History & Geography (Humanities)

The subject leader for History & Geography is Mrs Sawdon.

We teach History and Geography via a theme-based approach. Both subjects are integrated into our unit themes.

Current themes in KS1 include Our School and Local Area; Explorers;  The UK; The Great Fire of London.

In KS2 our themes include The Romans In Britain; Extreme Earth; Ancient Egypt; Ancient Greece; The Anglo Saxons and Vikings; and World War 1 and 2. 

History

Why we teach History

At The Mount, our teaching of History will help pupils gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world.  We will investigate different sources in order to ask and answer historically valid questions about the past and its impact on the world we live in today.  We will examine the children’s own personal history and that of our local area, and develop their sense of chronology throughout their time at The Mount.  We seek to broaden children’s real-life experiences through educational visits, visitors, exploration and discovery. We believe that within history lessons, our children acquire a range of knowledge and skills, which they can then apply to other subjects and a variety of situations.

How we teach History

Teachers use the progression map and the progression of skills grid to plan an enquiry-based approach that builds on prior learning and ensures progression across topics and throughout each year group.  The children are encouraged to ask questions, reference and create timelines and scrutinise artefacts and sources.  We use technology to enhance learning, for example, through the use of the internet to develop research skills.  There are opportunities throughout the year for each year group to experience hands on learning through educational visits and through workshops delivered by experts in school. Links are made with the local area to provide the children with a sense of identity and belonging and knowledge of the area in which they live.  Where possible, we make cross curricular links and use linked texts to immerse the children in the topic they are studying.

Geography

Why we teach Geography

At The Mount, we aim to develop pupils’ interest in both their own surroundings and in the variety of physical and human conditions in the wider world. Geography should provide an interesting and exciting way for pupils to engage with both their local area and fascinating aspects of the world we live in. Our purpose is to instil a sense of identity and connection with their local area in our children and an interest and desire to investigate a variety of different places, both local and afar, through purposeful research and careful questioning.  We believe it is important to provide our children with the opportunities to use a range of investigative and problem-solving skills, both in and outside the classroom, to develop a deep understanding of geography.

How we teach Geography

Teachers use the progression map and the progression of skills grids to plan an enquiry-based approach for Geography that builds on prior learning and ensures progression across topics and throughout each year group.  The children are given the opportunity to use maps, graphs, statistics, pictures and aerial photographs as well as exploring their local environment to develop their fieldwork skills and knowledge of the local area.  We use technology to enhance learning in Geography – for example, through the use of digital mapping and using the internet to develop research skills.  Where possible, we make cross curricular links and use linked texts to immerse the children in the topic they are studying.