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.

Reviews

Not just funny and constantly surprising - but touching, poignant and personal too

*Jeremy Vine*

A book spoken from the heart, the heart of a born teacher. In turns, honest, self-deprecating, enlightening, moving, and funny... This is a powerful and important book.
*Michael Morpurgo*

Brilliant... It's funny, it's profound and it's a cautionary tale
*Alastair Stewart*

Very funny
*Independent*

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*