History at Sowing Seeds.
Across Years 5 to 11, pupils are encouraged to question evidence, evaluate interpretations, and understand cause, consequence, change, and continuity, while also appreciating diversity, empathy, and significance in historical events. The History curriculum is carefully sequenced to ensure progression in knowledge, skills, and historical thinking. It balances breadth with depth, providing pupils with a strong understanding of Britain’s past and its place in the wider world. By the end of Year 11, pupils are equipped with recognised qualifications or evidence of achievement, as well as the analytical, evaluative, and communication skills that prepare them for further education, training, or employment.
In Years 5 and 6, pupils are introduced to the foundations of history through local studies and national topics such as the Anglo-Saxons, Vikings, and the Norman Conquest, alongside key turning points like the Tudors and the Civil War. Emphasis is placed on building chronological understanding and curiosity, supported through storytelling, artefacts, role-play, and visits to historical sites.
In Years 7 to 9, the curriculum deepens and broadens pupils’ knowledge. They study medieval society, Tudor and Stuart Britain, the Transatlantic Slave Trade, the Industrial Revolution, and twentieth-century history including the World Wars and Civil Rights. This stage emphasises enquiry led learning, with pupils encouraged to ask and answer big historical questions, consider multiple perspectives, and begin producing structured written arguments.
In Years 10 and 11, pupils consolidate their skills and knowledge through formal qualification pathways. Typically, this involves GCSE History, though alternative accreditation routes are available depending on individual needs. Pupils study thematic, period, and depth studies, which may include Medicine Through Time, Elizabethan England, the Cold War, and Weimar and Nazi Germany. Lessons focus on exam literacy, source analysis, extended writing, and critical evaluation, while ensuring flexibility and accessibility for all learners.
Meeting the Needs of Every Learner
At the heart of Sowing Seeds Alternative Learning is a belief that every child can thrive when provided with the right environment, relationships, and opportunities. Through our personalised approach, we cultivate a sense of belonging, purpose, and hope — empowering each learner to take confident steps toward their next stage of education, training, or employment.