History is taught through topic work. Topics can be taught over three weeks or one term dependant on the topic. Topics are taught on a two year rolling cycle so every child visits each topic once. This also allows teachers to work together across year groups to support planning, resources and trips. Teaching history within topic means learning is delivered within a relevant context and builds on prior learning helping children make links and make progress.
Children are assessed within the lesson through questioning and observation with teachers making notes and changes to next lessons as they evaluate learning. Teachers have worked hard to develop a progression document with clearly identified development in concepts and vocabulary as well as historical skills. Teachers use this document to assess pupils learning before during and after a topic recording the outcomes for the subject leader. Pupils assess what they know at the start of a topic and what they have learned by the end using strategies such as mind mapping. Lesson observations, book monitoring and conversations with pupils show History to be well taught, broad and balanced at Tunstead and pupils and staff enjoy lessons.
