HISTORY AT KINGDOWN
RESPONSIBILITIES WITHIN THE HUMANITIES FACULTY
(History, Geography, RS)
STAFF
FOCUS
RESPONSIBILITIES
Martyn Whittock
Responsible for Spiritual, Moral,
Social and Cultural Development.
(Currently Head of History and
Humanities)
Currently responsible for leading Faculty team and
Head of History.
New Staff Member
Head of History
Responsible for Management and Policy in History
Teaching History
Tom Morgan
Head of House
Teacher of History
Head of House
Teaching History
Kirstin Harrison
Teacher of History
Responsible for Humanities Gifted and Talented
Teaching History
Danny O’Callaghan
Head of Geography
Responsible for Management and Policy in
Geography
Teaching Geography
Clare England
Head of House
Teacher of Geography
Head of House
Teaching Geography
Hayley Keeling
Teacher of Geography
Teaching Geography
Simon Harrison
Teacher of Geography
Teaching Geography
Vicky Bunting
Head of Religious Studies
Responsible for Management and Policy in
Religious Studies
Teaching Religious Studies
Clare Pelopida
Teacher of Religious Studies
Teaching Religious Studies
Dave Richardson
Teacher of Religious Studies
Teaching Religious Studies
From September 2012 responsible for Spiritual,
Moral, Social and Cultural Development.
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HISTORY AT KINGDOWN
History is a strong and highly respected subject at Kingdown School. GCSE and ‘A’ Level results are very good
and we are always looking to improve our performance and the experience students have of the subject.
HISTORY AND OFSTED
At our three recent OFSTED inspections the following assessments were made:
January 2006 (Subject inspection)
“Very knowledgeable and enthusiastic teachers… skilled, effective teaching promotes consistently
good, or better, levels of learning… an outstanding curriculum…a very clear focus on raising
standards… inspirational, with outstanding management and leadership…”
March 2008 and March 2011
“Kingdown is an OUTSTANDING school”.
AREAS TAUGHT
Year 7
The Roman Empire
Britain 1066 – 1500
Year 8
Britain 1500 - 1750
‘History around Us’, incorporating key themes of local history
Year 9
The Western Front
Native Peoples of North America
A World Study Since 1900
Year 10/11
GCSE History: OCR Specification B – Modern World History.
Topics include: International Relations 1919-c.1939, Britain 1890-1918, Germany 1919-1945,
Russia 1917-1941 (Historical Enquiry)
Year 12/13
EdExcel syllabus.
Year 12: Topics: Medieval England and Ireland 1867-1922
Year 13: Topics: From Kaiser to Führer, Germany 1900-1945 and Coursework;
Anglo-Saxon England (from Late Roman Britain to c.790).
LOCATION
History is located within the ‘Tower Block’ along with Geography and RS. Each room has its own staff
computer and ceiling-mounted projector. There are laptops available for use within the block and these are
currently stored on the First Floor. The ‘Tower Block’ is due for major refurbishment over the summer of 2012
and this will involve changes to the resources and rooming arrangements (currently under review).
Until the summer of 2012, the three ‘Humanities’ subjects (History, Geography and RS) form component parts
of the Humanities Faculty. From September 2012, they will become three independent departments but
there will still be important co-operation required between the three subject Head of Departments regarding
setting policy etc.
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APPROACH
History is renowned for its excellent teaching, innovation and supportive ethos. We are committed to
engaging students in the challenge and excitement of History and in realising its relevance to their lives and
communities. This involves using a wide range of teaching and learning styles and a full range of resources.
These include a wide range of artefacts and replicas, as well as films, textbooks, photocopiable resources and
ICT resources. As well as encouraging academic excellence, the History Department makes medieval siege
engines and totem poles, writes ‘trench letters’, uses History board games and simulations, critically uses
genuine Roman and First World War artefacts, as well as replica medieval weapons.
Many of our ‘A’ Level students go on to study History and related subjects at University level. We believe that
the experience that they have with us of writing high quality essays, personal research (including the highly
successful Year 13 coursework unit) and presenting substantiated conclusions, prepares them well for this.
We value the role of trips and fieldwork and have visited local castles, Avebury, the British Museum and The
Museum of London. Most years, we run a residential study tour to a European destination.
We are developing the use of ICT and are continuing to expand and deepen this.
We are committed to fully developing History’s contribution to Citizenship and Literacy.
We are looking for someone who is:-
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

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Well qualified and committed to high standards of professionalism
Enthusiastic and committed to History
Good humoured and flexible
Adventurous and prepared to experiment!
The successful candidate will be well supported by a committed and enthusiastic team of experienced
historians. Within our partnership role in teacher training with Bath University, we have a reputation for
being a caring department which supports and encourages those working within it, in order to help them
develop personally and as professionals. We look for these characteristics to continue with this new
appointment.
MARTYN WHITTOCK
(Currently) Head of Humanities Faculty and Head of History
February 2012
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