Our Vision for History at St Teresa's

At St Teresa's, our children are historians. Our children learn history as an understanding of our past and how it can shape our futures. Our curriculum is full of topics and themes which will inspire awe and wonder.

They drive children to ask thought-provoking, meaningful questions: they explore and use their historical knowledge of concepts and processes to draw conclusions.

History lessons at St Teresa's help children gain a deep understanding into the complexity of people's lives and the process of change, then and now, identifying their own identities and the challenges of their time.

Black History 

During Black History month, we always come together to celebrate our brothers and sisters. We focus our Global assemblies on leading Black History figures and study a variety of people from Black History and their impact on our world. In the past, we have studied Rosa Parks, Benjamin Zephaniah, Jacob Lawrence, Arethra Franklin,Beyonce, Whitney Houston, Floella Benjamin, Martin Luther King, Katherine Johnson and many more! 

At St Teresa's, we believe history lessons, outside of Black History Month, should celebrate a diverse range of people throughout history. As such, particular attention is paid by class teachers to teach Black History outside of Black History month, for example, please see below, the study of John Edmonston as an historical great in Year 6. 

Visits and Visitors

When studying elements of history, class teachers ensure children are able to satisfy their historical curiosity by experiencing the history with trips and visits. Below are examples of Year 5 at Duxford, learning about the second world war at Duxford and a visit from Mr Wightman, a local archaeologist. 

 

Local History

Colchester is steeped in a rich history: it was Britain's first recorded city and the Capital city of Roman Britain. At St Teresa's, we celebrate our rich history in Colchester by studying different aspects of local history in the academic year.

• EYFS: The local area, close to school
• Year 1: Local historical buildings
• Year 2: A local Castle (Colchester or Hedingham)
• Year 3: Roman Colchester
• Year 4: Victorian Colchester
• Year 5: Colchester at War
• Year 6: Siege of Colchester

The Ancient Greeks

Every four years, when the Olympics takes place, St Teresa's has a whole school focus on the Ancient Greeks: studying their impact on the modern world. Ancient Greek week then ends with Sports Day, living out the impact of the Greek Olympics.