This Is Your Own Time You’re Wasting: The SUNDAY TIMES bestseller from the hilarious teacher duo and podcast hosts, the Two Mr Ps

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What better way to combat the feeling of wasting your life than to never have a second to breathe and relax, ever again? What rankled with me as teacher, it is people like Frank, aka caricature curmudgeon, that it is people like him that have a very negative effect on a school. Rather than just a witty memoir to his teaching career, which he openly admits he is neither likes, nor is in for the long haul. It reads more like a cathartic mild venting of the spleen, which is fine if it has a something more to hold your attention, not just episodic moaning! We’re unfortunately taught to see a lot of the world in these extreme categorizations, and retraining your mind to instead consider things objectively and think for itself is not an easy task.

A few minor points on SPAG though because, as a teacher, you have to be entirely bulletproof on this or you get your audience twitching in horror or delight. I am literate in my own language only because my time at that school was limited to one year - and it was possibly the worst year of my life. I also went to a private prep school, an LEA sixth form, a Waldorf school, and a state primary. It is because I have seen British education from several sides as a student, that I can whole heartedly agree with about 90% of what the author of this book writes. This is their 2nd book but isn’t a direct sequel to Put A Wet Paper Towel On It (I haven’t read the first one) Inevitably, some stories involve bodily functions and items that belong in an adults only environment but somehow found their way into 'Show and Tell' sessions. Teachers didn't always realise what some items were for, leading to huge embarrassment when enlightened by colleagues.Constantly beating yourself up for not constantly knowing the right way or feeling you’ve not accomplished enough in comparison to others is therefore very unproductive as they themselves are often not as content as they might portray. 2) Quit coasting… Not even basic tasks or chores get done as your brain starts telling you that nothing is worth it anymore.

Millennial references eg. 4 TV channels, overhead projectors, covering books, folding rulers, Parker pens - and loads more I’d forgotten about! Emotional overeating or undereating can be a way to cope with the toll of feeling like you’re wasting your life, but be cautious how much damage you’re doing to yourself in the process. The anecdotes are numerous and entirely relatable, I could definitely add many of my own and it gave a real sense of comradeship. I also related to a lot of the points as a parent and a homeschool survivor. This is an entertaining read that also makes some salient points around education, and can be enjoyed by educators and parents alike. The side-splittingly hilarious and heart-warming next book from your favourite teacher duo, The Two Mr Ps.

1) Ditch the comparisons

As someone who has recently finished teacher training and is about to be unleashed into the English comprehensive system, this is a book I felt I had to read. And it was one I could heavily relate to - although I've had no experiences in schools quite like St. Jude's, it's amazing how many times I smiled or nodded knowingly, having either experienced something very similar or heard a story from someone else who had. Anyone who feels the character "Frank Chalk" is a negative influence on teaching and learning has not read the book critically... enough. Physical activity not only improves mood and wellbeing, but also boosts brain power – so incorporating 20 mins a day will actually help improve your cognitive ability and likelihood of finding a path to achieve what you want. 8) Shun freestyling life…

Our society isn't "broken", in Mr. Chalk's view it is spoilt and as a result - badly behaved - especially at the lower end of the spectrum. This is what happens if you take away consequences, and reward nothing with something. Any (good) parent can tell you that. This was a super fun book based on teaching primary school kids from the perspective of teachers! I adored the first book and when I saw there was a release for the second, I couldn’t wait! If you’re looking for a guaranteed hilarious and funny read, this is your book. Know your enemy. With a new class, always get the troublemakers' names off another teacher, with descriptions." Mr Chalk is saying: "Give these kids a chance, teach them what they need to know for life. Teach them to be on time. To be polite. Basic numeracy and literacy. Let them learn skilled professions and be proud of their work - don't teach them French when they are not fully literate in their native language. Don't hope they will go to University and study XYZ Studies to leave it with 60, 000 pounds worth of debt and no career options."

7) Stop being so sedentary…

I personally went to a school much like St. Judes in Inner-city London in the mid 1980's - that school even then was not far from what St. Judes is now. I shudder to think what the children of those I went to school with are getting up to in class, when their parents (my then classmates) dealt drugs, carried knives, disrespected teachers, brutalised each other every day and lived on benefits - 30 years ago! One could be so simple as trying out a new coffee shop, or finishing that book that’s been sitting on your nightstand for months. As counterintuitive as it might seem, scheduling rest time and taking it helps to boost your mood and refresh your mind when it comes to working towards goals and achievements. The authors are passionate about young people having a positive relationship with social media and argue for the introduction of a Digital Literacy Framework in England (it already exists in Wales). But putting a pin in procrastination can help you to feel like you’re getting somewhere and doing something – even if it’s something as small as making your own bed.

For books with (genuinely) funny stories of school life you should consider reading Gervase Phinn which are much better and are actually very funny!! After 30 years of trying (I stress the trying) to run the UK education system like a private company, our idiot politicians have a produced a system that consistently fails those at the lower end of the social demographic. And the worst part is, it fails them by meaning to help them. Mr. Chalk is talking about social malaise and the deadly combination of New Liberalism and PC politics. However, as it stands, much of this book *may* go over the heads of general readers - and I really do wonder if the manuscript was seen by an editor prior to publication. Affect an accent that is posher than the pupils' (Not difficult). This will worry them because you are obviously ‘Not From Round Here.’ As most will never venture more than half a mile from the Cherry Tree Estate (once a fortnight to sign on, plus Court appearances or burglary outings) they find this quite disturbing." And though actual medicine and other interventions can go a long way in helping you to find your path, swapping out quiet afternoons you might otherwise spend wallowing in sadness or feelings of failure for a new activity can do wonders in helping your state of mind.The "Leadership" in schools fails teachers and students daily by being ineffective and inconsequential - because of govt. policy. I enjoyed it, though. It's well-written, amusing, and the writer's personality bursts through. Here is a teacher that I can learn a lot from. And he skydives! We're a rare breed, us skydiving teachers. In the UK doing a PGCE (that's teacher training college) is a last resort option for people who did badly at uni or have no other options. The real talent rarely makes it into a PGCE course because the prospects are too depressing. Having said that, some excellent graduates are driven to become teachers because they are passionate about it (thank God for them!), but in the rule, they are the exception. This book by Frank Chalk is at one and the same time both excruciating and hilarious. Anyone who has ever taught in a "challenging" secondary school will recognize immediately the stereotypical students, teachers and senior management portrayed here.