Netherton Moss Primary School
Policy Statement
Historical, geographical and social understanding
At Netherton Moss we believe Historical, geographical and social understanding fires children’s
curiosity and imagination about who we are, where we have come from, where we live and where
we might be going next. It connects Britain’s past with the present and the future, helps
children make sense of our place in the world and is central to their development as informed,
active and responsible citizens.
Historical, geographical and social understanding encourages children to interpret the world
around them, from the local to the global. They become aware of how communities are
organised and shaped by people’s values and actions, and how communities can live and work
together. They begin to understand how events that happened long ago or in other countries
can affect our lives today and how we can help shape the future. In these ways, children learn
about similarities, differences, diversity and how we live in an interdependent world. They learn
about right and wrong, fairness and unfairness, justice and injustice. Their growing
understanding helps them make sense of the world and prepares them to play an active role as
informed citizens. Using educational visits and exciting and engaging topics the children
explore Historical, Geographical and Social Understanding in a range of ways.
Teaching and Learning
Learning in this area should include an appropriate balance of focused subject teaching and
well-planned opportunities to use, apply and develop knowledge and skills across the whole
curriculum.
While the National Curriculum in England remains under review we continue to follow the
programmes of study for History and Geography and the non-statutory guidelines for
citizenship that are included in the National Curriculum from 1999.
Our Curriculum Aims
This area of learning contributes to the achievement of the curriculum aims for all young people
to become:

successful learners who enjoy learning, make progress and achieve

confident individuals who are able to live safe, healthy and fulfilling lives

responsible citizens who make a positive contribution to society.
October 2011