At Heartwood Federation, our vision and values are at the heart of everything we do. Guided by our vision, “Together, we place children at the heart, nurturing love, respect and life-long learning,” and rooted in our core values of Love, Respect and Perseverance, we believe that History helps children understand the world they live in by exploring the people, events and developments that have shaped the past.

Our History curriculum inspires curiosity about the past and encourages children to think critically about how historical events have influenced societies, cultures and communities over time. Through the study of local, British and world history, pupils develop a secure understanding of chronology, historical significance, change and continuity, cause and consequence, and the use of evidence. We aim to nurture inquisitive historians who can ask thoughtful questions, evaluate sources and develop their own informed interpretations of the past.

One of the key strengths of being part of Heartwood Federation is the opportunity to work collaboratively across our schools. By sharing expertise, effective practice, resources and professional knowledge, we are able to continually strengthen curriculum provision for all children while supporting staff through a strong network of professional collaboration.

To support this work, Heartwood Federation has a History Subject Champion who acts as an ambassador for History across the federation. The Subject Champion leads professional development, facilitates the sharing of best practice, supports curriculum development and helps ensure high-quality History teaching and learning across all our schools.

Our federation shares a common History vision, curriculum principles and progression framework. This ensures consistency, high expectations and a coherent learning journey for all pupils, enabling children to build their historical knowledge and skills progressively as they move through the primary years.

Whilst our curriculum intent and progression are shared, each school within Heartwood Federation retains its own unique identity. Our schools serve different communities and children with their own interests, experiences and needs. As a result, the curriculum is brought to life in ways that are meaningful and relevant to each setting. Teachers carefully adapt learning to meet the needs of their pupils, drawing on local history, enrichment opportunities and children's interests to make learning engaging and purposeful.

This balance of shared ambition and local autonomy is a defining strength of Heartwood Federation: working together to provide the very best History education while celebrating the uniqueness of each school community.

Through History, we develop children who understand how the past has shaped the present, appreciate the complexities of human experience and are prepared to become thoughtful, informed and active citizens of the future.

For further information about History within each school, including curriculum overviews, medium-term planning and current areas of learning, please visit the individual History pages for:

• Upton St Leonards Primary School
• Nailsworth Primary School
• Bisley Blue Coat Primary School