History & Geography
History
At Gladstone Park Primary School, we are ambitious for every child to develop a deep understanding of the past and to begin their journey as confident, curious historians. Our history curriculum is built around the knowledge-rich Pearson programme, which is carefully structured to ensure that both knowledge and skills develop progressively over time. This means that pupils continually build on what they have learned before, making meaningful connections between previous periods of history and the topics they are studying in the present. Through this coherent and cumulative approach, children are supported to retain key knowledge, see patterns across time and grow in confidence as historians.
Alongside substantive knowledge – the key facts, events, people and concepts that children need to know about different historical periods – we explicitly teach disciplinary knowledge, which helps pupils understand how historians work. This includes learning how to ask and answer historical questions, analyse sources and evidence, identify cause and consequence, recognise similarities and differences, and understand change and continuity over time. In the Early Years, history is taught through Understanding the World, where children begin to develop a sense of the past and present, talk about their own lives and experiences, and explore ideas of time and age. In Years 1 and 2, pupils study history across three terms, allowing them to explore topics in depth and develop secure foundations of knowledge and historical thinking. In Years 3 to 6, history is taught in Autumn 1, Spring 1 and Summer 1, enabling pupils to revisit and build upon prior learning as their understanding becomes more sophisticated.
Assessment is an integral part of our history teaching. Teachers continuously check pupils’ understanding of both substantive knowledge and disciplinary skills through quizzing, high-quality questioning and feedback in books. Each unit of work culminates in an assessment where pupils are expected to draw on what they know and use the skills of a historian to answer an enquiry-based question. Alongside classroom learning, we enrich our curriculum through a carefully planned calendar of trips, visitors and events linked directly to the history topics studied. These experiences form part of our Gladstone Park Pledge and reflect our commitment to providing meaningful opportunities for pupils to engage with the past locally, within our community, and across London. This offer is reviewed regularly to ensure our curriculum remains ambitious, relevant and inspiring for all our children.
Geography
At Gladstone Park Primary School, we are ambitious for every child to develop a deep understanding of the world around them and to grow into confident, curious geographers. Our geography curriculum follows the knowledge-rich Pearson programme, which is carefully structured to ensure that both knowledge and skills build progressively over time. This allows pupils to make clear connections between what they have learned in previous years and the places, themes and issues they are studying in the present. Through this cumulative approach, children deepen their understanding of physical and human geography and develop a strong sense of how the world is interconnected.
Alongside substantive knowledge – the key facts, concepts and vocabulary about places, environments and geographical features – we explicitly teach procedural knowledge, which focuses on how geography is done. This includes learning how to use maps, atlases, globes, aerial photographs and digital mapping tools; collecting, interpreting and presenting data; and carrying out fieldwork to observe, measure and record geographical information. In addition, we teach disciplinary knowledge so pupils learn how to think like geographers: asking geographical questions, explaining patterns and processes, understanding cause and effect, and forming reasoned conclusions about the world. In the Early Years, geography is taught through Understanding the World, where children explore their immediate environment, develop positional and directional language, and learn about similarities and differences between places. In Years 1 and 2, pupils study geography across all three terms, allowing them time to build secure foundations, revisit key concepts and develop confidence in essential geographical knowledge and skills. In Years 3 to 6, geography is taught in Autumn 2, Spring 2 and Summer 2, enabling pupils to revisit and build upon prior learning as their geographical understanding becomes increasingly sophisticated.
Assessment is embedded throughout our geography teaching. Teachers continuously check pupils’ understanding of substantive, procedural and disciplinary knowledge through regular quizzing, questioning and feedback in lessons and books. Each unit concludes with an assessment where pupils are expected to apply their knowledge and skills to answer an enquiry-based question. These assessments also require pupils to demonstrate their geographical literacy, including accurate use of subject-specific vocabulary, maps, diagrams, data and explanations. Alongside classroom learning, our geography curriculum is enriched through a carefully planned programme of trips, fieldwork and events linked to the topics studied. These experiences form part of our Gladstone Park Pledge and reflect our commitment to providing meaningful opportunities for pupils to explore their local area, engage with their community, and deepen their understanding of London and the wider world.
