History at Burnt Oak Junior School

At Burnt Oak Junior School, our aim is to provide all children with a high-quality history education that inspires them to think and work like historians. We seek to ignite curiosity and enthusiasm about Britain’s past and the wider world, encouraging pupils to explore, question, and understand the events and people that have shaped our society.

Our intent is to equip pupils with the skills to investigate historical events, ask critical questions, evaluate evidence, and make thoughtful comparisons across different periods. As young historians, pupils will develop the ability to place events in chronological order, use subject-specific vocabulary accurately, and form well-reasoned viewpoints informed by British Values.

“A high-quality history education will help pupils gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world.”
— National Curriculum, 2014

The IPC and History

We teach history through the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), which allows pupils to explore historical periods and events with confidence and clarity. Through carefully designed IPC units, pupils study:

• Britain’s past

• Ancient civilisations

• Significant historical events

• Important people and places—locally, nationally, and globally

The IPC aligns with the National Curriculum, ensuring all statutory requirements are met in creative and engaging ways.

Our History Curriculum Aims to Help Pupils:

• Gather and interpret information from a variety of sources

• Understand how the past influences the present

• Make connections between events and sequence them in chronological order

• Expand their vocabulary, reasoning, and problem-solving skills

• Develop spiritually, morally, socially, and culturally through meaningful historical exploration

Our curriculum is designed to build progressively through each Key Stage, enabling pupils to deepen their understanding year by year. We enhance learning through the use of historical artefacts, visits to historical sites, and engaging experiences with guest speakers—bringing history to life in memorable ways.

IPC Personal Goals

At Burnt Oak Junior School, we embed the IPC’s eight Personal Goals into all areas of learning:

• Adaptable

• Communicator

• Collaborator

• Empathetic 

• Ethical

• Resilient

• Respectful

• Thinker

These goals support pupils’ holistic development and are reflected in their learning behaviours. The IPC Learning Goals also encourage children to explore different historical perspectives, adapt to new challenges, approach tasks with confidence, generate ideas, and feel comfortable in a variety of learning contexts.

By following the IPC framework, we are able to approach historical topics creatively while ensuring full coverage of National Curriculum objectives. As an international programme, the IPC also promotes inclusivity and global awareness, helping children appreciate the diverse world they live in.