With Harrogate first being evidenced in the 1330s and having notoriety for being a Spa Town from the 17th Century, Beckwithshaw Primary School  makes full use of resources within the immediate and wider local area enabling our children to develop a deep understanding of the rich history of their locality.

The history curriculum is carefully planned and structured to ensure that current learning is linked to previous learning and that the school’s approaches are informed by current pedagogy. We start with teaching our youngest children history that is relevant and meaningful to them as they start to develop the skills of historical enquiry and analysis. This builds as children move through Key Stage Two allowing them to have a strong understanding of the chronology of the history they have learned.

In line with the National Curriculum 2014, Beckwithshaw Primary School aims to ensure that all children gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world so their curiosity to know more about the past is stimulated. Children are encouraged to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments, and develop perspective and judgement. We wish them to understand the complexity of people’s lives, the process of change, the diversity of societies and relationships between different groups, as well as their own identity and the challenges of their time.