Our history curriculum helps pupils build a clear sense of time, deepen their understanding of the past and develop the skills to question, analyse and reflect. 

At Aston Rowant School, History is taught using the Kapow Primary History scheme, which provides a knowledge‑rich, coherent and progressive curriculum from EYFS through to Key Stage 2. The curriculum is designed to help pupils build a clear sense of chronology, develop secure historical knowledge and understand key concepts such as change, continuity, cause and consequence. 

As a mixed‑age school, we operate a two‑year rolling programme to ensure that all pupils experience a broad and balanced history curriculum, with no unnecessary repetition and clear progression in both knowledge and skills. 

Long‑Term Overview: EYFS to KS2 

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) 

In EYFS, history learning forms part of Understanding the World and is rooted in children’s own experiences. 

Children begin by: 

• Talking about their own lives and family history 
• Noticing similarities and differences between past and present 
• Using language related to time (before, after, yesterday, a long time ago) 
• Exploring stories and events from the past 

This early learning lays the foundations for chronological understanding and historical thinking. 

Key Stage 1 – Squirrel Class (Year 1 & Year 2) 

In Squirrel Class, pupils follow a two‑year rolling programme using Kapow KS1 units. 

Across the two years, pupils: 

• Learn about significant events beyond living memory 
• Study the lives of significant individuals 
• Begin to understand the idea of past versus present 
• Develop early chronological awareness 

History is taught through storytelling, discussion and hands‑on experiences to develop curiosity and enjoyment of the past. 

Lower Key Stage 2 – Fox Class (Year 3 & Year 4) 

In Fox Class, historical learning becomes more structured and analytical. 

Across the rolling programme, pupils: 

• Place historical periods in chronological order 
• Study changes within and across periods 
• Explore life in different historical societies 
• Develop an understanding of cause and consequence 

Pupils are increasingly supported to ask questions, use historical sources and explain why events happened. 

Upper Key Stage 2 – Owl Class (Year 5 & Year 6) 

In Owl Class, the Kapow curriculum deepens pupils’ understanding of history as a discipline. 

Across the two‑year cycle, pupils: 

• Study a range of British and world history 
• Make connections between different time periods 
• Analyse historical sources and evidence 
• Explore how the past has shaped modern Britain and the wider world 

This prepares pupils well for the demands of secondary‑level history. 

Two‑Year Rolling Programme 

Our two‑year rolling programme: 

• Ensures all statutory content is covered 
• Avoids repetition while allowing key ideas to be revisited 
• Supports effective mixed‑age teaching 
• Maintains ambition and progression for all pupils 

While specific historical topics differ each year, key concepts are revisited and deepened, ensuring cumulative learning. 

Development of Chronology, Knowledge and Concepts 

Chronology 

Across the school, pupils progressively develop: 

• A growing sense of timeline and sequence 
• Confidence placing events and periods in order 
• Understanding of how periods relate to one another 

Chronology is revisited in every unit to strengthen long‑term retention. 

Historical Knowledge 

Knowledge builds from: 

• Personal and familiar history in EYFS 
• To local, national and global history in KS2 

Pupils acquire secure knowledge of significant events, people and societies, supported by high‑quality vocabulary and storytelling. 

Historical Concepts 

Throughout the curriculum, pupils develop understanding of: 

• Change and continuity 
• Cause and consequence 
• Similarity and difference 
• Significance 

These concepts are explicitly taught and revisited to help pupils think like historians. 

How Kapow Supports Progression 

The Kapow History scheme: 

• Provides clear progression in knowledge and skills 
• Ensures consistency across classes and year groups 
• Supports enquiry‑based learning 
• Fits seamlessly within our mixed‑age structure 

Teachers adapt units thoughtfully to ensure high expectations for all pupils. 

Impact on Pupils 

As a result of our structured and progressive history curriculum, pupils: 

• Talk confidently about past events and periods 
• Understand how the past influences the present 
• Use historical vocabulary accurately 
• Ask thoughtful questions about evidence and interpretation 
• Develop curiosity, empathy and perspective