Wider Curriculum at Stirchley Primary School

History and Geography

At Stirchley Primary School, pupils are taught a range of interesting and immersive topics each half term. In history, we study many important eras, events and people throughout human history. We carry out projects focusing on our own unique past in Stirchley and the local area of Bournville. In geography. we give pupils the opportunity to study and understand the world around them. This ranges from learning about the creation of Bournville and analysing the human and physical geography of Stirchley to the geography of many different countries.

Through the teaching of history, children gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world. We aim to inspire curiosity, equip pupils with the skills to ask inquisitive questions and develop a judgement based on the sources and arguments available to them. History helps children to understand the differences in people’s lives, the process and impact of change and the challenges of their times. Learning is also enhanced and ‘brought to life’ by a range of activities which include visitors to the school, workshops and trips to both the local area and places of historical and geographical interest.

Across our broad history curriculum, pupils will study many topics of which some include: the Stone Age, the turbulent quest to control Britain during the Roman, Anglo-Saxon and Viking eras, the Ancient Greeks and Egyptians, Mayan culture, the Atlantic slave trade and the Home Front in World War 2.

History gives us a glimpse into the past. It allows us to imagine and understand how people lived across a large period of time and change. At Stirchley Primary School, we give pupils the opportunity to learn about important people from the past and how everyday people lived their lives. We look at the lives of influential people like Florence Nightingale, Samuel Pepys, the Cadbury family, Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Victoria, Olaudah Equiano and Winston Churchill. When looking at everyday changes, we offer topics such as the history of toys and transport, seaside holidays from the past and the moon landings.

Through the teaching of Geography, we provide pupils with knowledge about diverse places, peoples of the Earth and both natural and human environments. We develop a deeper understanding of the Earth’s physical and human processes and the formation of different environments. The pupils’ geographical knowledge allows them to examine the connections between the Earth’s features and how these too change over time. We want pupils to demonstrate curiosity in the unique differences of cultures throughout the world and the physical geography attributed to different continents.

Pupils will study the human and physical changes that have occurred through the years in our surrounding area together with features that have remained the same for many years also. Our expansive curriculum studies many interesting topics such as the countries of the UK, comparing the UK to a country in each continent, going on safari in Africa, weather patterns, earthquakes and volcanoes, counties of Europe, South American rainforests, plastic pollution in oceans and map-reading skills.

Mr. Varley

History and Geography Lead