Simon Beale

Oh you’ve branded it!

Teach Environmental Histories network

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

History and The Curriculum Review An extended version of a blog that features on the ReTeach website. No historian would overlook the 5th of November in their calendar but today it had that added significance of being the day the C…

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.

Thank you!

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.

Oh wow! That will also be incredible

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!

Apparently, the pencil-pushers at the Home Office also have no clue how prohibitively expensive it would be to be treated in the US without insurance. I've lived in the UK for 23 years, and I'm a citizen. Why am I being treated like a non-citizen?

Immigration Update: the Home Office asked me to provide documents re: my medical condition, which I did. A few hours later, they asked me to provide evidence for why I cant be treated in the USA.

Um...what? I'm a British citizen. Why am I not allowed to return home for my breast cancer care?

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.

I got you JM.

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.

Hi Jen. No, im 2Q, 1945-1980. Happy to share what I have though. I recommend the AQA Facebook group to help with resources.

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.

Doh! The perils of cross posting!
As I said to Dan, these briefings are so good at giving context for emerging and flashpoint issues. Always feel like I understand the news more after listening to one of these.

Blimey! I should compliment you more often 🤣

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