John Simkin
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johnsimkin1945.bsky.social
John Simkin
@johnsimkin1945.bsky.social
390 followers 450 following 190 posts
Taught history and sociology in several secondary state schools since 1977. Published textbook writer since 1980. Publisher of online teaching materials at Spartacus Educational since 1997.

http://spartacus-educational.com

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Reposted by John Simkin
apf102.bsky.social
World Class or Bottom of the Class? A Deep Dive into the Curriculum and Assessment Review

It's taken a while to digest but here are my initial thoughts on the Review and its implications for schools and school History #historyteacher #EduSky #CurriculumReview

www.andallthat.co.uk/blog/world-c...
November 10, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Reposted by John Simkin
fredoxby.bsky.social
Great analysis from Alex Ford on the Curriculim Review.
apf102.bsky.social Alex Ford @apf102.bsky.social · 15d
World Class or Bottom of the Class? A Deep Dive into the Curriculum and Assessment Review

It's taken a while to digest but here are my initial thoughts on the Review and its implications for schools and school History #historyteacher #EduSky #CurriculumReview

www.andallthat.co.uk/blog/world-c...
November 11, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Reposted by John Simkin
fredoxby.bsky.social
www.justgiving.com/campaign/ha-...

The history of Roma, Gyspy, and Traveler people is absent in most schools. Help us change that by donating towards an HA fellowship! In memory of Helen Snelson and in the name of revealing hidden history, developing subject knowledge and doing justice to the past.
Support the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Teacher Fellowship Programme | In memory of Helen Snelson
The Historical Association is working to raise funds to establish a Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Teacher Fellowship Programme - a professional development initiative for teachers - in memory of Helen Sne...
www.justgiving.com
June 6, 2025 at 1:47 PM
johnsimkin1945.bsky.social
In 1930 John Maynard Keynes predicted that because of technology by 2030 we would all be working a 15 hour week?

www.econ.yale.edu/smith/econ11...
November 23, 2025 at 1:00 PM
johnsimkin1945.bsky.social
James Lardner, the last American to enlist in the International Brigades, was the last to be killed in 1938.

spartacus-educational.com/James_Lardne...

@apf102.bsky.social
@hollyhiscox.bsky.social
@youranoncentral.bsky.social
@historywo.bsky.social
@historianmemory.bsky.social
November 22, 2025 at 6:16 PM
johnsimkin1945.bsky.social
AI and the British Economy

spartacus-educational.com/spartacus-bl...

harrisonwriter.bsky.social
bennevis.bsky.social
@counsellc.bsky.social
@andywalker1965.bsky.social
@danlyndon.bsky.social‬
@richardjonesnerzic.bsky.social
@edpodesta.bsky.social
@apf102.bsky.social
@hollyhiscox.bsky.social
The Government and AI.
The Government and AI. Is it going to be good for the people of UK. Last updated: 21 November, 2025
spartacus-educational.com
November 22, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Reposted by John Simkin
bennevis.bsky.social
Left-wing Labour member Orwell would be horrified
that the leader of the party would use the latest technology
to make sure that people
with opinions similar to Orwell's
would not be allowed to become members of parliament.
spartacus-educational.com/spartacus-bl...
@johnsimkin1945.bsky.social
Should George Orwell have chosen the title, 2030, instead of 1984? Keir Starmer as Big Brother
Should George Orwell have chosen the title, 2030, instead of 1984? Keir Starmer as Big Brother.A detailed analysis that includes images, quotations and the main facts of the subject. Last updated: 18t...
spartacus-educational.com
November 8, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Reposted by John Simkin
nomasterszone.bsky.social
This kind of stories we all need.
Zohran Mamdani Wins Decisive Victory in NYC, Triumphing Over Billionaire Onslaught
Mamdani’s win is a historic victory for the left over a powerful, moneyed coalition of forces that aimed to defeat him.
truthout.org
November 5, 2025 at 6:50 PM
johnsimkin1945.bsky.social
Donald Trump and the history of US Tariffs

spartacus-educational.com/spartacus-bl...

@kordanoauthor.bsky.social
@claireharley.bsky.social
@misschrishist.bsky.social
@misscs-teach.bsky.social
@hughrichards.bsky.social
@wrkclasshistory.bsky.social
@freereed59.net
@drfernriddell.bsky.social
Donald Trump and the History of Tariffs in the United States
Donald Trump and the History of Tariffs in the United States Last updated: 12th March, 2018
spartacus-educational.com
November 5, 2025 at 6:30 PM
johnsimkin1945.bsky.social
Clement Attlee said: “Charity is a cold grey loveless thing. If a rich man wants to help the poor, he should pay his taxes gladly, not dole out money at a whim.”

spartacus-educational.com/TUattlee.htm

@misschrishist.bsky.social
@misscs-teach.bsky.social
@hughrichards.bsky.social
Clement Attlee
A detailed biography of Clement Attlee that includes includes images, quotations and the main facts of his life. GCSE Modern World History. First World War. Second World War. A-level. Last updated: 4t...
spartacus-educational.com
November 5, 2025 at 6:28 PM
johnsimkin1945.bsky.social
The CIA Memorandum on Garry Underhill and Samuel Cummings

spartacus-educational.com/spartacus-bl...

@misschrishist.bsky.social
@misscs-teach.bsky.social
@hughrichards.bsky.social
@wrkclasshistory.bsky.social
@freereed59.net
@drfernriddell.bsky.social
@edurbin.bsky.social
@iandawson51.bsky.social
November 5, 2025 at 6:25 PM
johnsimkin1945.bsky.social
Donald Trump and the Deep State

spartacus-educational.com/spartacus-bl...

@youranoncentral.bsky.social
@petejackson.bsky.social
@fredoxby.bsky.social
@mr-s-tiffany.bsky.social
@htenuk.bsky.social
@misschrishist.bsky.social
@misscs-teach.bsky.social
@hughrichards.bsky.social
November 5, 2025 at 6:20 PM
johnsimkin1945.bsky.social
You can read my article on using AI in the history classroom.

www.history.org.uk/publications...

@youranoncentral.bsky.social
@chrisrobbrown.satan.social‬
‪@harrietmarshall.bsky.social‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬
@ginaj.bsky.social‬
@eraldo.bsky.social‬
@jacobtolley1u1.bsky.social‬
@historyhighway.bsky.social‬
Into the unknown: changing technology and the history classroom
www.history.org.uk
November 5, 2025 at 6:17 PM
johnsimkin1945.bsky.social
How do we stop Nigel Farage from forming the next government?

spartacus-educational.com/spartacus-bl...

@youranoncentral.bsky.social
@historywo.bsky.social
@historianmemory.bsky.social
@hpsleeds.bsky.social
@gemmamh.bsky.social‬
@terryhaydn.bsky.social
@arthurjchapman.bsky.social
How do we stop Nigel Farage from forming a government?
How do we stop Nigel Farage from forming a government? Last updated: 30th October, 2025
spartacus-educational.com
November 5, 2025 at 6:15 PM
johnsimkin1945.bsky.social
James Lardner, the last American to enlist in the International Brigades, was the last to be killed in 1938.

spartacus-educational.com/James_Lardne...

@counsellc.bsky.social
@andywalker1965.bsky.social
@danlyndon.bsky.social‬
@richardjonesnerzic.bsky.social
@edpodesta.bsky.social
November 5, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Reposted by John Simkin
edpodesta.bsky.social
I’ve always wanted PR, which enables people to know that their voice counts, promotes more diversity of views, and is a route for more radical policies to enactment. But, I worry that this also goes for radical policies of the right, and even PR is not proof against a descent into autocracy.
October 21, 2025 at 7:33 AM
Reposted by John Simkin
johngoddard1962.bsky.social
November 16, 2024 at 3:15 PM
Reposted by John Simkin
richardjonesnerzic.bsky.social
'Starmer is the most unpopular new prime minister since records began in the 1980s, plummeting to depths unseen even by Liz Truss, while just 12% approve of the government’s record, compared with 70% who disapprove.' www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
My conference pass was revoked for asking difficult questions: this is Keir Starmer’s Labour | Owen Jones
I was told it was a ‘safeguarding’ issue. This speaks to a party that has not only lost its soul, but is scared of the truth, writes Guardian columnist Owen Jones
www.theguardian.com
October 1, 2025 at 3:53 PM
johnsimkin1945.bsky.social
I left school at 15 without qualifications but educated myself via the Harold Hill library and ended up with three university degrees.
historitage.bsky.social Dr Michelle Johansen @historitage.bsky.social · Sep 14
From the 1930s, Britain’s #PubLibs were increasingly staffed by female librarians - usually overseen by a male manager. This fab photo (from the archives at Havering Libraries) shows a group of smartly-dressed assistants shelving books at the shiny new Upminster Library building in Essex c.1963 💙📚
A black & white photo shows 6 white women, young-looking, squeezed into a narrow bay or corridor in a library. Three of the group are holding armfuls of hardback books; the remaining three appear to be replacing volumes on a stack of shelves on the left of the photo. All are looking directly at the photographer and appear cheerful.
October 21, 2025 at 7:17 AM
johnsimkin1945.bsky.social
I am so old I bought his American Gothic album in 1972. I am still listening to it today. It is a masterpiece. Ackles was a complete original and it was impossible to put him into any category. Maybe he should have written musicals like Stephen Stondheim.
historitage.bsky.social Dr Michelle Johansen @historitage.bsky.social · Oct 20
I’ve been discovering David Ackles via Mark Brend’s beautifully-written biography. Down River (2025) details the curious recording career of a relatively unknown US singer songwriter in the late 60s & early 70s. Elton John was a fan. Sadly, no #PubLibs are featured in the biog. Excellent otherwise.
A book cover shows a man in profile. He is white with curly dark hair and his eyes appear closed. Is he singing or performing?
October 21, 2025 at 7:14 AM
Reposted by John Simkin
historitage.bsky.social
I’ve been discovering David Ackles via Mark Brend’s beautifully-written biography. Down River (2025) details the curious recording career of a relatively unknown US singer songwriter in the late 60s & early 70s. Elton John was a fan. Sadly, no #PubLibs are featured in the biog. Excellent otherwise.
A book cover shows a man in profile. He is white with curly dark hair and his eyes appear closed. Is he singing or performing?
October 20, 2025 at 8:03 AM
johnsimkin1945.bsky.social
Donald Trump and the Deep State

spartacus-educational.com/spartacus-bl...
October 20, 2025 at 4:56 PM
johnsimkin1945.bsky.social
Poll on 16th October. Reform (32%), Conservative (17%), Greens (15.31%), Labour (15.23%) and Liberal Democrats (12%). Is a vote for Labour a wasted vote?
andywalker1965.bsky.social Andy Walker @andywalker1965.bsky.social · Oct 20
A divided left is the way to guarantee a Farage Reich and all the horrors that will involve for ordinary people and minorities .
When faced with the stark option of a fascist or a wooly bourgeois social democrat, the correct choice is always the latter.
October 20, 2025 at 4:54 PM
johnsimkin1945.bsky.social
Clement Attlee said: “Charity is a cold grey loveless thing. If a rich man wants to help the poor, he should pay his taxes gladly, not dole out money at a whim.”

spartacus-educational.com/TUattlee.htm

@youranoncentral.bsky.social
@mrfitzhist.bsky.social
@littlestobbsy.bsky.social
October 20, 2025 at 4:48 PM
johnsimkin1945.bsky.social
The CIA Memorandum on Garry Underhill and Samuel Cummings

spartacus-educational.com/spartacus-bl...

@youranoncentral.bsky.social
@kordanoauthor.bsky.social
@claireharley.bsky.social
@petejackson.bsky.social
@fredoxby.bsky.social
@mr-s-tiffany.bsky.social
@htenuk.bsky.social
The CIA Memorandum on Garry Underhill and Samuel Cummings.
The CIA Memorandum on Garry Underhill and Samuel Cummings. Last updated: 10th April 2025
spartacus-educational.com
October 20, 2025 at 4:44 PM