James Ball

About

About

James has almost two decades’ worth of experience in both the classroom and educational publishing. After completing his BA in History at Nottingham Trent University, he embarked upon a career in journalism before making the switch to education in order to share his love of studying the past.

For many years James worked as a head of history and head of humanities in schools in the West Midlands alongside writing textbooks for KS3 and KS4 learners. He now lives abroad and writes full-time.

Published work or mentions

James has worked for some of the biggest educational publishers in the world and has written textbooks that have sold in the thousands. He has also created teaching and learning resources for charities such as the British Red Cross, Asthma and Lung UK and Cystic Fibrosis UK. These resources help young people understand the importance of the work that the charities do. Recently, he has just completed his first book that was not written with the classroom in mind. His book on the origins and cultures of the native peoples of North America is scheduled to be published in October 2024.

Education

Having graduated with his single honours degree in history from theNottingham Trent University, James gained his Qualified Teacher Status through the Graduate Teacher Programme of Newman University in Birmingham

Expertise

James specialises in being a generalist. So much of the joy he derives from reading, researching, writing and teaching history comes from the variety involved. There are endless rabbit holes to get lost down and there are always parallels to be drawn and similarities to be identified – regardless of the time period or geographical location.

Top revision quote for students

“It’s never too late - or too early - to start revising.”