Long-term overview - History of Bury - Year 3

The Year 3 history curriculum delves into the intriguing past of Bury, posing questions that encourage students to explore the origins and development of this significant locale. Pupils begin by pondering why Bury exists, which sets the stage for a chronological journey through the town's history. They are prompted to consider the creation of a timeline that would highlight Bury's major historical points, from its inception to present-day significance. The impact of the Industrial Revolution on Bury is a key topic of study, as is the fame of Bury market, renowned throughout the United Kingdom. The curriculum also touches on the lesser-known aspects of Bury's history, such as its prisoner-of-war camp, and delves into the life and influence of Robert Peel, a notable figure associated with Bury.

In terms of disciplinary knowledge, the curriculum emphasises chronology and causation, historical enquiry, and interpretation and significance. Students are introduced to the concept of different historical periods and learn to use dates and chronological terms such as BC, BCE, and AD. They are taught to arrange artefacts and information from the distant past in a sequential order and to understand how significant inventions or events, like the wheel or the discovery of iron ore, have drastically altered people's lives. The curriculum encourages the use of diverse sources to gather information about the past, and students learn to identify and utilise evidence to answer historical questions. They are also guided to recognise that historical facts are often based on limited information and to consider the reasons behind people's actions in historical contexts. Through observation and analysis of pictures, photographs, and artefacts, students begin to differentiate between fact and fiction and to compare different accounts of past events, thereby gaining a deeper understanding of how history is represented and interpreted.