Humanities
Curriculum intent
At The Park and Parkwall Federation, we want our children to become curious historians and geographers who explore the world around them, investigate evidence and develop an understanding of how the past has shaped our present. Through studying places, people, environments and civilisations, children develop a sense of belonging to their local community while learning about the wider world.
Our Humanities curriculum helps children build the core values of collaboration, aspiration, resilience and responsibility. They learn from the achievements and mistakes of others, persevere with challenging enquiries and understand how past decisions and our current actions—especially regarding global citizenship and sustainability—will influence the future. By the end of primary school, children will have a secure understanding of the past and a curiosity about how to be active, thoughtful citizens of the future.
What does learning look like at our school?
In History: Children explore exciting topics such as Ancient Egypt, the Romans, Vikings, Ancient Greece, the Maya and World War II. They also explore the history of Bristol to help them understand their own place in history. We bring learning to life through immersive experiences, including Egyptology and Viking workshops and visits to places such as the SS Great Britain. These opportunities to investigate artefacts and primary and secondary sources encourage children to think critically and make informed conclusions.
In Geography: Children ask questions, investigate real-life issues and explore themes such as migration, trade, water and community. Through topics linked to the Sustainable Development Goals, they learn about fairness and the challenges facing our planet today. Fieldwork is at the heart of our curriculum. During our annual Fieldwork Fortnight and throughout the year, children collect, analyse and present data, carry out local area surveys and follow their own lines of enquiry.
How can families support at home?
Families play a vital role in bringing Humanities to life. You can help by:
- Visiting local museums and heritage sites, such as the SS Great Britain or M Shed, to explore Bristol’s rich local history.
- Looking at maps, atlases, or globes together to find places linked to our history topics (like Egypt or Greece) or places you see in the news.
- Discussing sustainability at home and thinking of small ways your family can help the environment, linking to the Sustainable Development Goals.
- Encouraging your child to observe the weather, nature and the local community during walks.
- Watching age-appropriate documentaries or reading books together about different countries, cultures, or historical periods.
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Humanities – Useful Websites
- BBC Bitesize – Primary History and Geography Engaging videos, interactive activities and information tailored for primary children to explore various historical eras and geographical topics.
- National Geographic Kids A fantastic resource for discovering fascinating facts about the world, diverse cultures, history and geography through games, videos and child-friendly articles.
- Google Earth An interactive way to explore the globe, look at satellite imagery and virtually visit landmarks, cities and different environments around the world.
- The British Museum – Learning Explore historical objects, artefacts, stories and cultures from around the world through their interactive online resources.