History and Geography at Gilbrook

The teaching of History and Geography at Gilbrook is delivered through the use of the PlanBee curriculum, which is implemented across both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.

These units are delivered over a 3-year rolling programme tailored to the specific developmental needs of our pupils.

Our Curriculum Rationale

Our primary aim is to move beyond the teaching of isolated topics to ensure that children build a deep, connected understanding of the world. We achieve this through the use of "Golden Threads";  these are key concepts—such as Power, Settlement and Environment.  These are revisited annually. By returning to these themes consistently from Year 1 through to Year 6, we help children anchor new information to what they already know. This  conceptual approach is particularly effective for our pupils with ASC, as it reduces cognitive load by providing a familiar and predictable framework for learning.

Implementation and Sequencing

By utilizing the PlanBee framework across the whole school, we ensure a high level of consistency in how  knowledge is structured and revisited. Each unit is carefully sequenced so that foundational skills in Key Stage 1, such as understanding personal chronology or basic map work, directly support the more complex historical  enquiries and geographical studies in Key Stage 2.

As part of our ongoing strive to ensure the National Curriculum is covered effectively, subject leaders choose annual Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). These are sequential, developmental skills that form a focus for targeting specific objectives. We monitor progress through these KPIs using Target Tracker, supported by staff  discussions, work scrutinies and lesson observations to ensure the curriculum meets the needs of all learners.

Geography: Local to Global
Our Geography curriculum focuses on the relationship between people and their environments. We believe in  starting with the "concrete" before moving to the "abstract".  We utilize our local area, including the Wirral and the River Dee, to teach foundational map skills and physical geography. This allows children to observe geographical processes first hand before applying that knowledge to the broader global studies found within the PlanBee units, such as rainforest biomes or the diversity of the African continent.

History: Enquiry and Chronology
In History, we aim to inspire curiosity about the past while helping pupils understand the process of change and the diversity of societies. We place a strong emphasis on Chronology and Evidence. By using the PlanBee structured sequences alongside local history studies, such as the Viking influence on the Wirral or the impact of WWII on our community we make history relevant and accessible. We encourage our pupils to become "history detectives" using artifacts and visits to museums to develop their own enquiries and understand the "why" behind historical events.

Review and Impact

At the end of each academic year, topics are reviewed to ensure they have been successful in
meeting National Curriculum objectives and, more importantly, that the children have
enjoyed them and been able to access them effectively. Through this process of constant
review and the implementation of a school-wide framework, we ensure that our Humanities
curriculum provides a meaningful and sequential journey for every child at Gilbrook.