Welcome to History at Rainford CE Primary School...

At Rainford CE Primary School, we are incredibly excited to introduce our new history curriculum in 2025, driven by the highly acclaimed Opening Worlds programme.

We believe that learning history is not just about memorising isolated dates and facts; it is about taking our children on a rich, chronological journey through time. Our new curriculum is meticulously sequenced so that the lessons children learn in one term directly fuel and support their understanding of topics in the next. By unlocking a deep understanding of past civilisations, worlds, and cultures, we empower our pupils to grow into thoughtful, educated global citizens.

How Our Curriculum Works: The Power of Connected Learning

One of the most wonderful features of the Opening Worlds curriculum is its emphasis on prior and future learning. Our history topics do not stand alone. Instead, they act as building blocks.

As children journey from Year 1 up to Year 6, they will constantly revisit and expand upon concepts they have previously encountered. For example, when children study Ancient Egypt in Year 3, they use knowledge built during their Stone Age and Bronze Age topics. Later, that same understanding of Egypt prepares them perfectly for exploring the Cradles of Civilisation and the Indus Valley.

This continuous thread ensures that knowledge "sticks," helping children make meaningful connections across different eras and parts of the world.

Local History Focus: Alongside these sweeping global histories, we are immensely proud to include local history studies, such as our Year 5/6 unit Canary Sings. This allows our children to connect their deep historical understanding right back to our own region and communities here in St Helens and the North West.

Supporting Your Child at Home

Because our curriculum is built around rich vocabulary and storytelling, you can support your child simply by asking them about the historical figures, societies, or empires they are learning about. You will be amazed at the complex stories and historical vocabulary they will be able to share with you!

Our History Long-term map (Year 1 – Year 6)

Here is a glance at the fascinating journey our historians take across the school year: