School's Out!

Teacher #7

by Jack Sheffield

As the new school year begins, Jack Sheffield prepares for an even more eventful year than usual. A new teacher is appointed, and before long tongues start to wag.

Meanwhile, five-year old Madona Fazackerly makes her mark in an unexpected way, life changes dramatically for Ruby the caretaker and, in the village Coffee Shop, Dorothy Humpleby plans a dirty weekend.

It’s 1983 - the era of the new CD player, Microsoft Word, the McDonalds McNugget, cabbage patch dolls, the threat of a miners’ strike and a final farewell to the halfpenny piece.

Jack has to manage a year of triumph and tragedy…

Genres: Fiction

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 17, 2013

About the author

Jack Sheffield (born Jack Linley, 1945) is a British author who wrote a series of books of fiction about the headmaster of a village school in a fictional Yorkshire village. The stories are set from the late 1970s to the early 1980s and attempt to portray life in Yorkshire as it was at that time.

He was trained as a teacher at St John's College, York and later became head teacher of two schools in North Yorkshire and then senior lecturer in primary education at Bretton Hall.

He took up writing after retirement, and his first novel "Teacher, Teacher!" sold 100,000 copies

Reviews

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read this book as part of the Chick Lit Group Autumn challenge, and one of the books needs to be set in a school.

It was good to read something I wouldn't normally have chosen, and on the whole I found it an enjoyable tale of a head teacher in a small Yorkshire village primary.

It's set in the 80's; the era I grew up in so it bought back some childhood memories which made me smile.

The plot was very straight forward and nice to read - it has a twist at the end which leaves you in suspense and to make your own mind up, although I'm going to now look to see if there is a next instalment that answers the question!

[Helen Stead · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting look at education in the eighties, full of historical facts and memories. How schools, and life, have changed.

[Elvis Gregory-sayce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

[Amelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love jack Sheffield books and although I can't wait for the next one to come out, we don't progress very far with the story. I would like more story less factual information about the era. I keep feeling I am reading the same book over and over again, it is only the fact that just maybe the next one might be different that keeps me going back to read the next one.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

School's Out was bk 7 in a series. Each book is a standalone read. Humorous stories of a Principal and parents and community in a fictious town in York. Reminded me of James Herriot.
Light, quick read.

[Maria]

well not my usual type of book. I read it all and it was a nostalgic read. Set
around a village school during the 80's which is the era when i was at primary school. I won't be ryshing out to find a similar book but it was a pleasant change.

[Tea]

Kuskil poole peal sain aru, et see on sarja viies või seitsmes raamat ja siis mulle jõudis kohale, miks ma midagi aru ei saa ja miks tegelasi on kuskil 30, kelle taustainfo mul peaks olemas olema. Aga muidu oli muhe. Kui Yorkshire aktsenti lugeda tahta, siis see on hea raamat selle jaoks.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of 80s references that took me back, but most felt they were there just for the memory jerks rather than part of the story. Not enough plot for me.

[Sharon Bidwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charming and nostalgic as this series always is with a few reminders of the way the children see the world in simpler and often more correct terms.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book again. Love Jack Sheffield's books

[Pauline Bicknell · Rating 4 out of 5]

As good as all the previous ones.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pleasant read with lovely characters.

[Adele · Rating 2 out of 5]

Joyful reminiscences from 1983/4 when village cafes didn’t have an endless list of hot beverage options, just tea or frothy coffee.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another delightful story about like at Ragley Village School. There is a few sad chapters in this one, but I won't spoil it if you haven't read it. An enjoyable and nostalgic look back at 1984 and some interesting remarks on the miner's strike and the fire at York Minster - I had forgotten that the latter was that long ago! It seems odd that we are talking about a time when computers and technology was not common place and the pace of life seemed much slower.

The book is left open ended so I am sure at some point there will be another book. Perhaps not everyone's cup of tea, but if you like an easy read that looks back through rose tinted glasses and remembers the things that you do, then this book is for you.

Can't wait for the next one!

[Sara Eames · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was ok - it just didn't have the pace and humour of previous books in the series. A lot of what was attributed to the children appeared to be a mishmash of old jokes and stories that do the rounds on the internet. It was also more poignant than previous books - and dealt with the death of a regular character. There is also one mystery left unsolved - so I guess I will have to read the next one to see if the truth (whatever the truth is) will come out. Overall, not the best book Jack Sheffield has written.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Finally finished this - after several attempts! Found it a lot harder to get into than the other books in the series and didn't enjoy it as much - not really sure why - and still want to read the next one in the series - especially after the ending left us in suspense....!!!!

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

a year in the life of Radley school the charm of the children and the warm reflections on village life and the characters that reside there whilst also accompanying the head teacher and his wife beth's first year with their baby son

[Anette · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://www.thebookbag.co.uk/reviews/i...

[Louise Riddleston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another lovely village school tale..

[Deirdre Vance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Memories

lovely reminiscing about life in Britain at that time when I would have been a student. looking forward to reading more by this author

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bit annoying the whole Jack and Laura thing. Overall the usual nostalgic wander through the 80s.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book brought back memories from 1984. Some of the characters remind me of children in the school I work in. Looking forward to reading the next one

[Martina Lennon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Miserable Irish bank holiday and the only thing to do is read. Finished this easy to read quickly. Thank God for libraries.

[Amanda Gardner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Memories..... this book took me back in time. A good little read.

[Raneem · Rating 3 out of 5]

the book is okay, i really didnt like the snapshot way in which the book was written.... i thought it was distracting.... and i found the end overwhelming for this kind of books

[Cari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cute, in a British way...whole series about an English Public school in the countryside.

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book, as good as ever!

[Karen Low · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have enjoyed reading this book