History enables us to understand who we are, where we came from and why our society is how it is today, contextualising the challenges that we all face in our world. Learning about the past enables us to learn from our mistakes as a society, as a world, and move forward positively avoiding errors of the past. All that has happened in the past affects every person alive today.
History isn’t simply a study of others. Those we learn about have lived decades or even many centuries ago, yet their actions directly affect how we live our lives today. Events that seem simply like a list of dates on a page are actually turning points, new chapters in the story of our world. ‘We are not makers of history. We are made by history.’ – Martin Luther King Jr
Experience of history teaching from Pre Prep to A Level, across a variety of independent schools. Award winning historian.
Mr. David Goulbourn – BA Hons, PGCE, Fellow of the Royal Historical Society
In early years education, teaching history often begins by fostering a personal connection to the past. Through activities like examining photographs and timelines, engaging in discussions, and reflecting on personal growth since infancy, children develop an understanding of time and change. Comparing old and new objects or concepts helps them grasp historical context. Encouraging involvement of family members deepens this connection, as children explore their own family histories. Additionally, inviting children to share their existing knowledge fosters a sense of ownership and curiosity about the past, laying a foundation for lifelong learning.
Our primary aim in KS1 is to nurture a love of history and an interest in asking questions. Our children are empowered to be historians: to be confident asking how, why and what has happened; to be excited learning about the past, and, using that information to think about both the present and future.
Key skills developed in Year 1 and Year 2 include understanding chronology , knowledge of significant individuals, and to become confident asking questions.
During their time in KS1, our children are taught about changes within living memory; significant national and global events beyond living memory; the lives of significant individuals in the past; and local, significant historical events, people and places.
The children are provided with the opportunity and taught the skills that enable them to be able to investigate independently, formulate reasoned arguments and debate the whys and wherefores of major events and their outcomes that have shaped our societies for centuries.
The ability to question and form attitudes is imperative to being able to unearth a genuine understanding of past events and their consequences.
The breadth of delivery across continents and ages means that they experience a rich tapestry of ancient, mediaeval and modern events and peoples, woven together by hands-on, investigative historical approaches, both independently researched and specialist teacher-led.
All of this within the beautiful Grade I and II listed, historically significant site of Pownall Hall which was originally built in 1297, and in of itself provides a wonderful opportunity for a local study, and for the children to live and breathe history in their daily lives.
