History and Geography

Geography at AHPS teaches an understanding of places and environments whilst the History encourages children’s interest and understanding about the life of people who lived in the past.

We are beginning to teach these subjects in a more integrated way at Allesley Hall, trying to find links between curriculum areas so that children can increase their knowledge, but also apply it in other subjects.

In both History and Geography, we aim to stimulate interest in past and wider worlds.  Children learn about their local area and compare their life with other regions in the UK and in the rest of the world. They learn how to draw and interpret maps and they develop the skills of research, investigation, analysis and problem solving. Through their growing knowledge and understanding of human geography, children gain an appreciation of life in other cultures.

We teach children chronology and help them to develop a sense of identity, some of which is based on their historical heritage. By considering how people lived in the past, children are better able to make life choices today.

At AHPS we enable children to think as historians or geographers. We provide them with a wealth of teaching and learning styles, many of which are practical, hands-on activities.  Children learn the importance of finding and using evidence, through, for example, studying: artefacts, stories, letters, maps, statistics and photographs. We use drama and role-play to re-create events and situations and throughout all of this, we encourage children to ask searching questions, such as ‘How do we know?’

History and Geography contribute significantly to the teaching of other subjects in our school. We actively promote the skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening and many of the texts that we use in the Literacy Hour are historical in nature.  The children study space, scale and distance when using maps and learn how to use four- and six-figure grid references. They also use graphs to explore, analyse and illustrate a variety of historical and geographical data.  Since the opening of our ICT suite, the children have more regular access to the Internet and other software which can be used to research and present information to a higher standard.

Above all, at AHPS we encourage children to enjoy the Humanities.  We try to make activities fun and varied and involve all children by challenging their individual needs. Most classes have a visit outside of school to places of historical or geographical interest and we have many memorable photos of dressing up or getting wet and muddy to remind us!
Watch this space for photo fun!!