History

Our History curriculum is organised into a progression model that outlines the knowledge, skills and vocabulary to be taught in a sequentially coherent way. It is designed to cover all of the knowledge and understanding as set out in the National Curriculum.  We provide rich and varied learning experiences so that pupils will understand these historical concepts and use them to make connections, draw contrasts, analyse trends and create their own structured accounts.

All pupils learn the methods of historical enquiry by discussing how interpretations of the past have been constructed. All pupils develop critical thinking and curiosity as essential tools for understanding and evaluating significant people and events of the past, supporting them to process change, understand the diversity of societies and therefore become knowledgeable, resilient citizens motivated to succeed in the world they live in.  

The teaching of History at Viridis Schools is based around five concepts:  where and when, society and settlement, beliefs, activities and cultures, significant people and causes, changes and consequences  

EYFS

• EYFS follows the Early Years Foundation Stage framework.
• ‘Understanding the World’ involves guiding children to make sense of their physical world and their community through opportunities to explore, observe and find out about people, places, technology and the environment.
• Pupils use books and storytelling to develop their understanding of the past through settings, characters and events.
• Pupils begin to build early schema which relate to chronological concepts such as ‘the past’ or substantive concepts such as ‘king’

KS1

• Pupils begin to study specific events and people of historical significance

KS2

• Pupils begin to place periods they have studied in time and know broad developments across periods. 

Pupils are offered a wide range of enriching and engaging experiences which are designed to develop their knowledge and understanding of the world around them and the concepts taught within History. Book corners are well-resourced with high-quality and engaging texts and a wide variety of artefacts are used to spark imagination and develop a deeper understanding of abstract concepts.  Educational trips, workshops and visits are carefully mapped out, including making the most of local history (Hackney Museum), but also the museums and landmarks that London offers.  Enrichment weeks and months such as World Week and Black History Month are celebrated annually. Strong links with the local community are also utilised where guests are invited in to share real-life experiences.  

Geography

Our Geography curriculum is designed to cover all of the knowledge and understanding as set out in the National Curriculum. We provide rich and varied learning experiences so that pupils are inspired to be curious and fascinated about the world and its people. All pupils learn about diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments, alongside developing a deep understanding of the earth’s key physical and human processes. The learned geographical knowledge, understanding and skills provide the framework and approaches that explain how the earth’s features, at different scales, are shaped, interconnected and changed over time. 

 The teaching of Geography at Viridis Schools is based around four concepts:  location (where), place (what), human and physical processes and features (why) and  geographical skills (how).

EYFS

• EYFS follows the Early Years Foundation Stage framework.
• ‘Understanding the World’ involves guiding children to make sense of people, culture and communities as well as the natural world.
• Pupils draw on their experiences and develop an understanding of themselves, their families and their local community, whilst also identifying similarities and differences between the natural world around them and contrasting environments.  

KS1 

• Pupils develop knowledge about the world, the United Kingdom and their locality and learn basic subject-specific vocabulary relating to human and physical geography.
• Pupils begin to use geographical skills, including first-hand observation to enhance their locational awareness. 

KS2

• Pupils extend their knowledge and understanding further afield to Europe and beyond, whilst learning the location and characteristics of a range of the world’s most significant human and physical features. 

Pupils are offered a wide range of enriching and engaging experiences which are designed to develop their knowledge and understanding of how the Earth is structured and its relationship with humans. Enrichment weeks such as World Week are celebrated annually and educational trips, workshops and visits are carefully mapped out in order to fully capitalise on our local area and the changes it has endured. Field trips encompassing fieldwork play a vital role in our Geography curriculum and include visits to local parks, canals, museums and visits further afield e.g. Southend. Strong links with the local community are also utilised with visits to local markets and discussions with local people and businesses.  

Religious Education

Our RE curriculum promotes an enquiry-based approach through the implementation of the Hackney Agreed Syllabus for RE from Key Stage One and Two and is used to contribute to the learning experiences of the Early Learning Goals within EYFS.

Religious Education supports pupils to acquire and develop knowledge and understanding of Christianity and the other principal religions represented in Great Britain; to appreciate the way that religious beliefs shape life and behaviour, develop the ability to make reasoned and informed judgements about religious and moral issues and enhance their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. It plays an important role, along with all other curriculum areas, particularly PSHCE, in promoting social awareness and understanding in our children. We encourage our pupils to ask questions about the world and to reflect on their own beliefs, values and experiences. We include and promote British values, ensuring that children are aware of their rights and responsibilities as UK citizens.

Skill progression is planned under three key themes including thinking about religion, belief, practice and sources, enquiring and investigating meaning and reflecting, evaluating and communicating meaning.

EYFS

• Pupils are taught about traditions, beliefs and world views outside of their own experiences through exploring other cultures and practices in the wider world.

KS1 and KS2

• Pupils learn about the six major world religions: Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Judaism and Buddhism.
• These are revisited in increasing depth as pupils move through the school.
• Pupils are encouraged to develop their questioning, and think more deeply about the spiritual, ethical, moral and social context of their learning.
• Pupils have the opportunity to ask ‘why’, ‘how’ and ‘who’, and are able to relate their thinking to a wider range of cultures and religions.

Pupils are offered a wide range of enriching and engaging experiences which are designed to develop their knowledge and understanding of the world around them and the concepts taught within RE.  Pupils have the opportunity to visit various places of worship and meet people from various religious and belief communities. These include visits to a church, Sikh temple and Mosque. Whole school events such as key calendar events, assemblies and class council topics enable the children to further enhance their understanding of world religions, beliefs and practices.

Humanities and RE Gallery