Q. Favourite period in History?
A. I have lots of favourite periods. I often find myself really getting into the topic that I am teaching at the time. So at the moment I am teaching Gladstone and Disraeli to the Upper Sixth and really enjoying the spiky relationship they had. Long term favourites include World War One and the Interwar period in Europe.
Q. Favourite character in History?
A.
I have always had an affection for the "misunderstood". For example I feel for Richard III and King John. Each of whom have been victims of seriously bad press through the ages. Q. When and why did you first fall in love with History?
A. When I was a boy my godfather bought me a subscription to World magazine - the junior magazine of the National Geographic. I can still remember vividly poring over the pages of the Pompeii special edition. I was staggered by the pictures of the people that were preserved by the ash from Mount Vesuvius. I suddenly realised that History was not about dates but real people!
Q. Favourite baddy in History?
A. I love the mad, bad roman emperors who were extremely dangerous to know. There's Nero and the equally sinister Caligula. You've got to admire a man who made his horse a senator!
Q. Favourite story from History?
A. My favourite story is about a 19th century surgeon from Scotland called Robert Liston. He was a strong, powerful man and held the world record for the quickest amputation (about 28 seconds). You had to be able to operate quickly in those days! My favourite story is not the world record story. I prefer the time when he killed 3 people in one operation! Catch up with me and ask me how that happened.
Q. What tips would you give budding historians?
A. Enjoy your history. When you find a topic that interests you - get into it. Become the world expert. But above all, enjoy it.
Q. Favourite historical websites?
A. There is so much good stuff out there. www.schoolhistory.co.uk is excellent for it's fun approach to learning history. History-ontheweb is a particularly good site for A Level.
Q. If you were not a History teacher what would you be?
A. I've done lots of jobs in the past. I was a very bad postman for a couple of days one summer holiday. In my dreams I would have loved to have played centre forward for Manchester United. I'm still waiting for Sir Alex to spot me!