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HWS History @hwshistory.bsky.social · 16h

Excited to be taking a new bunch of Year13s to Auschwitz next week. Did the usual parents briefing I’ve delivered many times before - depressing to think that given the current state of the world, the trip is more relevant now than when I first did it 12 years ago.

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HWS History @hwshistory.bsky.social · 18d

The trouble with being a History teacher is that watching the news triggers historical parallels: Now I’m haunted by the fact that in 1934 most Germans who voted Nazi weren’t necessarily antisemitic - they were just prepared to overlook Nazi racism because they wanted to ‘reclaim their country’.

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HWS History @hwshistory.bsky.social · 26d

A week to contemplate the revolving door of teaching. New classes. A dinner for History A Level leavers off to university (one of my favourite events of the year). And meeting up with former students now returned home after graduating uni. A continuous community stretching across the years.

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HWS History @hwshistory.bsky.social · Aug 30

That would be wonderful 👊🏼

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HWS History @hwshistory.bsky.social · Aug 30

Much as I enjoy the holidays, I’m ready for a new school year. But I dread starting it with interminable exams analysis & unveiling of new policies & mission statements. Imagine a world where teachers were shown this from Akala at INSET to inspire them for the task ahead.
youtu.be/YsK3Q-QNcpQ?...

Akala on Education

YouTube video by Double Down News

youtu.be

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HWS History @hwshistory.bsky.social · Aug 22

A joyous GCSE results day yesterday. But why all the fuss at age 16 when education & training now extends until 18? When I was at school most students left at 16 to start work/join the dole queue. We’re due an overhaul of education & assessment system - that needs some brave & visionary leadership.

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HWS History @hwshistory.bsky.social · Aug 19

Like many teachers I use this London Transport recruitment poster in my migration lessons. To my shame I’ve not thought about the actual woman in the picture.Thanks to Michael Rosen I now know this is Claudette Hart. a salutary reminder to respect that History is the experience of ordinary people.

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HWS History @hwshistory.bsky.social · Aug 15

So the Daily Mail a paper who is sceptical about the value of universities (and indeed education in general) has again come up with a set of rankings. Having dealt with students in Clearing yesterday this thinking is so damaging & ill-informed.

www.timeout.com/uk/news/the-...

The best (and worst) universities in Britain have been named by the Daily Mail

Neither Oxford or Cambridge are in first place

www.timeout.com

HWS History @hwshistory.bsky.social · Aug 7

Every year there’s a story to discredit our broken UCAS system. I’m pleased more students might get their first choice. But others won’t have applied in the first place because they were put off by published offers. And it’s just more unnecessary anxiety at a stressful time.
bbc.com/news/article...

More teens to get their choice of uni even if they miss their grades, says Ucas

A record number of 18-year-olds will get into their first choice, even if they miss their grades.

bbc.com

HWS History @hwshistory.bsky.social · Aug 4

Visited a large museum of the Resistance & Liberation in a small town in an out of the way part of France. Insightful & sensitive handling not just of the heroic aspects but also the issues of Petainist collaboration & Vichy’s role in the Holocaust. Such nuance & honesty too rare in public History.

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HWS History @hwshistory.bsky.social · Aug 3

We saw racist historian David Starkey reveal his true colours and commit career suicide at the time of BLM. Let’s hope apologist of imperialism and darling of the Right Niall Fergusson does the same.

kmflett.wordpress.com/2025/08/02/g...

Genocide in Gaza a ‘luxury belief’: Sir Niall Ferguson departs the ranks of serious historians

Genocide in Gaza a ‘luxury belief: Niall Ferguson departs the ranks of serious historians Sir Niall Ferguson, knighted not long ago by King Charles and someone who has advised Kemi Badenoch is a ri…

kmflett.wordpress.com

HWS History @hwshistory.bsky.social · Aug 1

Another History teacher on holiday pleasure is catching up on historical dramas on my tablet. Easy to mock, but actually they have a place in the classroom to instil a sense of period & historical empathy. Except of course when they’re just anachronistic crap.
www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...

TV’s best (and worst) historical epics: from Wolf Hall to I, Claudius

Sweeping dramas set in days of yore are everywhere. But which are some of the finest television ever created? And which are little more than an excuse to show naked backsides?

www.theguardian.com

HWS History @hwshistory.bsky.social · Jul 27

One of the joys of being a History teacher on holiday is getting to read some History. One of the disadvantages is when something like this genuinely challenges your thinking about a topic you have taught for a while. And then you realise you’re going to have to re-plan a whole series lessons 🤦🏻😂

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HWS History @hwshistory.bsky.social · Jul 26

Finding names for new parties on the Left can quickly dissolve into a Monty Python sketch. And at the turn of the 19th century nay-sayers in the trade union move we’re worried that an emerging Labour Party would split the Liberal vote. Plus ca change..,

K M Flett @keithbeard.bsky.social · Jul 25

wp.me/p15p2Q-eGU

What’s in a name? The debate on what the name of the Independent Labour Party should be (1893)

The report below is from the Glasgow Herald 14th January 1893. An interesting context in respect of the new as yet unnamed party being formed by Zarah Zultana and Jeremy Corbyn Mr GEORGE CARSON (Gl…

wp.me

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HWS History @hwshistory.bsky.social · Jul 14

The last week of term. I'm having a lot of conversations about careers with leavers ( Y11 & Y13) and former students now graduating. I'm tempted to recommend David Gerber's book. To encourage them to do work with meaning both for them & society. So proud my own daughters work in the public sector

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HWS History @hwshistory.bsky.social · Jun 30

As a teacher this is such a discombobulating time of year. Shattered after the stresses of exam prep. ‘Gain time’ for curriculum development once exam classes gone. And the bitter-sweet revolving door of saying goodbyes to students we’ve built relationships with - sometimes for 7 years.

HWS History @hwshistory.bsky.social · Jun 7

Serves me right: After bemoaning absence of women from the A Level English Revolution spec - the exam yesterday had a Leveller women source. Don’t know whether to be happy or annoyed at the exam board for featuring topics not in the spec or their approved textbook. Good job I teach beyond the spec.

HWS History @hwshistory.bsky.social · May 31

Always had a fascination for pirates: First read about them in Christopher Hill’s work, & later Marcus Rediker. Their inclusive, communal & libertarian counter culture a great way in to teaching the attitudes of the era; a mirror image to the great chain of being.

open.spotify.com/episode/5jap...

E104: Pirates, part 2

Working Class History · Episode

open.spotify.com

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HWS History @hwshistory.bsky.social · May 21

When Y13 have their English Revolution exam in a couple of weeks let’s hope they have better understanding of the legal concept of habeas corpus than the US Secretary for Homeland Security🤦 She needs to study the 5 Knights Case of 1627 or the John Hampden case of 1637.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/...

Kristi Noem incorrectly defines 'habeas corpus' in Senate hearing

Watch: Homeland Security Secretary is asked what

www.bbc.co.uk

HWS History @hwshistory.bsky.social · May 16

Feeling privileged to have Leila Hassan-Howe
speak to my Year 9s about Black British Civil Rights campaigns in the 70s with her late partner Darcus Howe. Also feeling proud to be part of a school where we can build this into our History curriculum. @hdesilva.bsky.social @calmleadership.bsky.social

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HWS History @hwshistory.bsky.social · May 12

Just booked this: I love working with colleagues who regard this as a good night out for the History department.

www.fane.co.uk/david-olusog...

David Olusoga Tickets, Tour Dates & Concerts - Fane

Buy face value David Olusoga tickets from Fane, a primary ticket agent for David Olusoga. View tour dates, event details and more.

www.fane.co.uk

HWS History @hwshistory.bsky.social · May 12

I love teaching the migration unit for GCSE. I particularly enjoy the story of the Huguenots - the first refugee community to settle in the East End. And it was especially good to explain to Year 10 that one in six of us in London have Huguenot ancestry - including Nigel Farag

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HWS History @hwshistory.bsky.social · May 10

Results days are looming with all the angst that brings for students & staff. I'm not happy with the plan to roll out delivery of results by an app. Important that teachers are there to celebrate and support as needed, especially progression to uni. Provides a bit of humanity in an inhumane system.

HWS History @hwshistory.bsky.social · May 6

It's the time of year when teachers get leaving gifts from students. Always very appreciated, but this year was the best ever: Two former students both mentioned me in the acknowledgements in their final undergraduate dissertations. For once I'm genuinely humbled and actually stuck for words...

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HWS History @hwshistory.bsky.social · May 5

Flag-waiving & parades eclipses the history of VE Day. My parents were teenagers in the blitz & WW2 was hugely formative. But their experience was of community & collectivism not patriotism. Excellent article:

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

My VE Day was nothing like our image of it today. I hope we can honour what it really meant | Sheila Hancock

Our street party tea was a muted celebration, full of uncertainty. Then, as now, we faced a long struggle towards a better world, says actor and writer Sheila Hancock

www.theguardian.com

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