History
Brede Primary School uses the Cornerstone’s History curriculum. History projects are sequenced, covering all the national curriculum programmes of study, providing a coherent subject scheme that develops children’s historical knowledge, skills and subject disciplines. Key aspects and concepts, such as chronology, cause and effect, similarity and difference, significance and hierarchy, are revisited throughout all projects and are developed over time. Projects also develop historical skills based on evidence and historical enquiry. The choice of historical periods follows the guidance set out in the national curriculum, with specific details relating to significant events and individuals chosen to present a rich and diverse account of British and world history. Where there are opportunities for making meaningful connections with other projects, history projects are sequenced accordingly.
Key Stage 1
The projects studied in Key Stage 1 provide numerous opportunities for children to explore significant historical events, people and places in their locality. The children build on their own past experiences, including their family history and events within living memory. They learn about the history of their school and compare this to schooling in the Victorian period. The children explore the concept of significance and the significant people that have greatly influenced history, including challenging concepts of power and monarchy in preparation for more complex historical topics in Key Stage 2.
Key stage 2
The children study the chronology of British history, the significance of prehistoric periods and the changes in Britain from the Stone Age to the Iron Age. They continue to develop their knowledge of the chronology, learning about the Roman Empire, its invasion of Britain and Britain’s ensuing Romanisation. This leads onto the Roman withdrawal and the invasion and settlement of the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, concluding British History at 1066. The children also learn about ancient civilisations and world history. They explore life in ancient Greece, including examining the achievements and influence of ancient Greece on the western world. They then move onto to study more complex historical issues, such as enslavement, colonialism and power, studying Britain’s role in the development, perpetuation and abolition of the slave trade. The children also learn about Britain at War and role war has played in Britain’s history since 1066, focusing on the First and Second World Wars as crucial turning points in British history.
Geography
Brede Primary School uses the Cornerstones Curriculum to teach geography. Throughout the geography scheme, there is complete coverage of all national curriculum programmes of study, with projects sequenced to provide a coherent subject scheme that develops children’s geographical knowledge, skills and subject disciplines.
Key Stage 1
In Key Stage 1, the children are introduced to, and revisit, critical geographical concepts, aspects, skills and knowledge. Projects introduce the children to:
- essential skills and knowledge
- the geography of urban environments
- the physical and human features of the United Kingdom
- the geography of coastal environments, including an in-depth coastal fieldwork project.
Lower Key Stage 2
In Lower Key Stage 2, the children further develop their skills, knowledge and understanding of key geographical aspects and concepts, preparing them to study more thematic geography projects, which include:
- exploring physical features and geographical phenomena, including earthquakes and volcanoes.
- studying the physical features of mountains and rivers, which includes opportunities for in-depth fieldwork
Upper Key Stage 2
In Upper Key Stage 2, the children develop their skills, knowledge and understanding of key geographical aspects and concepts and study more thematic geography projects, which include:
- farming, agriculture and rural land use.
- the characteristics of polar regions, including environmental issues.
New 2024/25 curriculum documents coming soon.