At Clapgate, we want all our pupils to have the opportunity to develop their curiosity about the past. We want them to know that history is not only about facts and dates but we want to encourage them to become detectives, who explore the past in an exciting way. We teach children to be open minded and enquiring thinkers who understand cause and effect. We want them to understand how people have lived in the past and compare this to modern life. We encourage first hand experiences through handling real artefacts and wherever possible arranging school trips to relevant sites of historical interest. We also bring in specialists for in-school workshops. All of these opportunities will allow the children to be as close as possible to the past. We teach our children that history can provide us with an insight into our cultures of origin as well as cultures with which we might be less familiar with. This will develop an increasing cross-cultural awareness and understanding.
History lessons at Clapgate are developed to equip pupils to think critically, weigh evidence, consider arguments, and develop perspective and judgment. The pupils will gain knowledge of Britain’s past, and our place in the world in order to help them understand the challenges of our own time and of those previous to us. They will learn about specific people and events in history. Our history curriculum will encourage children to develop a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world.
We believe that high-quality, hands on history lessons will inspire children to think innovatively and develop their natural curiosity.