Geography at Queensbridge Primary School

The aim of geography teaching at Queensbridge Primary School is to inspire pupils to gain a deeper understanding of the world and its people. Geography helps pupils to understand the cultures of people from across the world and see how people and places are connected. We encourage pupils to take responsibility for their place in society and to respect and look after the environment.

Geography involves developing children’s locational knowledge, place knowledge, understanding of human and physical geography, geographical skills and fieldwork. Pupils will study the local area and contrasting places in the United Kingdom, European and Non-European countries. Across Key Stage 1 and 2, pupils will build upon their knowledge of their locality through looking at maps and undertaking fieldwork.

The geography curriculum aims to ensure that all pupils:

• Develop a curiosity and understanding of their locality and the wider world.
• Develop an interest in, understanding of, and respect for other people and cultures.
• Develop their locational knowledge, geographical and fieldwork skills through the use of trips, atlases, maps, globes and digital mapping.
• Develop their understanding of human and physical processes.
• Develop an awareness of our changing world and how we can contribute positively to society.
• Make connections to other subjects studied.
• Learn through engaging and practical lessons.

History at Queensbridge Primary School

The aim of history teaching at Queensbridge Primary School is to encourage children to take an interest in the past and to understand how the world has changed and developed. History helps pupils to understand different societies and how the past has influenced life today in the UK and across the world.

Pupils are taught about significant people, events and different aspects from British and world history. Chronology is taught across Key stage 1 and 2 so that pupils have a good understanding of different time periods. Pupils are inspired to think like historians by asking and answering questions, investigating and interpreting evidence and providing reasoned views. Lessons are planned on key enquiry questions and pupils have the opportunity to look at and examine different artefacts to understand how and why evidence is used. All year groups have the opportunity to go on enriching trips to museums and galleries to gain a better understanding of a period of history through exploring primary sources and exhibits.

History provides many cross curricular opportunities and helps students to make links across the different subjects studied. Pupils are expected to show that they can apply their literacy skills in their historical writing and use different historical terms to effectively communicate their ideas. Geography is also closely linked to history as pupils are expected examine the relationships between different countries and in KS2 be able to locate different civilisations and explore the spread of empires.  Local history plays an important part in our history curriculum and pupils are able to use historical sources and fieldwork to explore how and why the local area has changed.

During the year, we will celebrate and commemorate important events from world history such as Remembrance Day. In October and throughout the year, pupils will also celebrate black history. Each year the school will focus on a different theme from black history and some classes will participate in workshops at the Hackney Museum to help deepen their understanding on the theme.

The history curriculum aims to ensure that all pupils:

• Develop a curiosity and understanding of the past in the UK and the wider world.
• Develop a passion for the subject.
• Develop an overview of world history.
• Understand how evidence is used to interpret the past.
• Understand historical concepts such as continuity and change, cause and consequence, similarity, difference and significance.
• Reflect, debate, evaluate and discuss the past.
• Make connections to other subjects studied.
• Learn through engaging and practical lessons.