History

At Bousfield, History is an engaging and enquiry-based subject that helps pupils understand the past and make sense of the world today. We aim to inspire curiosity, develop critical thinking, and build a strong foundation of historical knowledge and skills year by year.

Pupils learn through a variety of high-quality sources, including documents, artefacts, literature and first-hand accounts. They are taught the importance of evaluating sources carefully to distinguish between fact, interpretation and opinion. For example, in our recent Beatrix Potter Curriculum Week, each class undertook a project using primary sources and even visited the archives at the V&A, giving children the chance to handle original materials and gain a deeper understanding of historical research.

Each history topic is framed around a key enquiry question, encouraging pupils to ask questions, gather evidence, and draw well-supported conclusions. Key historical concepts, such as religion, society, conflict & peace, power structures, trade and migration, are revisited and developed year by year, enabling children to build secure, interconnected understanding across the curriculum.

Learning is further enriched through trips, visitors and immersion days, which bring history to life. Experiences such as visiting historical sites, handling artefacts, or participating in themed immersion days allow children to explore the past in meaningful, memorable ways.

Through lessons and projects, pupils learn to communicate their ideas clearly, think critically about the past, and appreciate the richness and complexity of history. Our aim is that every child leaves Bousfield as a confident historian, able to make informed connections, think analytically, and approach the past with curiosity and respect.