Long-term overview - Crime and Punishment - Year 5

In the Year 5 history curriculum, students embark on an exploration of 'Crime and Punishment' through various ages, with an emphasis on developing their disciplinary knowledge. This includes gaining a robust understanding of British history from the Stone Age to the present day, and being able to narrate the sequence of events within and across the studied time periods. Students are encouraged to identify connections, contrasts, and trends, while accurately using dates and historical terms to describe events. They dive into the main changes in crime and punishment during specific historical periods, enhancing their grasp of chronology and causation.

The curriculum also focuses on historical enquiry, where students learn to differentiate between primary and secondary sources, using them to gather information about the past. They are tasked with constructing informed responses and interpreting the significance of historical events, such as examining various accounts of the same event to understand differing perspectives. Pivotal questions guide their inquiry, such as how 'crime and punishment' have evolved, who introduced law and order to Britain, and the legacy of Anglo-Saxon laws. Students also investigate the fairness and cruelty of past punishments and consider the impact of historical actions on contemporary society, thereby developing a comprehensive understanding of the history of law and order in Britain.