Description

‘A frank, funny and long overdue ode to teachers and teaching’ Adam Kay

‘Hilarious, inspiring and so terrifyingly true’ Lucy Kellaway

The malodorous horrors of Sports Day.
Bracing yourself for Parents’ Evening.
Refereeing teenage relationship dramas.

This is not what you see in the adverts.

From the age of eight, Ryan Wilson dreamt of being a teacher. This is the inside story of his time at the chalkface, from fresh-faced trainee with grand ideals to exhausted assistant head battling ever-changing government demands. It is a tribute to the colleagues who befriended him and to the chaotic, brilliant, maddening students who inspired and enraged him. From Sean, the wannabe gangster with a soft heart, to David, the king of innuendo, and terrifyingly clever Amelia. And, above all, it’s about the lessons they taught him: how to be patient and resilient, how to live authentically and how to value every day.

‘A delightfully frank and funny book — with a very serious message’ Jacqueline Wilson

‘Not just funny and constantly surprising — but touching, poignant and personal too’ Jeremy Vine

‘A hilarious love letter to teaching – and to teenagers. It throws open the doors to the staff room and our ears to the gossip inside’ Christie Watson

‘A genuinely joyful book and a celebration of teaching’ Geoff Barton, General Secretary of the Association of School & College Leaders

Publisher Review

A frank, funny and long overdue ode to teachers and teaching -- Adam Kay A delightfully frank and funny book - with a very serious message -- Jacqueline Wilson Not just funny and constantly surprising -- but touching, poignant and personal too -- Jeremy Vine A hilarious love letter to teaching - and to teenagers. It throws open the doors to the staff room and our ears to the gossip inside. As someone who was a nightmare as a teen, it made me think of the teachers who championed me, regardless, and the influence they had on my adult life. A timely celebration of the importance of teachers -- Christie Watson An ode to teaching: hilarious, inspiring and so terrifyingly true -- Lucy Kellaway If you want to know what the world of schools and classrooms is really like, this is your book. An unputdownable account of Ryan Wilson's teaching years that describes the absolute reality of teaching in UK schools including the good parts, the bad and all that is ugly. I was captivated by Wilson's honesty and vulnerability and loved reading and exploring every minute of this familiar world -- Andria Zafirakou, 2018 Global Teacher Prize winner Laugh out loud funny - every teacher who reads it will cringe with empathy -- Laura McInerney This entertaining memoir of 10 eventful years at the chalkface further illuminates the debt of gratitude we owe teachers * The Bookseller *