History at Sulhamstead & Ufton Nervet CE Primary School

“The more you know about the past, the better prepared you are for the future.” – Theodore Roosevelt

At Sulhamstead & Ufton Nervet CE Primary School, the study of history helps children understand the events, people and societies of the past, and how these shape the world they live in today. Our history curriculum encourages curiosity, critical thinking and a deepening understanding of how past actions and decisions influence the present.

As a result of our history curriculum, learners gain knowledge of a wide range of time periods, including ancient, modern, recent and living history. They learn about significant events, civilisations and individuals, and develop an understanding of world history and the interconnectedness of different eras. Through exploring a variety of historical sources, pupils develop empathy and insight into the lives, perspectives and experiences of people from the past.

Children are taught key skills of critical analysis, including identifying bias, evaluating evidence and interpreting primary and secondary sources—all essential skills for becoming a historian.

As pupils move from KS1 to KS2, they build increasing depth of knowledge, exploring the causes, actions and consequences of events and developments. Each term, children add their new learning to a whole‑school timeline spanning from the Stone Age to the present day. This helps them secure a strong sense of chronology and make meaningful connections between eras, events and historical figures. We draw on a wide range of historical sources and cultural traditions.

Our history curriculum is enriched by high‑quality trips and visits that bring learning to life. Experiences such as Bletchley Park, Windsor Castle, Ufton Court and the Englefield Estate deepen pupils’ understanding and provide opportunities to explore history beyond the classroom. Experiences are also enhanced through immersive experiences such as our World War 2 enrichment Days and artifact boxes from West Berkshire Museum.

Our aspiration is that children at SUN develop a lifelong curiosity about people, events and civilisations, and gain the knowledge and skills to understand the past both in and out of school.

To be successful in History at SUN, learners must:

• Develop knowledge of historical periods — understand a range of significant figures, events and time periods

• Use historical sources — gather information from a variety of primary and secondary sources

• Identify similarities and differences — compare their own lives with those of people in the past

• Build chronological understanding — develop a secure sense of chronology and how the past fits together

• Communicate historical understanding — use appropriate vocabulary and subject‑specific terminology to explain ideas

• Make meaningful connections — link learning across history and with subjects such as geography and international learning

Thinking Like Historians at SUN

Through our engaging history curriculum, supported by our learning partners at Cornerstones, we teach children to think like historians—to question evidence, explore multiple perspectives and understand how interpretations of the past are formed. Our strong links to local historical sites, including Ufton Court and the Englefield Estate, help bring history alive and deepen pupils’ understanding of their local heritage.

Our two‑year rolling programme ensures that all children experience a rich, coherent and well‑sequenced history curriculum that builds the skills and knowledge needed to understand the past with confidence.