Our school and local area are rooted in history and this has formed a key element of our current context.  It is important that all pupils are able to gain an understanding and appreciation of this in their time at Nash Mills.  Through the offer of a sequential, well-planned curriculum and in line with National Curriculum requirements, all of our learners will have:

• A clear understanding of chronology and how events in the past have shaped our today; and what happens today will shape our tomorrow; to see history as a ‘living subject’.
• An ability to study and compare different beliefs and ways of life; to recognise similarities and differences using different sources and to question, evaluate and draw conclusions based on clear arguments.
• A strong sense of identity and an understanding of the history of Nash Mills School and the local area. This will be created by teaching history in a wider context, but also thinking about local connections, allowing children to link their lives to the bigger picture. For example; the importance of John Dickinson and his family to the local area: set within the wider view of Victorian society, looking at industrialisation and the development of world travel and trade links.
• An understanding that history has been gained by studying evidence in the world around us; our aim is that they have the skills to discuss different opinions within history and are able to 'disagree well' with each other.

In all periods studied, pupils will gain an understanding of the main events, time and locations appropriate to the subject being taught.  In addition, the following areas of learning will allow for themes within learning across each year group.  These areas are:

• Beliefs
• Conflict
• Settlements
• Travel & Exploration
• Food & Farming
• Society

Pupils will have a weekly lesson, with each topic being split into clear curriculum blocks. 

• Autumn term – a focus on a history topic which will have themes that link back to previous learning.
• Summer term - a locally-focused topic will be taught allowing pupils to revisit and embed skills across both geography and history through discrete teaching. This will include a visit to a historical site with local relevance, supporting pupils to develop their cultural capital.

• Year 3 will visit St Albans as part of the Roman invasion topic
• Year 4 will visit Mountfitchet Castle as part of the Anglo-Saxons/Middle Ages topic
• Year 5 will visit Apsley Paper Mills as part of the Victorian topic.