History
"A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots."
Marcus Garvey
At Mossgate Primary School, we aim to immerse our children in a rich and engaging history education that inspires curiosity and a lifelong interest in learning about Britain’s past and the wider world. From EYFS to Year 6, our carefully sequenced curriculum ensures that pupils study significant events, people and historical periods, developing a secure understanding of how civilisations have changed over time, how they differ, and the connections between them.
We strive to nurture confident young historians who can:
• ask thoughtful and open-ended questions;
• think critically when evaluating sources and interpretations;
• make meaningful connections and comparisons;
• develop perspective and informed judgement.
How have we designed our curriculum?
At Mossgate our History Curriculum is built around four substantive concepts leadership, migration, childhood and civilisation these concepts have been carefully selected to ensure meaningful connections are made within and across year groups.
• Leadership enables children to draw upon their own experiences of leadership within school before progressing to the study of significant leaders from a range of historical periods.
• Migration highlights the diversity of society and supports children in understanding that people have migrated for thousands of years for a variety of reasons.
• Childhood allows pupils to develop empathy by exploring the lives of children their own age who lived in very different circumstances in the past.
• Civilisation supports children in developing an understanding of different types of civilisations, ranging from their own school community to Ancient Greece, Baghdad and beyond.
Children’s disciplinary thinking is developed through key disciplinary concepts that are woven throughout the history curriculum. These include:
• cause;
• consequence;
• change and continuity;
• similarity and difference;
• historical significance;
• sources and evidence;
• historical interpretations.
What does History look like for our youngest learners in Little Saplings Nursery and Reception?
At Little Saplings, our youngest learners begin their journey into History by exploring their own stories and the world around them.
In Nursery, children start by learning about themselves and their families. Through sharing stories, asking questions, and building friendships, they begin to understand their place within the school and wider community. They learn about the important roles people play in everyday life, supported by visits from members of our local community such as a firefighter, baker, police officer, and dental nurse. These real-life experiences help children make meaningful connections between their learning and the world around them.
Nursery children also take part in Remembrance activities and begin to talk about change — including the exciting transition from Nursery to Reception.
In Reception, children build on this foundation by developing a deeper understanding of the past. They explore why people move from place to place and learn how we can make others feel welcome in our community. As part of their learning about “People Who Help Us,” children are introduced to significant historical figures such as Florence Nightingale, helping them understand how individuals can make a difference.
Throughout Reception, children continue to share family stories and explore how they have grown and changed since they were born. By reflecting on their own experiences and listening to the experiences of others, they begin to develop a sense of chronology and an early understanding of history.
In EYFS, we nurture curiosity, encourage questioning, and help children see that history begins with their own story.
People in our community- Our Little Sapling Nursery children were very excited when the local firefighters came to visit, the children enjoyed trying on the uniform and sitting in the fire engine!
The children in Elm class (Reception) have been learning about Florence Nightingale and why she is significant. They have taken part in class discussions, read stories and looked at photographs from the past.
What does History look like at Mossgate from Year 1 to Year 6?
“History is who we are and why we are the way we are.”
David McCullough
Our History curriculum is carefully sequenced to ensure that knowledge and skills build progressively from year group to year group. It is designed to develop pupils’ understanding of chronology, cause and consequence, change and continuity, and historical significance, while fostering curiosity about the past.
In Key Stage 1, learning focuses on local history. This helps children develop a strong sense of pride and belonging within their community of Heysham and Morecambe, while gaining an understanding of how the past has shaped the world they live in today.
As pupils move into Lower Key Stage 2, the curriculum broadens to explore the history of Great Britain from the Stone Age onwards. A key thread throughout this phase is migration, enabling children to understand how Britain has been shaped by people who have arrived, settled, and left over time. Pupils then study a range of ancient civilisations beyond Britain, including Ancient Greece, Ancient Egypt and Baghdad, allowing them to compare societies and recognise the diversity and achievements of cultures across the world.
In Upper Key Stage 2, pupils deepen their understanding of both national and local history. They revisit local heritage through studies such as Lancaster’s involvement in the Transatlantic Slave Trade and the impact of the Second World War on the local area. These units encourage pupils to make meaningful connections between local, national and global events.
Working with Historians at Mossgate
“Museums are places where time is transformed into space.”
Orhan Pamuk
Throughout the year, we welcome passionate historians and subject specialists into school to inspire both pupils and staff. These workshops are carefully planned to enhance and enrich the high-quality teaching and learning already taking place within the classroom.
We also value the contribution of our wider school community and regularly invite members to share their personal experiences and knowledge with the children.
Visits to Heysham, Morecambe and Lancaster, led by a local historian, form an important part of our curriculum across both Key Stages, enabling pupils to develop a deeper understanding of their heritage and surroundings.
In addition, pupils have the opportunity to take part in engaging educational visits to museums and places of historical significance, including the Maritime Museum, the Natural History Museum in London and Manchester Museum. These experiences broaden pupils’ knowledge, deepen their understanding and foster a lasting enthusiasm for History.
What do our pupils think of History?
At Mossgate, we place great importance on listening to our pupils. Their thoughts and feedback help us shape and continually improve our curriculum, ensuring it remains engaging, relevant, and supportive of their learning.
We are extremely proud of our History curriculum and the curiosity and enthusiasm our children bring to their lessons. Here is what some of our pupils have shared about their experiences of History at Mossgate.