History Curriculum at Bramber 

Intent

At Bramber Primary School, our history curriculum aims to ignite pupils’ curiosity about the past and help them develop a coherent understanding of Britain’s history and that of the wider world. We want children to gain a strong sense of chronology and an appreciation of how people’s lives, societies, and cultures have shaped the world we live in today.
Our intent is to enable pupils to think critically about evidence, ask perceptive questions, and form balanced judgements about the past. Through studying history, we aim to nurture thoughtful, informed, and reflective learners who can make meaningful connections between past and present, developing respect and empathy for people from different times and backgrounds.

Implementation 

History is taught through a well-structured, progressive curriculum that follows the National Curriculum objectives and builds knowledge and skills year on year.

• Sequenced learning: Topics are often organised chronologically within and across key stages to support children in developing a clear sense of historical time and continuity. We always refer to previous learning to build an understanding of history.
• Enquiry-based approach: Each unit is driven by key questions that encourage children to explore, investigate, and reason about the past using a variety of sources such as artefacts, documents, images, and oral histories.
• Cross-curricular connections: History learning is enriched through links with English, Geography and Art, enabling children to apply literacy and research skills in meaningful contexts.
• Experiential learning: Visits, workshops, and historical re-enactments provide pupils with immersive experiences that bring history to life and deepen their understanding.
• Inclusion and progression: Lessons are carefully designed to ensure that all pupils can access and engage with historical content, while also providing opportunities for challenge and higher-level thinking

Impact

By the time children leave Bramber Primary School, they will have:

• A secure understanding of key historical periods, events, and significant individuals in British and world history.
• The ability to think critically about evidence, identify bias, and draw informed conclusions.
• Developed strong enquiry skills, using questions, sources, and reasoning to explore the past.
• An appreciation of diversity, continuity, and change over time, and an understanding of how history influences the present.
• A lifelong curiosity about the past and a respect for the experiences of others.

At Bramber Primary, our pupils leave with an appreciation of how history shapes identity—locally, nationally, and globally—and with the knowledge and skills to become thoughtful, informed citizens of the future.