We are a 'Good' school (Ofsted, October 2023). "Pupils are proud to be part of Broadway Junior School. Leaders are skilled and reflective. Classrooms are positive places for pupils to learn."
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History

Intent

At Broadway Junior School, we aim for a high quality history curriculum which should inspire in pupils a curiosity and fascination starting with our local history here in Sunderland, moving onto Britain’s past and that of the wider world. Following our school motto, ‘Work hard, Be kind, Shine bright’ is at the heart of everything we do, as well as enabling children to receive an aspirational, wide and varied learning experience. Our teaching equips pupils with knowledge about Sunderland and Britain and how it has influenced and been influenced by the wider world; to know and understand significant aspects of the history of the wider world like ancient civilisations and empires; to learn about the lives of certain people of the past; to understand the methods of historical enquiry and be able to ask and answer questions. We want children to enjoy and love learning about history by gaining this knowledge and skills, not just through experiences in the classroom, but also with the use of fieldwork and educational visits.

Implementation

In ensuring high standards of teaching and learning in history, we implement a curriculum that is progressive throughout the whole school. History is taught as part of a half termly unit (with the second half of the term being Geography), focusing on knowledge and skills stated in the National Curriculum. The three main teaching strands that feature throughout Year 3 – Year 6 in our history lessons are: chronological understanding, knowledge and interpretation and historical enquiry. At Broadway Juniors, we ensure that history has the same importance given to it as the core subjects, as we feel this is important in enabling all children to gain ‘real-life’ experiences which often require learning outside of the classroom. For example, bringing Stone Age to life in Year 3 by building mud huts in our outdoor area and cooking an authentic meal on the stove, to visiting a real, local Roman Fort in Year 4, spending a day discovering the incredible world of Anglo-Saxon Northumbria at Jarrow Hall in Year 5, and stepping back in time to Britain at War (WW2) in Year 6 at Beamish. Moreover, in the summer term, each year will study a local history unit:

Year 3 – Coal mining

Year 4 – Ship building

Year 5 – Roker and its surrounding areas

Year 6 – The changing industries on the River Wear

Here at Broadway, we feel it is an absolute must for all of our children to be exposed to the wonderful history surrounding them in our city. Focussing on each topic, which allows for progression throughout the years, heightens a sense of personal history and pride for their understanding of where they live as well as explicitly highlighting our three keys skills: chronological understanding, knowledge and interpretation and historical enquiry.

Impact

The impact and measure of this is to ensure that children at Broadway Junior School are equipped with historical skills and knowledge that will enable them to be ready for the curriculum at Key Stage 3 and for life as an adult in the wider world. We want the children to have thoroughly enjoyed learning about history, therefore encouraging them to undertake new life experiences now and in the future.