History may be defined as:
A study, which chronicles, investigates and explores the past and thereby increases our understanding of the present.
Our objectives in terms of the knowledge, understanding and skills that the children should learn would include the following:
to understand that they live in and are part of a community, country and a world with their own histories and heritage;
to develop an understanding of their own and their families' past;
to enhance their understanding of past, present and future;
to understand that evidence from the past comes in different forms and may be interpreted in different ways;
to be able to distinguish between myths and legends about the past, and real events and real people;
to use imagination and evidence to describe life in the past;
to demonstrate that they know of some major events of British and world history;
to show that they have a wide appreciation of History by understanding, technological, scientific, social, political and aesthetic developments;
to understand the use of primary and secondary sources of evidence to support interpretations of historical events;
to recognise similarities and differences between the past and the present day.
During Key Stage 1 History is mainly taught as part of a cross-curricular topic. In Key Stage 2 it is taught again as part of a topic, covering specific periods in each Year group.
Geography may be defined as: The study of the world in which we live; the relationships between people and their environment; the interdependence of individuals, groups and nations and the processes which shape societies and landscapes.
Geographical objectives
Our objective in terms of the knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes that the children should learn would include the following:
to acquire and use skills to support geographical work, in particular the use of maps and fieldwork techniques;
to extend their awareness of and develop their interest in the environment;
to identify and explore features of the local environment and to understand the roles of individuals within the environment;
to acquire knowledge and understanding of places in local, regional, national, international and global contexts,
to understand the similarities and differences between places;
to learn about physical geography including weather and climate, rivers and seas, land forms, plants and animals;
to increase knowledge and understanding of population, settlements, communication, movement and economic activities;
to develop observation and enquiry skills.
In Key Stage 1 Geography is mainly taught through cross-curricular topics. In Key Stage 2 Geography is delivered through the topics the children are learning, focusing on specific skills, places and themes in each Year group.