Let That Be a Lesson: A Teacher's Life in the Classroom (Hardback) - Ryan Wilson

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

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.

'Hilarious, inspiring and so terrifyingly true' Lucy Kellaway

'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

'I was captivated by Ryan Wilson's honesty and vulnerability and loved reading and exploring every minute of this familiar world' Andria Zafirakou

'Laugh out loud funny -- every teacher who reads it will cringe with empathy' Laura McInerney

About the Author

Ryan Wilson was born and grew up in Northern Ireland where knew from an early age that he wanted to be a teacher. Straight out of university, he did a PGCE at the age of twenty-one and, after his training, spent five years teaching in a comprehensive school in Essex before leaving for a Head of Department job in London. He loved every aspect of teaching - the planning, the kids, the colleagues, the material, even the marking - but after a decade of budget cuts, hyper-accountability and unsupportive governments Ryan eventually left teaching to go back to university and now works as a radio producer and reporter. He has written about education for the Guardian and the Times Educational Supplement, including taking on the mantle of the Guardian's Secret Teacher.