History

At Redlands Primary School, we inspire pupils to develop a deep understanding of the past through our engaging History curriculum, supported by the Key Stage History scheme. This well-structured programme brings history to life through enquiry-based learning, encouraging pupils to think critically, ask questions, and explore the causes and consequences of significant events.

Each year group also studies a local history module, carefully chosen to make history relevant and tangible for our highly mobile cohort. By exploring the rich history of the local area, pupils develop a stronger sense of belonging and connection to the community, making historical learning more meaningful and accessible.

Key Stage History provides rich opportunities for pupils to investigate a wide range of historical periods, significant individuals, and key concepts, helping them make meaningful connections across time. Through storytelling, hands-on activities, and historical sources, pupils develop skills in critical thinking, analysis, and evidence-based reasoning.

Our curriculum nurtures a love of history and empowers pupils to become curious, reflective, and informed learners, with a strong understanding of how the past has shaped the world today.

	Autumn 1	Autumn 2	Spring 1	Spring 2	Summer 1	Summer 2
Year 1		Personal History – changes within living memory. My life so far	The Railway comes to Reading		Transport Past and Present
Year 2	Great Fire of London The Gun Power Plot (how did it change London – architecture and street planning)			Significant people – Mary Seacole, Florence Nightingale and Edith Cavell	Our School and RBH
Year 3	Stones and Bones – changes in Britain from Stone Age to Iron Age		Oh Crumbs! Huntley and Palmers – what impact did H&O have on the town of Reading – Local Area Study			Egypt – achievements of early civilizations
Year 4	Romans – Impact on Britian		Local Enquiry – Reading street names			British settlements by Anglo Saxons and Scotts – Roman withdrawal and Scot invasion
Year 5	The Viking and Anglo Saxon struggle – Viking raids – up to Edward the Confessor			Early Islamic Civilisation		Greece
Year 6		Mayans		WW2 – sig turning points		Crime and Punishment – Holes (thematic)