Coombe Dean School
History Department
The History Department at Coombe Dean is a successful and well established
Department of two well qualified History specialists, currently supplemented by
additional teaching from other departments. The department has a tradition of working
together in a supportive style and actively promotes an ethos of achievement.
This dedicated team of teachers is committed to high standards of teaching using a wide
variety of strategies, including enriching the subject through visits and activities. The
department helps train students from the Exeter University School of Education each
year; the new member of staff would be encouraged to play an active role in this.
Students are encouraged to develop their knowledge and understanding of the world in
which we live.
Numbers taking GCSE are steady and A Level History is a popular choice due to both
the students’ success at KS4 and the quality of relationships established between staff
and students. A Level Politics (OCR specification) is also taught by some members of
the Department as part of our consortium arrangement.
A Level History has consistently been one of the highest achieving subjects in the school
for several years and GCSE History students have also achieved to a high standard in
recent years.

KS3
Yr 7: Module 1: Historical skills; Module 2: The Romans; Module 3: Britain
1066-1500
Yr 8: Module 1: Britain 1500-1750; Module 2: Britain 1750-1900; Module 3
Empire and Slavery
Yr 9: Module 1: 20th Century World Module 2: Civil Rights
Year 7 are taught in mixed ability groups. In Years 8 and 9 students are taught in
groups of similar ability with set transfer opportunities at regular intervals.
Assessment is designed to assist the learning process and provide information
about the students’ individual learning.

KS4
GCSE History
– OCR: Modern World B
International Relations: 1919-39; Germany: 1918-45; Britain: 1890-1918; Russian
Revolution (controlled assessment)

KS5
A Level History – EDEXCEL
1. Russia: 1881-1953. 2. Britain at War: Crimea, Boer and WWI;
3. France: 1786-1830; 4 Germany: 1800-1900 (coursework)
 Accommodation
The Department has two specific large rooms located in the main building of the
school. Each classroom has an interactive whiteboard. Access to school
computer suites is organised on a booking system.