Simon Beale

What a privilege to speak to @mattchorley.bsky.social on @bbc5live.bsky.social about A-Level politics. So great to hear from enthusiastic students like Joe, Olivia and George. The campaign to get Matt to study for an Alevel starts now!

Looking to connect with more people on goodreads; www.goodreads.com/friend/i?inv...

As the school holidays are about to begin (after a 6 days music tour to Germany), here is my summer list for the holidays. A range of activities to help make the most of the 6 weeks. Mind, body and soulful nourishment

As exam classes leave, it’s the time of year to look towards the future. I’ve written a piece on how to craft a department vision and drive meaningful change. A step by step guide for those new to post and experienced heads of department alike. historyiseverystory.wordpress.com/2026/06/11/d...

I recently re-shared a post about sources of historical scholarship. Here is the sequel! How to embed historical scholarship in your lesson with over 25 practical approaches. Organised as a hierarchy based on how much time it takes to implement. historyiseverystory.wordpress.com/2026/06/03/e...

Yr 12 braved the tube strike and torrential rain to make it to St. Martin in the Fields to hear @sarahchurchwell.bsky.social discuss The American Dream at 250 with a focus on The Wrath to Come. Brilliantly incisive and the students made copious notes for their History, Poltics and English A-levels.

Braving the tube strike to take year 12 history, politics and English students to hear @sarahchurchwell.bsky.social discuss “The American Dream at 250” at St Martin in the Fields.

I spoke to BBC News about the importance of active revision. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/… To really get into the concept, here is the blog post that the article is based on. historyiseverystory.wordpress.com/2026/05/02/the���

I attended the launch of the “Teaching the British Empire, migration, & belonging” report, I’ve thought about how it will impact our department Thanks to the @portraitemb.bsky.social team for all your hard work. @ioe.bsky.social @education.ox.ac.uk historyiseverystory.wordpress.com/2026/04/27/r...

I attended the launch of the “Teaching the British Empire, migration, & belonging” report, I’ve thought about how it will impact our department Thanks to the @portraitemb.bsky.social team for all your hard work. @ioe.bsky.social @education.ox.ac.uk historyiseverystory.wordpress.com/2026/04/27/r...

What a fantastic book. Helm, you blew me away! 🥁 Here’s my review on goodreads: www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Wonderful evening at St Martin in the Fields listening to @hallierubenhold.bsky.social discuss a range of topics related to her books as part of “The Conversation” series. My main takeaway is the affection for London, its places and people that she has.

It was a privilege to speak at the “Charles Ignatius Sancho: A Black British Man of Letters and His Word” conference at @northeasternu.bsky.social London. Mark Martin ⭐️ chaired the roundatble superbly as we discussed Teaching Sancho and Black British History.

A brilliant session tonight on “Teaching Irish history in English schools” by @msquinnhistory.bsky.social. Jam packed with strategies and knowledge to make this possible. Thanks to the @histassoc.bsky.social NE network for putting it on.

On Friday I went to Pints & Ponytails. Not only did i pick up a great new skill, it also reaffirmed what great teaching looks like. Here are my thoughts. Huge shout out to @teacherhead and his work on Rosenshin historyiseverystory.wordpress.com/2026/03/08/p...

Could not be prouder of how Florence & Felicity have grown into such kind, enthusiastic and thoughtful children. Four years old today!

Welcome to Teach Environmental Histories! We are a network for those interested in exploring how history can help young people understand the climate & ecological emergency. Talks, forums, classroom support & resources. Click the link to learn more about us! www.history.org.uk/secondary/ca...

Fantastic day having Matthew Green in to deliver a tour de force on the Restoration to Year 11. It was great to get a professional historian in so they could see a professional in action, weaving stories together and wielding their expert knowledge with such fluency.

Great revision session with Year 12. Chess challenge tests their knowledge and exam technique. Moving pieces requires factual recall, taking a piece requires giving their line of argument for an exam question.

Festive family fun. Chicken Berry Britannia Biryani, House black daal, Katchumber and Raita. All from the @dishoom.bsky.social cookbook. Followed by chocolate mousse from the The Devonshire in @thetimes.com

I shared some thoughts to @reteachuk.bsky.social blog about the impact of the Curriculum Review for History departments. I’ve had a chance to reflect further and write it up. #historyteacher historyiseverystory.wordpress.com/2025/11/19/h...

So… on a day that the BBC is raising millions for Children in Need (which we shouldn’t need if the state could offer the right support) The President of The United States has confirmed he intends to sue the corporation for a billion. For the broadcast of HIS OWN WORDS. Madness.

Complex thinking posters for every lens of the approach. Some varied quotes covering a range of historical disciplines and periods. @helencarr.bsky.social @peterfrankopan.bsky.social @historyeats.bsky.social @hallierubenhold.bsky.social

Stage two of the complex thinking project is to have examples from historians own work to demonstrate to students what these look like. Here is the poster for “Contrast” using @sathnam.bsky.social work from Empireland.

Testing out some new posters around complex thinking. Please le me know what you would think and how you would tweak the visuals or message.

Wonderful evening at @britishlibrary.bsky.social listening to @drmirandakaufmann.bsky.social & Sudhir Hazareesingh discuss their new books as part of “Heiresses and Rebels: Stories of Money, Exploitation and Resistance in Caribbean and Atlantic Slavery”.

Incredibly poor customer service from @britishgashq.bsky.social Been told I am £7,000 in debt despite being in credit in December of 2024. Raised a complaint 3 months ago, which got an initial response and gone nowhere. In mean time direct debit is now £815 (x3!). Any help to escalate further?

Please tell me @thehistoryguy.bsky.social has a plan for a special podcast recorded on board.

When a Viking longship docks in London, what history teacher wouldn’t want to climb aboard??? Thanks to the crew of Saga Farmann for being so hospitable and answering all my questions!

On World IVF Day I’m celebrating the science, alchemy and miracle that occurred to bring F&F into our lives. Fertility issues are a taboo that needs breaking. It’s not a guarantee (19 failed cycles) but it’s made parenthood possible for soo many more. #worldivfday

Here is my summer list for the holidays. Something to give the weeks structure and maximise the time I have.

It’s sports day tomorrow. So of course I’ve packed a bag full of so many snacks you would think I was competing in the Heptathlon.

Wonderful anniversary episode of History Hit on the Battle of Waterloo. Make sure you listen all the way to the end as the coda with @thehistoryguy.bsky.social and his Dad is brilliant. Congratulations on 10 years!

Taking the EEF 7 steps model to increase students independence in revision, combined with our active revision strategies of audit, understand, memorise, organise and apply. The active revision clock models the value of structured and meaningful revision.

Listening to the fantastic “Iran & Israel: Allies to Enemies” from @historyhitsuk.bsky.social I told @thehistoryguy.bsky.social the other day that these “emergency briefing” podcasts are exceptional and a must listen. Perfect lens to understand the present through the past.

Just received a treat from @foxlanebooks.bsky.social Beautifully wrapped, speedily delivered with a personalised message! Cant wait to tuck into “Leftovers” @historyeats.bsky.social after hearing her at @yorkfestofideas.bsky.social on Monday. @booksaremybag.bsky.social #choosebookshops

Great use of gained time to be able to engage with @yorkfestofideas.bsky.social .This session on history of food waste and preservation by @historyeats.bsky.social is such an interesting window into social history! #gainedtime @ttradioofficial.bsky.social

It's that time of year when we evaluate our curriculum. I would really appreciate it if anyone could have a look over ours. What are we missing? What needs changing? Does it flow properly? Does it prepare students from KS4 & 5? Any Feedback much appreciated. #historyteacher

It’s not “Daddy day care”, it’s being Dad.

Fantastic night celebrating the launch of “Sceptred Isle” by @helencarr.bsky.social . Her flair for engaging narrative combined with fresh insight is on display again. Cant wait to put it into our curriculum. #historyteacher @hatchards.bsky.social