On Tuesday 3rd February, our Year 10 History students travelled to Exeter Northcott Theatre to take part in an outstanding exam workshop performance of Hitler on Trial. The visit was designed to support their Edexcel GCSE Weimar and Nazi Germany course, and it proved to be a powerful and memorable learning experience.

The production was written by historian and author Josh Brooman and performed by professional actors. It brought key historical events and interpretations to life, helping students see the complexity of the period in a way that textbooks alone cannot achieve. Seeing historical figures and turning points dramatised on stage helped deepen students’ understanding of responsibility, leadership and the consequences of political decisions.

What made the day especially valuable was the structure of the event. The play was divided into sections, each followed by a focused workshop. During these sessions, students used exam-style workbooks to explore GCSE question types, practise marking sample answers and learn practical strategies to improve their own exam technique. This direct link between performance and assessment gave students a real confidence boost and helped them identify exactly how to turn their historical knowledge into strong exam answers.

Students represented Coombe Dean School brilliantly throughout the trip. They were thoughtful, engaged and mature, and their participation in discussions during the workshops showed how seriously they took the opportunity. Many commented afterwards on how much clearer the topic now feels and how useful it was to see exam skills modelled so clearly.

We would also like to extend a sincere thank you to the staff who gave up their time outside normal school hours to make this trip possible. Educational visits like this rely on the goodwill and dedication of colleagues who are willing to support students beyond the classroom day. Their commitment helps create enriching experiences that make a lasting difference to students’ learning and confidence.

Opportunities like this remind us that history is not just something to read about. It is something to experience, question and understand in deeper ways. We are delighted that our Year 10 students were able to take part in such a high-quality event in Exeter. We look forward to seeing the impact of this experience on their continued studies.