At Chestnuts, our history curriculum teaches children about changes and developments over time in society, as well as events with historical significance. Studying history helps our children understand their past, gives them an identity and helps to unify our community. It also promotes a strong sense of belonging. 

History at Chestnuts is taught through our cross curricular topics, which ensures the continuity and progression of skills through the subject. Our children study a wide range of local, British and world history, including periods of ancient and modern history. They learn about significant historical events, famous historical figures and explore how and why they have influenced our lives today.  

Throughout their time at Chestnuts, the children develop an awareness of the past, they learn how the people and events they study fit within a chronological framework and identify similarities and differences between ways of life in different periods. They study key events within and beyond their living memories and establish clear narratives within and between the periods they study. The children learn to see connections, contrasts and trends over time and develop their appropriate use of historical terms.  

Through the teaching of history, we aim to: 

• Provide the children with a working understanding of change. 
• Provide the children with a better understanding of the world and how the actions of humans in the past affect the present and influence our future.  
• Develop their understanding of the world in which they live and their part in it. 
• Build their knowledge and understanding of historical events and trends.  
• Develop children who think critically, who analyse information and who challenge ideas.