History

Intent, Implementation and Impact Statement 

Intent 

The history curriculum at the British Section, SHAPE International School, aims to help pupils gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world. In order to achieve this sense of coherence and chronology, the KS2 curriculum has been designed chronologically, interspersed with our local history study and one which extends the children’s knowledge beyond 1066. In KS1, teaching of each unit ensures a sense of chronology through the use of timelines and comparisons to ensure the children gain a coherent understanding of how their unit fits into the past of the world as a whole. 

Implementation 

The enquiry method of teaching is used throughout the school in order to inspire pupils’ curiosity to know more about the past. By studying historical evidence, asking questions and making hypotheses, pupils develop the skills needed to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments, and develop perspective and judgement. Every Iesson includes a ‘next steps’ challenge question which is incorporated into the planning with the aim to give children the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the lesson content and encourages them to consider links between historical periods and across curriculum areas. 

Our curriculum celebrates the unique historical location of the school and is designed to foster links between the knowledge taught in geography. In KS1, the children learn about the history of the school on the SHAPE NATO base and consider how it has changed over time. A unit of remembrance helps them to understand the significance of our location and to consider the sacrifices made by the soldiers buried at St Symphorien Cemetery. Later, they learn about Napoleon and the Battle of Waterloo, gaining an understanding of how this battle sculpted the local area and its significance in the history of Europe. In year 4, the children follow an in-depth local study about WW1, focusing on the Battle of Mons, the untimely death of Private John Parr and the role of Talbot House in Poperinge.  

Impact 

Our aim is that by the time the children leave SHAPE, they will have gained some understanding of the connections between the pasts of Britain and Belgium and an appreciation of the historic location of SHAPE and Mons. They will have gained the skills and knowledge necessary to understand the complexity of people’s lives, the process of change, the diversity of societies and relationships between different groups, as well as their own identity and the challenges of their time.