Medium-term planning

Key stage 3

An enquiry (known as a 'unit' in the DfES/QCA scheme of work for history) is a planned sequence of work for a period of weeks, such as a half term or term, or for a number of lessons.

Medium-term planning focuses on organising coherent units of work that relate directly to the overall plan for the key stage. It should identify learning objectives and outcomes and indicate the activities that will enable these to be achieved. They usually show a sequence of activities that will promote progression and some information about the amount of time needed to cover the objectives.

In history, individual enquiries should aim to blend historical content, concepts and skills to enable the pupils to continue to develop their knowledge and understanding of the past. Enquiries should be based around a substantial historical investigation of an aspect of the past such as an event, issue, theme or significant individual, with attention given to building an understanding of the discipline of history and some of its second order concepts: the features of different periods, continuity and change, cause and consequence, significance, historical evidence and interpretations.

A checklist to use when creating enquiries for history:

• Is the chosen area of content significant?
• How can this area of content be turned into a rigorous and motivating enquiry question?
• How will pupils communicate their understanding through an engaging end product?
• How can the pupils be hooked at the start of the enquiry?
• How will the learning be sequenced for maximum motivation?
• How will the pupils be helped to choose and use information?
• How will the learning activities in the enquiry appeal to different intelligences?
• How can the tasks be made to be engaging for the pupils?
• Will these tasks draw on varied and rich historical resources?

Examples of enquiries along with some more detailed plans can be found in Model 1, an approach to planning and Model 2, an approach to planning.

Case studies illustrating approaches to medium-term planning in history in different schools can be accessed via the case studies link in the right hand menu.

Blank templates to use for your own enquiry planning can be accessed via the Planning templates link in the right hand menu.