History

The National Curriculum for History in Years 3 to 6.

Examples in italics are not statutory.

Pre-Roman Britain

Our children will be taught about changes in Britain from the Stone Age to the Iron Age

This could include:

  • late Neolithic hunter-gatherers and early farmers, for example, Skara Brae
  • Bronze Age religion, technology and travel, for example, Stonehenge
  • Iron Age hill forts: tribal kingdoms, farming, art and culture

Roman Britain

Our children will be taught about the Roman empire and its impact on Britain

This could include:

  • Julius Caesar’s attempted invasion in 55-54 BC
  • the Roman Empire by AD 42 and the power of its army
  • successful invasion by Claudius and conquest, including Hadrian’s Wall
  • British resistance, for example, Boudica
  • “Romanisation” of Britain: sites such as Caerwent and the impact of technology, culture and beliefs, including early Christianity

Anglo-Saxons & Scots

Our children will be taught about Britain’s settlement by Anglo-Saxons and Scots

This could include:

  • Roman withdrawal from Britain in c. AD 410 and the fall of the western Roman Empire
  • Scots invasions from Ireland to north Britain (now Scotland)
  • Anglo-Saxon invasions, settlements and kingdoms: place names and village life
  • Anglo-Saxon art and culture
  • Christian conversion – Canterbury, Iona and Lindisfarne

Anglo-Saxons & Vikings

Our children will be taught about the Viking and Anglo-Saxon struggle for the Kingdom of England to the time of Edward the Confessor

This could include:

  • Viking raids and invasion
  • resistance by Alfred the Great and Athelstan, first king of England
  • further Viking invasions and Danegeld
  • Anglo-Saxon laws and justice
  • Edward the Confessor and his death in 1066

Local History

Our children will be taught about an aspect of local history

For example:

  • a depth study linked to one of the British areas of study listed above
  • a study over time tracing how several aspects of national history are reflected in the locality (this can go beyond 1066)
  • a study of an aspect of history or a site dating from a period beyond 1066 that is significant in the locality.

Extended chronological study

Our children will be taught a study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066

For example:

  • the changing power of monarchs using case studies such as John, Anne and Victoria
  • changes in an aspect of social history, such as crime and punishment from the Anglo-Saxons to the present or leisure and entertainment in the 20th Century
  • the legacy of Greek or Roman culture (art, architecture or literature) on later periods in British history, including the present day
  • a significant turning point in British history, for example, the first railways or the Battle of Britain

Ancient Civilizations

Our children will be taught about the achievements of the earliest civilizations – an overview of where and when the first civilizations appeared and a depth study of one of the following:

  • Ancient Sumer;
  • The Indus Valley;
  • Ancient Egypt; or
  • The Shang Dynasty of Ancient China

Ancient Greece

Our children will be taught a study of Greek life and achievements and their influence on the western world

Non-European Study

Our children will be taught about a non-European society that provides contrasts with British history – one study chosen from:

  • early Islamic civilization, including a study of Baghdad c. AD 900;
  • Mayan civilization c. AD 900; or
  • Benin (West Africa) c. AD 900-1300