HISTORY

Stanwix School History Vision.

At Stanwix School, our History curriculum is designed to inspire pupils’ curiosity about the past—both within their local community and in the wider world. Through engaging and meaningful learning, History helps our children understand change over time, the diversity of societies, their own identity and the challenges faced by people in different periods.

We believe that a strong understanding of chronology is essential. Pupils will develop a secure sense of time, enabling them to organise their knowledge of the past clearly and coherently. They will learn how the past differs from the present, recognising that people in other times and places held different beliefs, values and attitudes. They will also explore how the present—and the future—is shaped by what has come before.

Our History curriculum equips children to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments and develop informed perspectives and sound judgment. We aim to foster a lifelong interest in History and an appreciation of its relevance in understanding the world today.

History Curriculum Rationale

At Stanwix School, we follow the Kapow Primary History scheme to ensure a clear and coherent progression of historical knowledge, skills and vocabulary from EYFS to Year 6. The scheme is fully aligned with the National Curriculum, ensuring comprehensive coverage, while supporting children in developing curiosity, analytical thinking and a strong sense of historical chronology.

We have carefully adapted and enriched the scheme to reflect the exceptionally rich historical context of our local area, making links to our local history. These adaptations allow us to embed learning within the children’s lived experiences and strengthen their connection to the past. Local links include:

• Our Romans unit is deeply rooted in our locality, with direct links to Petriana Fort, which lies beneath the school grounds.  and other Roman artefacts found nearby
• The Victorian era is covered in reference to our own school building, which dates from that period and through studying the census from 100 years ago.
• Border Reivers are explored through local history studies centred on Carlisle Castle, giving pupils a vivid picture of regional conflict and defence.

We enrich our curriculum through educational visits, experiences and experts. We believe that first-hand experiences are vital to deep and lasting historical understanding. We therefore provide our pupils with opportunities to visit historical sites and museums, which bring history to life and underpin classroom learning:

• Vindolanda Roman Fort – enriching our study of Roman Britain through exploration of a major archaeological site.
• Moorforge Viking settlement, Gilcrux – supporting immersive learning about Viking life, culture, and impact.
• Carlisle Castle – used to explore local medieval and early modern history, including the Border Reivers and Monarchs.
• Tullie House Museum
• Solway Aviation Museum

These visits complement the curriculum and allow children to explore historical environments, artefacts and stories in meaningful and memorable ways.