Paperback Review Of ‘Teacher On The Run’

Authors usually write about their working lives in order to escape them, draining them of the juicy bits (carefully changing the names and hair colour of key players), then tossing away the husk to enter the glam of literary life. Not Gilbert. This young teacher chronicled his earlier career in ‘I’m A Teacher, Get Me Out Of Here’, and this sequel reveals just as much passion for his often-maligned profession. After three years at an inner-city school, he returns to his former suburban comprehensive, but, as the title suggests, the move doesn’t turn out to be as cosy as it sounds. Gilbert writes with clarity, openness and optimism (inspired as he is by a job he clearly loves) and for that he gets top marks. (Short Books, £7.99)

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