History
Discovering the Past • Understanding the Present • Shaping the Future
"Through history we become curious investigators who learn from the past to make a difference in the future."
Welcome to History at St Mary's
History is a vital part of our Sunrise Curriculum, helping children to understand the past so they can make sense of the present and shape the future. Through exciting enquiries, local heritage, historical investigations and memorable experiences, we inspire every child to become a curious historian who asks questions, analyses evidence and learns from the lives of those who have gone before us.
At St Mary's, we believe you are never too young to make a difference, and our history curriculum helps children recognise how individuals and communities throughout history have shaped the world for the better.
Sunrise Curriculum Intent
"Rooted in our Christian vision, our curriculum nurtures knowledgeable, compassionate and courageous learners who flourish and make a positive difference in the world."
Our unique Sunrise curriculum is research informed to build children's interests in powerful knowledge and skills, supported by long term memory pedagogy to create life long aspirations. This is underpinned by the school vision 'You are never too young to make a difference.'
Our History Intent:
Our history curriculum has been carefully designed to build a secure chronological understanding of Britain's past and the wider world. As pupils progress through the school, they revisit and deepen key historical concepts, developing the knowledge, vocabulary and disciplinary skills needed to think like historians.
Children learn through carefully planned enquiries that encourage them to investigate evidence, consider different interpretations and reach their own informed conclusions. Alongside British and world history, our curriculum celebrates Cornwall's rich heritage, enabling children to understand the significant role their local area has played in shaping history.
Our aim is for every child to leave St Mary's as a knowledgeable, reflective and curious historian who appreciates the past and understands how it continues to influence the world today.
(To read our full history intent, see our history progression document).
Thinking Like a Historian
Throughout every history unit, children develop the disciplinary skills of historians. They learn to:
- Ask thoughtful historical questions.
- Investigate a range of historical sources.
- Consider different interpretations of the past.
- Explain causes and consequences.
- Identify change and continuity.
- Recognise historical significance.
- Build a secure understanding of chronology.
These skills are revisited and developed throughout every year group, enabling pupils to become increasingly confident and independent historians.
Journey Through Time
Our curriculum has been carefully sequenced so that learning builds progressively from EYFS to Year 6. Children begin by exploring their own personal history before travelling through ancient civilisations, Britain's changing history and significant world events. Each new unit strengthens pupils' understanding of chronology while revisiting key historical concepts.
Cornwall Through Time
At St Mary's, our history curriculum is enriched through meaningful connections with Cornwall's unique heritage. Throughout their journey, pupils explore the people, places and events that have shaped our local area, including Richard Trevithick, Cornwall's mining history, Brunel's engineering achievements, Chysauster Ancient Village and Cornwall's maritime heritage.
These local studies help children understand that history begins on their own doorstep and encourage a strong sense of identity, belonging and pride in their community.
History in Action
History comes alive through memorable experiences beyond the classroom. Children take part in educational visits, workshops, themed history days and practical enquiries which allow them to investigate artefacts, explore historical sites and immerse themselves in the past.
These experiences help deepen historical understanding while fostering curiosity, excitement and a lifelong love of learning.
We are historians
Historical Enquiry
Children are encouraged to think critically by asking questions and investigating evidence. Our enquiry approach develops pupils' ability to analyse sources, compare viewpoints and justify their conclusions using historical evidence.
Every enquiry encourages children to become active historians rather than simply learning facts about the past.
Meet our History Subject Leader
"History is one of my favourite subjects because every artefact, source and story helps us uncover another piece of the past. I love seeing children become historians—asking questions, debating evidence and making their own discoveries. My aim is for every child to leave St Mary's with a love of history, a curiosity about the world and an understanding that the past helps us shape a better future."
By the Time Children Leave St Mary's...
By the end of Year 6, our pupils have developed a secure chronological understanding of Britain's past and the wider world. They confidently use historical vocabulary, evaluate evidence, recognise that history can be interpreted in different ways and understand the significance of key people and events.
Most importantly, they leave St Mary's as curious, reflective and responsible young historians who appreciate Cornwall's rich heritage, value different perspectives and understand that learning from the past helps us build a better future.
"History is not just about learning what happened; it is about understanding why it matters."
We are curious. We investigate. We learn from the past. We flourish.