At Holy Trinity and St Silas (HTSS), we believe that history encourages an understanding of diversity, change and transition. Children are encouraged to develop an understanding of many different experiences and histories, and are given opportunities to develop their growing understanding of how the world has developed, and what has led to these developments.

We seek to inspire children’s curiosity for the past, and to equip children to critically question, assess and explore their knowledge of the past.

History at HTSS is taught in blocks throughout the year, so that children can achieve depth in their learning. Trips are valued as a way to enrich learning and improve cultural capital: we encourage children and families to explore the community and city around them to investigate more about the city we live in, applying their skills of historical enquiry to ask questions and review evidence.

As children progress throughout the school, they develop a critical and analytical approach to history, the way it was experienced and the way it was remembered.  Children’s historical understanding provides a foundation for future learning, allowing them to question and explore their understanding of the world with confidence.

Black History Month

At HTSS, we believe that Black History should be celebrated all year around, and not only in October. This means that our curriculum is regularly reviewed and updated to ensure we are representing a variety of diverse stories and history. Black History Month at HTSS (Autumn 1), means celebrating a range of stories, experiences and individuals who we can learn from and be inspired by.

In Key Stage 1, this provides a lens to the national curriculum’s ‘significant individuals’ theme, where we look at inspirational leaders in the fields of medicine, politics and exploration (Y3). Whilst covering the national curriculum’s required individuals, we further add to this by exploring people who have not had the coverage or visibility that we believe they deserve. Year 1 learns about Mary Seacole, Year 2 about Rosa Parks, and Year 3 about Mary Jackson.

In Key Stage 2, children continue their understanding of diversity and strength by looking at the individuals present in key junctures of Black History. Year 4 explore Windrush, Year 5 explore Slavery, and Year 6 investigate Apartheid. Through these themes, the children are introduced to key individuals who exemplify our 3Cs – caring, cooperation and courage.

Beyond our in-class curriculum, the children are also introduced to a range of incredible and inspirational figures from the categories of: education, performers, community heroes, politics and the creative arts. The aim of this coverage is to ensure that children understand the breadth of success within black history in Britain.