Alex Ford

I am currently lead tutor for PGCE History at Leeds Trinity University and run the teaching blog www.andallthat.co.uk. Before moving into teacher training, I spent 11 years as a history teacher around the Yorkshire region. I firmly believe that every student has the right to understand the people and events which have shaped our modern lives. In essence, I believe that all history is, at its heart, a quest towards a better understanding of who we are.

I am not sure I have found an historical period I do not enjoy learning about, but I do have my favourites: C19th America, the rise and fall of the Soviet Union, and the society of the high middle ages. My love of the C19th America began during my own schooling when I was introduced the drama and epic landscapes of the American West. I think great writing, coupled with great storytelling can help develop the same enthusiasms in pupils today. However, I think it is very important that we train students to active participants in the discipline and not just consumers of a fixed narrative.

Great historical writing is just one way to inspire children with the possibilities of history. Wherever possible I try to incorporate the work of great historians like Michael Wood, Edward Baptist, Elliot West, Christopher Clark, Marc Bloch and so on, in my lessons. These historians all manage to capture the sweeping narrative and personal drama of history, and avoid the danger of looking at history only from above. These are the same principles which help to guide my own historical writing.