History

At Plaxtol Primary School, we believe in nurturing inquisitive minds towards the past. We facilitate investigation and enquiry in our curriculum, so that the children can explore how history shapes the past, the present and the future. At Plaxtol, we believe in the importance of children asking and answering questions towards historical sources, historical figures and each other: so that they are actively learning. Learning through history is paramount for the children to understand the world around them, and to help them value and respect the world in which they live. The children are taught to view the past and present as local, national and global citizens, so when they leave us, they are prepared for life in the world. At Plaxtol, we strive to teach a progressive and diverse curriculum which is constantly evolving. Our local village history is treasured amongst the pupils and our village community.

The use of knowledge organisers enables key vocabulary and dates to be embedded in long term memory. There is explicit revisiting of prior learning to ensure that children can build upon what they have learnt. The history curriculum is constantly reviewed so that a wide range of diverse role models from both History and the present day are explored by the children. School trips and guest speakers also enrich the children’s lessons, with learning focusing on real-life links. 

Geography

At Plaxtol Primary School, we believe teaching geography is about nurturing an understanding of the wonderfully diverse world in which we live. A world that is complex, facing challenges and there to be celebrated. At Plaxtol, the children are taught the geographical knowledge and skills to help them explore, navigate and understand the world around them. The children are encouraged to value and respect their place in the world as local, national and global citizens. The children’s knowledge and skills will develop progressively as they move through their school career, so that they not only meet the requirements of the National Curriculum, but are also competent and confident geographers in the world. 

We build on the children's experience of the local area to help them see links on both a national and global level. We have a 'Wildlife Area' on site with a pond and learning space where the children can carry out fieldwork and explore the different weather conditions with rain gauges and windsocks. All children are timetabled to use this space and we run a 'Wildlife' club so the children can help us grow fruit and vegetables and develop a greater awareness of the seasons. An aerial photo map of the school within the local area is displayed outside to help develop the children's map skills and this is continued in a digital format within lessons. 

In order to support our mixed age classes, History and Geography are taught through a two-year cycle of termly topics, so the children are able to dive deeply into the knowledge and skills they are learning.