History at Ellington

At Ellington Primary, we follow Kapow Primary’s History scheme of work, which is designed to inspire pupils to be curious and creative thinkers who develop a secure understanding of local, national and world history. Our aim is for children to build the confidence to think critically, ask perceptive questions, and explain and analyse historical evidence.

Through our curriculum, pupils develop an awareness of significant events and individuals in global, British and local history, and explore how societies and ways of life have changed over time. History helps children to understand the complexity of people’s lives, the diversity of societies, and the relationships between different groups.

Studying History also enables children to consider why people behave as they do, supporting the development of empathy and allowing them to learn from the successes and mistakes of the past. Our curriculum supports pupils in developing a strong understanding of chronology, helping them make connections across different periods and build a secure chronological framework of knowledge.

We aim to develop pupils’ understanding of how historians study and interpret the past, equipping them with the skills to carry out their own historical enquiries. To prepare children for future learning, our curriculum introduces key substantive concepts such as power, invasion, settlement and migration, empire, civilisation, religion, trade, achievements of humankind, society and culture.

Kapow Primary’s History scheme of work ensures full coverage of the National Curriculum and supports pupils in achieving end-of-key-stage attainment targets while building a rich, coherent and engaging understanding of the past.

Curriculum Documents:

These documents providde an insight into our schemes of learning and our curriculum at Ellington. 

History S Plan:

This is our history S-Plan. It allows children to see their learning journey, from EYFS to Year 6, and to make links between unitrs studied, knowledge and skills.

Useful Links: 

Below are links to documents and websites which you might find useful. 

Places to visit in the North East:

Below you will find a selection of exciting local places to visit. These have been carefully chosen to enrich and enhance children’s learning by bringing the curriculum to life beyond the classroom.

History Curriculum End Points and Key Vocabulary:

Our end points and vocabulary documents provide a clear overview of the key knowledge, skills and subject-specific vocabulary that children are expected to have learned by the end of the academic year.

Curriculum Enrichement at Ellington:

EYFS - Our History journey begins in EYFS, where children link most of their learning to things in the past. They begin with a ‘Wonderful Me’ unit, which introduces them to the idea of the past through looking at their families. Throughout the year, they cover topics such as Ellington in the past and the first mission to space. 

Year 1 - In Year 1, children explore toys over time by interviewing grandparents and family members before comparing toys from the past with those of today. They also participate in a trip to Beamish Museum, where they will discover different toys from the past. 

Year 2 - In Year 2, pupils investigate 'How did we learn to fly?' with Amelia Earhart as their class hero, enabling them to explore the role and significance of the first-ever flight.

Year 3 - Year 3 children take part in a Stone Age workshop, which links to their learning about what changed in Britian from the Stone Age to the Iron Age, during the workshop they will have the opportunity to create their own artwork inspired by prehistoric life.

Year 4 - In Year 4, pupils develop their historical enquiry skills by using a range of sources to draw conclusions about the Romans. During this unit the children will explore why the Anglo-Saxons raided Britain and how Christanity spread through missonaries. 

Year 5 - Following on from their learning in Year 4, Year 5 enjoy a workshop based around the Ancient Greeks, exploring Greek artifacts, culture, and a traditional Greek play. They also take part in a residential visit to Beamish Museum, experiencing life as it was in the 1800s.

Year 6 - In Year 6, children study the impact of war, with many of their class novels linking to wartime experiences to help them develop a deeper understanding of this significant period in history.

Celebrating Ellington & Curriculum Enrichment

Alongside our core curriculum, we enrich learning by celebrating Ellington’s rich local history, ensuring our pupils develop a strong sense of place and pride within their community. As a whole school, we enhance our curriculum through a wide range of exciting enrichment activities that bring Ellington's heritage to life.

EYFS & Key Stage 1

Our curriculum celebrates our rich local heritage by connecting classroom learning directly to the story of Ellington. In EYFS, children visit local landmarks to compare photographs from the past and present, exploring firsthand how our local area has changed over time. There is also a strong focus on 'My Locality' to help children understand their immediate surroundings.

In Year 1, pupils delve into our community's heritage by investigating coal mining and learning why this industry was so vital to Ellington's history. As part of their curriculum enrichment, Year 1 children examine how Ellington is changing, identifying shifts from the past and considering what the village might look like in the future. Children in Years 1 and 2 also take a trip to Cresswell Beach to explore how the coastline has evolved over the years.

Building on this local connection in Year 2, pupils visit the old village school to research how education has evolved through the generations right here on our doorstep. Year 2 pupils also visit a local Christian church, which links directly to their History unit on Monarchs and provides an opportunity to inspect historical artefacts up close.

Key Stage 2

In Year 3, pupils enjoy a variety of enrichment experiences threaded throughout the school year. Through visits to two North East museums, they submerge themselves in history: exploring the world of the Ancient Egyptians at the Great North Museum, and experiencing a Roman fort and baths at Segedunum.

In Year 4, pupils step into the shoes of local miners by interviewing our Chair of Governors, Mr Nelson, who worked at Ellington Colliery for over twenty years, before visiting Woodhorn Museum to experience life underground. Year 4 also examine how farming has evolved over the years, linking this to broader environmental changes over time.

Year 5’s residential trip to Beamish Museum offers a journey through time, traveling from the early 1800s through to the 1950s—complete with a traditional fish and chip supper and period games. Year 5 pupils also participate in an exciting interactive workshop that complements their learning on the Ancient Greeks.

Finally, Year 6 focus on the Miners' Strike, investigating its short- and long-term impact on the people of Ellington through interviews with former colliery workers who lived through this significant period. Year 6 also study the Windrush generation following their World War II unit, exploring how individuals from countries such as Jamaica and Trinidad arrived to help rebuild post-war Britain as nurses, bus drivers, and builders.

By combining local heritage with national and global history, our curriculum enrichment enables children to develop a deep understanding of the past while recognising the importance of their own community and its place in history.