I saw a call for teacher-bloggers on Twitter – I’m an English teacher and my response led me to a proof copy of this book, a memoir by a secondary school English teacher-turned-journalist. Thanks to Kate Neilan and Penguin Random House for my copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
The book covers the teaching journey of Ryan Wilson, an Irish secondary school teacher of English. It follows him from his time as a PGCE student through being newly qualified in an Essex school and into a Head of Department role in a London school. Along the way, he recounts incidents that have stuck with him – often very funny but also sometimes sad or revelatory.
On the lighter end of things, this book is very funny and will certainly strike a chord with anyone who has spent time in a classroom. Every teacher has a cache of strange, surprising and hilarious things that have happened to them – and Wilson perhaps more than most! I laughed out loud several times during the book – the projector story, the water game and pupils’ tenuous grasp on Shakespeare were highlights.
Teachers will also recognise the stories about individual pupils who have left an indelible impression on their educator. This can sometimes be pupils who have overcome challenges and achieved in spite of huge setbacks, but can equally be those we wish we could have helped more. Teaching can sometimes make you feel that you have so much to learn and this is conveyed beautifully in Wilson’s book.
Also recognisable to teachers among us are the frustrations of teaching – especially the data and workload that add little to the experience or outcome of learners. It isn’t a secret that Wilson is no longer in teaching (it’s in his bio) and I think teachers will find a lot of his feelings towards the end of the book are relatable. Wilson’s take on the government’s education policy is absolutely spot-on – and the discussion os the 2012 grades fiasco will also bring back nightmares for English teaching colleagues.
However, this isn’t a universal book about teaching – it is a personal story by Wilson who also narrates his struggle with accepting his sexuality and personal tragedies over the course of his teaching career. Indeed, there are some really sad stories in the book.
Overall, I would recommend this book to all secondary school English teachers who will find echoes of their own experiences here.
However, that would be a very niche readership and this book has much wider appeal!
Anyone who has pondered a career in teaching, anyone who remembers their school experiences or anyone who enjoys an insider’s view of an interesting job will love this book.
If you’d like a copy of this book, please use my affilate link – thanks for supporting my blog with any purchases.
Header photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash.
