world God has made. Through history, children explore identity, purpose, change, justice, courage and human experience across time.

Rooted in our Christian vision, we believe history education should develop wisdom, compassion, critical thinking and moral understanding. Children are encouraged to reflect on the complexity of human life, the diversity of societies, and the ways people and communities have shaped the world.

We believe history should:

• Inspire curiosity about the past
• Develop understanding of identity and belonging
• Build knowledge of Britain’s history and the wider world
• Help children understand change, continuity and diversity
• Develop moral reflection and ethical understanding
• Encourage empathy and compassion
• Build respect for different cultures and communities
• Develop critical thinking and judgement
• Enable children to reflect on human choices and consequences
• Support children to understand their role in shaping the future

Our vision is to develop children who are historically literate, reflective and compassionate, who understand the past, live wisely in the present and help shape a better future.

Learn

History at Ridgeway Farm CE Academy is delivered through a progressive, coherent and knowledge-rich curriculum rooted in the National Curriculum, carefully planned to build historical understanding, skills and enquiry over time.

Learning is shaped through:

• A strong focus on local history, drawing from the immediate and wider community
• Study of Britain’s history and the wider world
• Clear progression of historical knowledge and concepts
• Development of chronological understanding
• Structured enquiry using a wide range of historical sources
• Teaching children to question, interpret, analyse and evaluate evidence
• Building understanding of similarity and difference, continuity and change
• Cross-curricular learning through English, Art, Music and RE
• Thematic teaching through half-termly and termly topics
• Educational visits and first-hand historical experiences
• A strong emphasis on vocabulary development

Progression across the school includes:

• KS1: Learning about changes in living memory and beyond living memory, significant people, early historical enquiry and questioning
• Lower KS2: Study of British history from the Stone Age to the Norman Conquest
• Upper KS2: Broader historical study including Ancient Greece, WWII and world civilisations, placed within a clear chronological framework

History is taught as a core part of the school’s cross-curricular approach, allowing children to develop deep, connected understanding and make meaningful links between subjects.

Grow

Through this curriculum, children grow into curious, reflective and informed historians who:

• Enjoy history and historical enquiry
• Show curiosity about the past
• Ask thoughtful and perceptive questions
• Think critically and evaluate evidence
• Understand chronology and historical sequence
• Recognise change, continuity and diversity
• Use historical vocabulary accurately
• Research independently
• Make connections across subjects
• Reflect on human experiences and choices
• Develop empathy and understanding
• Build strong foundations for future learning

The impact of history at Ridgeway Farm CE Academy is seen through:

• High engagement and enjoyment
• Secure knowledge and skill progression
• Strong historical vocabulary
• Deep understanding of chronology
• Confident enquiry skills
• Cross-curricular application
• Strong outcomes and standards
• Positive pupil voice and curiosity

Children leave Ridgeway Farm CE Academy as thoughtful, informed and compassionate young historians, equipped with knowledge, perspective and wisdom to understand the world, serve others and shape the future with courage, faith and integrity.