Welcome to Our Exciting Journey Through History!

At our school, we believe that history is not just a subject—it’s a fascinating journey through time that helps us understand who we are and how our world has been shaped. In Years 3 and 4, pupils embark on an immersive exploration of Britain’s incredible past, diving deep into the lives, challenges, and triumphs of those who came before us.

From the earliest days of the Stone Age to the dramatic rise of the Roman Empire and the enduring legacy of the Anglo-Saxons, our curriculum is designed to ignite curiosity and develop critical thinking. Pupils will investigate intriguing historical questions, explore ancient artefacts, and build their knowledge and skills through hands-on research and storytelling. Each topic encourages them to see the connections between past and present while nurturing their ability to think like historians.

By examining the lives of our ancestors, pupils will not only gain a chronologically secure understanding of British history but also discover how historical events have shaped our communities, culture, and daily lives. Through engaging lines of enquiry, they’ll delve into big questions, such as why people migrated, how societies evolved, and what lessons we can learn from the past.

We invite you to explore the table below for a detailed look at the key knowledge, skills, and vocabulary that will guide our young historians this year. Together, let’s uncover the stories of our shared past and inspire a lifelong love of learning!

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CFL = Character for Learning. NC Coverage = National Curriculum Coverage

Y3/4 CFL Key Knowledge and Skills NC Coverage Vocabulary
  The Stone Age to Iron Age

To know:

- Changes in Britain from the Stone Age to the Iron Age

To be able to:

  • Explain how historic items and artifacts help build a picture of the past.
  • Use a timeline to arrange events.
  • Research answers to historical questions.
  • Plot events using centuries and calculate time spans.

Lines of Enquiry:

  1. Were Stone Age men only concerned with survival?
  2. How did farming change life in the Stone Age?
  3. What does Skara Brae tell us about Stone Age life?
  4. How did life change during the Iron Age?
 Pupils should develop a secure understanding of British, local, and world history, connecting trends and events over time. They should frame valid questions about changes and significance and construct informed responses from various sources.
What the Romans did for us?

To know:

- Key features of the Roman Empire and its impact on Britain

To be able to:

  • Compare lives of the wealthy and the poor.
  • Understand invasions of Britain.
  • Explain causes and consequences of historical events.
  • Use research skills and timelines effectively.

Lines of Enquiry:

  1. Why did the Romans invade Britain?
  2. Why did Boudicca resist the Romans?
  3. How did Romans manage their vast empire?
  4. How are modern lives influenced by the Romans?
 Pupils should develop their ability to connect historical events and relate their significance to modern times through critical evaluation of sources.
Anglo-Saxons

To know:

- Britain's settlement by Anglo-Saxons and Scots

To be able to:

  • Explain invasions of Britain.
  • Use research skills to answer historical questions.
  • Organize events on a timeline.

Lines of Enquiry:

  1. Why did the Anglo-Saxons invade?
  2. How did Christianity change lives in Britain?
  3. How effective was the Saxon justice system?
 Pupils should explore the development of societal systems and evaluate their influence on modern governance and cultural practices.