Understanding the World at Watlington Primary School

The Understanding the World team leads the following subjects: PSHE, RSHE, Geography, History and RE.

At Watlington Primary School we believe that Understanding the World:

• Is to study people, their behaviour and the environment in which they live.
• Unites History, Geography and RE to consolidate children’s understanding of and curiosity for the world around them, past and present.
• Equips children and young people with essential skills for building positive, enjoyable, respectful and non-exploitative relationships how to stay safe both on and offline.

 History Intent

At Watlington, we believe that history is a vital part of a well-rounded education. We know that a high-quality history education will help pupils gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world. We aim to inspire our pupils’ curiosity to know more about the past. Our teachers aim to equip pupils to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments, and develop perspective and judgement. We enable our pupils to explore, question and understand the past and how it has influenced our present. In our history lessons, our aim is to enrich, inspire and ignite a curiosity of the past.

We encourage our pupils to think critically, weigh evidence and develop perspective and judgement. We endeavor to bring history alive through educational visits, workshops, guest speakers and regular opportunities to engage with historical artefacts.

History helps our pupils to understand the complexity of people’s lives, the process of change, the diversity of societies and relationships between different groups, as well as know their own identity and understand the challenges of their time. 

Geography Intent

At Watlington, we believe that it is important for pupils to have a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people. We want our children to be world class global citizens, who have a deep understanding of their local environment as well as the diverse surroundings in the wider world. We aspire to educate our children to be aware of the environmental issues that face our world and how they have a part to play in protecting it. Through Geography, our children have opportunities to become explorers, enquirers, environmentalists and global citizens. Our children begin to think like geographers through interpreting a range of sources such as maps, atlases, globes and photographs. Pupils develop knowledge about Earth’s key physical and human processes. They also learn how to collect and analyse data on the exciting field trips in which they participate – to beaches, towns, rural villages and airports – to name just a few! Our children are taught to communicate geographical information in a variety of ways, including through hand drawn maps, numerical and quantitative skills and writing at length.

Religious Education Intent

We teach Religious Education in order to promote tolerance and respect for people of all faiths (and those of no faith), cultures and lifestyles through the effective spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils. We make links to fundamental British values throughout our curriculum.

Where possible, we provide opportunities for children to hear from guest speakers or visit places of worship to gain an insight into different faiths. The curriculum is designed to teach pupils about the world around them and how they can be part of it. It tries to develop a sense of personal identity and teaches children about relationships with other individuals and groups. It helps them to communicate and reflect on their thoughts and feelings and to approach and question ultimate values.

There are two main educational purposes to Religious Education:

• For pupils to learn about religions and beliefs which have influenced the lives of millions of people and heavily influenced the development of different human cultures. Pupils apply academic skills such as analysis and critical and creative thinking, approaching the study of religion with different disciplines as they mature.
• For pupils to learn more about themselves and their place in the world from their increasingly academic and creative exploration of religions and beliefs.

PSHCE and RSE Intent

In PSHCE and RSE, pupils develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to keep themselves healthy and safe, and prepare for life and work in the modern world. We want our pupils to grow up to be world class citizens. We want them to care for others, especially those less fortunate than themselves and the world they live in.

As part of our PSHCE lessons, we promote the development of spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical aspects of ‘self’ that we aim for children to transfer into all aspects of life, both within and beyond the school. We use the ‘Jigsaw’ resource as a starting point to plan lessons that are sensitive to the needs and beliefs of pupils, parents/carers and other members of the school community. PSHCE encompasses Relationships and sex education, health and well-being and many other elements that help build self-esteem.

Knowledge and Skills Progression Ladders

These ladders are the basis for our planning, teaching and learning. They draw on Bloom's Taxonomy, the National Curriculum and subject-specific schemes where applicable.