A colourful cast of characters woven into hilarious vignettes of the highs and lows of school life make this a brilliant, entertaining read. The detailed characterisations draw you into each event across the school year on a personal level. The sharp wit and cutting insights at first make you laugh and then leave you thinking…could this be so funny and so real at the same time? The taster at the end of the book for the next ‘entertainment’ is also a great read – can’t wait!
David Harrad, Surrey, UK
As a secondary school teacher, it is reassuring to know that you are not alone in having had to deal with staff and students similar to those in this book! The scenarios are described with healthy doses of dry humour, cynicism and comical detail – it did make me laugh out loud! Very funny and easy to read – thoroughly enjoyed it.
Rachel Hern-Quandalle, France
5.0 out of 5 stars. Witty, cynical and sarcastic…I loved it!!!,
I loved this book. It reminded me a bit of my own time in school, especially the bit about trainer permission-slips; we had those at my school!
All of the characters in the book are scarily very believable, even if they are slightly mad. It was interesting to see inside the mind of a teacher and I loved reading about all the hilarious school disasters, especially the school trip that was mistaken for a kidnapping!
This book was quite fast paced and I finished it very quickly. A very fun read and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a laugh.
K. Iles, Worcestershire, UK
This was a funny and entertaining book and a very intriguing and enlightening insight into the inner workings of the comprehensive education system. Rainsford has created believable and recognisable characters in both the teaching staff and the pupils of Gruffud ap Cynan Comp.
Being raised in a small Welsh town myself I recognised many of the traits of the staff and pupils alike and some of the incidents in the book seemed eerily familiar and I could certainly imagine some of my old teachers thinking along the same lines as Dave Falconer.
My only problem with this book was the slightly excessive use of commas and exclamations marks but as I tend to read books without paying a huge amount of attention to the grammar (which I’ll admit does occasionally cause me some confusion) I didn’t find it detracted from the story too much.
Overall a thoroughly entertaining and light-hearted book that shines a bright spot light on the education system showing all its faults, flaws and occasional successes through the eyes of a slightly cynical and brilliantly witty teacher. I will definitely be reading this again.
S. Shove “Ecobitch” Cardiff
I’ve just finished reading James Rainsford’s book for the second time. Aside from the humour and the acerbic wit of an author who clearly knows and understands our educational system there is clearly a man who feels deeply about our children and the future that decent education can afford them. He rants about the inadequacies of the system, the pettiness and the poor management which eventually lead to the disenchantment of not only the pupils but the good teachers who genuinely are trying to make a difference. A brilliant funny read, but with a serious message.
J. Clarke, Devon, UK
Written from the Author’s point of view (that of the only sane teacher in the school), Education is a quick paced and insightful account of life in a comprehensive school. I learnt loads about what it must be like to be a teacher in today’s world and I do hope it’s not all true! A brilliant read, would highly recommend.
H. Robson-Burrell, Wiltshire, UK
As an experienced teacher in a school similar to that described by James Rainsford I fully expected a diatribe concerning what is wrong with the current education system after reading the foreword and first chapter. Luckily, the tone of these sections is simply to put the reader, particularly those not involved in education, in the picture about the current position of many state schools and particularly the school the novel is set in.
From chapter 2 onwards we are introduced to a whole host of characters by Dave Falconer, our narrator and soon to retire Head of Year. Most people will recognise the (rare) inspirational teachers and the more common disillusioned and ineffectual members of the teaching profession. Lined up against the adults are a vast array of some of the most disruptive educationally challenged and hormonal teenagers you are likely to meet. As expected, mayhem frequently ensues.
For those not involved in teaching many of the situations described will probably seem far-fetched, however they are simply a small example of what regularly happens in schools on a regular basis. I sincerely hope that armed response teams halting a school trip is artistic licence, along with the fiasco described at the school prom – if these are genuine then I’m glad I don’t work in that school.
The style of writing is a little laboured at times and far more humour could have been extracted from some of the situations, however I commend the writer on a very honest portrayal of life in the teaching profession today.
UKDana
Having been to (obviously), and worked in, a comprehensive school I can safely say that this book pretty accurately and hilariously sums up the way schools work. TV programs like Waterloo Road and Hope & Glory are good in their own way, but they’re not a patch on ‘Education, Edukation, Edukashun’
Whether you work in schools or not, I highly recommend reading this!
James Marshall, Wales, UK
This is a must for any teacher – primary or secondary. The story is based in a fictional Welsh secondary school and is the tale of a teacher in his final year before retirement. It is an hilarious jaunt through a school year filled with sex education lessons, the end of year prom, the school trip that nearly ended in a disaster and of course an inspection!
Each chapter is a story in itself and so allows you to pick up and put down at will (although I bet most of you won’t put it down until you have finished it!. Even as a primary school teacher I could relate to SO many of the tales – buy it, you will not be disappointed!
R. Morrison, Cardiff, UK
5 stars: Education, Edukation, Edukashun was, Excellent, Excelunt, Escilint.
What an enjoyable read- the book by Mr Rainsford moves quickly and hilariously from page to page- you almost feel like you know the characters described- I couldn’t put it down and read it all in one sitting- it was very funny. The style is easy to follow and the characters interact very well. An excellent read and well worth spending time with; the minutes fly by. Altogether, an interesting and excellent account of a fictitious school. What can I say? Buy it and enjoy- Brilliant, Briliunt, Brileeent!
Dr. J. M. Alter, Swansea, Wales.
The characters seem to jump off the page in this witty tale about a Secondary school. They are so life like it almost makes me think I’ve met some of them before particularly the drama teacher! I’m sure all teachers will enjoy this recollection of school life and relate to some if not all the events. James Rainsford cleverly works through a collection of anecdotes that are both funny and emotional with a slight sense of sarcasm here and there that only adds to the dry witty tone of the book. Clever …… very clever.
K D Smith, Wales
As a retired Headteacher I found this a brilliantly written book on many levels. It is a forceful comment on our educational system. A very funny novel with superb characters who I am sure have evolved from Mr Rainsford’s experience and a wonderful read, as each chapter is a story in itself. Beautifully written. I love Mr Rainsford’s humour. This would be an excellent book for a Book Club, or for older school pupils to discuss. I’m looking forward to the next novel.
J. A. Robbins, Wales
