The Importance of History
History fires pupils' curiosity and imagination, moving and inspiring them with the dilemmas, choices and beliefs of people in the past. It helps pupils develop their own identities through an understanding of history at personal, local, national and international levels. It helps them to ask and answer questions of the present by engaging with the past.
Pupils find out about the history of their community, Britain, Europe and the world. They develop a chronological overview that enables them to make connections within and across different periods and societies. They investigate Britain's relationships with the wider world, and relate past events to the present day.
As they develop their understanding of the nature of historical study, pupils ask and answer important questions, evaluate evidence, identify and analyse different interpretations of the past, and learn to substantiate any arguments and judgements they make. They appreciate why they are learning what they are learning and can debate its significance.
History prepares pupils for the future, equipping them with knowledge and skills that are prized in adult life, enhancing employability and developing an ability to take part in a democratic society. It encourages mutual understanding of the historic origins of our ethnic and cultural diversity, and helps pupils become confident and questioning individuals.
Key Concepts
There are a number of key concepts that underpin the study of history. Pupils need to understand these concepts in order to deepen and broaden their knowledge, skills and understanding.
- Chronological understanding
- Understanding and using appropriately dates, vocabulary and conventions that describe historical periods and the passing of time.
- Developing a sense of period through describing and analysing the relationships between the characteristic features of periods and societies.
- Building a chronological framework of periods and using this to place new knowledge in its historical context.
- Cultural, ethnic and religious diversity
- Understanding the diverse experiences and ideas, beliefs and attitudes of men, women and children in past societies and how these have shaped the world.
- Change and continuity
- Identifying and explaining change and continuity within and across periods of history.
- Cause and consequence
- Analysing and explaining the reasons for, and results of, historical events, situations and changes.
- Significance
- Considering the significance of events, people and developments in their historical context and in the present day.
- Interpretation
- Understanding how historians and others form interpretations.
- Understanding why historians and others have interpreted events, people and situations in different ways through a range of media.
- Evaluating a range of interpretations of the past to assess their validity
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