HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY

History Intent

At Amesbury Archer Primary School, we have a proud and strong historical footprint. The Archer that was discovered here in May 2002 lives on in our school. We relate our values to his and reflect on how our life now is drastically different to the one that he lived. This has led to History becoming a subject which we are passionate about at Amesbury Archer Primary School. We explore different time periods and look at the lives of others during this time, ensuring the children explore the world beyond their current time period. By the end of their primary education, children will have a chronological understanding of British history from Stone Age to present day. They will be able to draw comparisons and make connections between different time periods and their own lives. Interlinked with this is the need to look at world history such as the ancient civilisations of Greece and the Mayans.

We strive to create a supportive and collaborative ethos for learning by providing investigative and enquiry-based-learning opportunities. Emphasis is placed on analytical thinking which helps children gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world and fires children’s curiosity to know more about the past. Through this study children learn to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments, and develop perspective and judgement. 

We also recognise that our history units inspire cross- curricular links. Class novels have been selected to run alongside each history unit, enhancing the children’s understanding of the time period but also allowing children to gain a greater understanding of the socio-economic situation of the time.

Geography Intent

Intent:  At Amesbury Archer, we believe that Geography helps to provoke and answer questions about the natural and human worlds, encouraging children to develop a greater understanding of their world and their place in it. We ‘Aim High’ by ensuring that the children have a deeper understanding of the world around them and gain transferable skills. It helps to develop a range of investigation and problem-solving skills that are transferable to other curriculum areas and which can be used to promote children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. We also include our Archer words is all our Geography teaching and learning. We inspire the children to enthusiastic to learn more and show resilience to overcome a challenge through deeper discussion about controversial global issues. Geography is, by nature an investigative subject, which develops an understanding of concepts, knowledge and skills. We also develop respect of other countries and communities. We seek to inspire in children a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people which will remain with them for the rest of their lives; to promote children’s interest and understanding about diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments, together with a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes.

Within geography, we strive to create a supportive and collaborative ethos for learning by providing investigative and enquiry based learning opportunities. Emphasis is placed on investigative learning opportunities to help children gain a coherent knowledge of understanding of each unit of work covered throughout the school. Children will deepen their understanding of the interaction between physical and human processes and how this affects landscapes and environments. Children are expected to maintain the same writing standards as required in English.

 At Amesbury Archer we have children of all different abilities and actively include those with SEND. Children with SEND, like all children, have quality first teaching during geography lessons. When required, additional support (teacher or teaching assistant) will be provided and activities may be adapted, so they can access all learning. Additional resources may also be required. These include I pads, coloured paper, visual prompts…