Our Vision for History at Lee Common CE School

“We are not makers of history. We are made by history.”

Dr Martin Luther King, Jr.

History at Lee Common CE School fills children with enthusiasm, inspires children’s curiosity, encourages them to ask critical questions and enables them to have a better understanding of their own community and society and that of the wider world. Staff bring lessons to life with a variety of practical activities, costumes and props. History is well resourced and children have access to a range of high quality physical resources, documents and artefacts, as well as opportunities to hear from visitors, who share their past experiences and knowledge. Children have opportunities to re-enact history including through first hand experiences, visits and themed days, which allow them to examine how the arts, cuisine, fashion, education and culture have changed through the ages.

During one term each year, we become Historians, as the curriculum becomes focused on a specific element of History. However, our children encounter History throughout the year in cross curricular learning, assemblies and through the cultural capital shared by our staff. For example, through remembrance, Black History Month, V.E. Day celebrations and the anniversaries of other significant events of famous people. 

History experiences are offered across the curriculum, such as through stories as part of English lessons, money and measurements in Maths, historical discoveries which moved Science on etc. Our Geography studies look at how our local area has changed and developed over time, including in 'The Lee Village' where children look at the history of The Lee and people who have lived here as well as changes in the landscape, farming etc. Children use a variety of sources of information, including books, photographs and paintings, online resources, recounts and artefacts to discover information about the past. Children are encouraged to discuss and consider the lessons to be learned from history in age-appropriate philosophical debate, thus building intrigue.

During their time at Jupiter, children have the opportunity to research, investigate, relive and understand History from local, national and international perspectives. Throughout, they consider connections, contrasts and trends over time and develop the appropriate use of historical terms. They work as historians, learning how our knowledge of the past is constructed from a range of different sources and to view these critically. Over time, children gain a sense of their own identity within a social, political, cultural and economic context. 

During their time in the Early Years, our children develop their understanding of the concept of change over time, exploring their own lives and those of their families within living memory, as well as local, national and international events or celebrations. Throughout Key Stage 1, children develop an awareness of the past. They learn about significant individuals who have contributed to national and international achievements and about significant historical events beyond living memory that are nationally or globally significant, such as The Great Fire of London. We are mindful of our responsibility to prepare our children for the next stage of their education and this is evident in our curriculum progression.

Progression