KS1 & KS2 history curriculum

This unit uses and builds on the knowledge of Anglo-Saxon England that pupils developed in the previous two units. The political, social and military consequences of Viking invasion are contextualised by the knowledge pupils have of Anglo-Saxon England. It also develops pupils' causal understanding from previous units such as when pupils examined Claudius' reasons to invade Britain. This unit prepares pupils for a study of Viking life and for their study of how Viking settlement ultimately led to a united England, both studied in year 6.

1. Early Viking raids
2. Seafaring Vikings
3. The Great Heathen Army
4. Aethelred, Alfred the Great and Wessex
5. The Anglo-Saxon fightback
6. Why the Vikings came to Britain

• Pupils need to know that culture in Britain has changed significantly across the course of human history.
• Pupils need to know that societies change across time, but each society adds an additional layer of complexity to history of the area.
• Pupils need to understand that British history has been affected by migration of people for as long as people have lived in Britain.
• Pupils should have a decent grasp of how Anglo-Saxon settlement had affected Britain.
• Pupils should have a good understanding of the main Anglo-Saxon kingdoms in Britain.