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How to Survive the School Year
Let the Sunday Times bestselling authors and hosts of Two Mr Ps in a Pod(cast) lead you through the school year…
Does the phrase ‘back to school’ fill you with dread? Or does it bring delight … until you see the size of your September to-do list? Can you really be expected to keep track of next Thursday’s swimming, spelling and singing club? Not to mention the PTA-sponsored bounce!
From the autumn harvest festival to the summer sports day, the academic year is a non-stop frenzy of planning, preparation and potential chaos, whichever side of the school gates you find yourself. But now Britain’s best-loved teachers and podcast hosts Lee and Adam Parkinson are here to make it all that little bit easier as they share the hilarious trials, tribulations and tomfoolery going on inside our primary schools.
Whether you’re a fatigued parent or a frazzled teacher – or just want a good laugh! – grab your back-to-school essentials, find your desk and get ready to learn what NOT to do in the year ahead.
Don’t just survive the school year – thrive!
Does the phrase ‘back to school’ fill you with dread? Or does it bring delight … until you see the size of your September to-do list? Can you really be expected to keep track of next Thursday’s swimming, spelling and singing club? Not to mention the PTA-sponsored bounce!
From the autumn harvest festival to the summer sports day, the academic year is a non-stop frenzy of planning, preparation and potential chaos, whichever side of the school gates you find yourself. But now Britain’s best-loved teachers and podcast hosts Lee and Adam Parkinson are here to make it all that little bit easier as they share the hilarious trials, tribulations and tomfoolery going on inside our primary schools.
Whether you’re a fatigued parent or a frazzled teacher – or just want a good laugh! – grab your back-to-school essentials, find your desk and get ready to learn what NOT to do in the year ahead.
Don’t just survive the school year – thrive!
336 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 29, 2024
41 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 31, 2025
entertaining, light hearted book with anecdotes to their roles as teachers. Very relatable in places. Though fun, i didn't find thos as enjoyable as their other book I had read.
December 27, 2024
How to Survive the School Year by Lee and Adam Parkinson offers a warm, humorous, and nostalgic dive into the world of school life, blending relatable anecdotes with the author's characteristic wit. As someone who cherishes their school memories, I found the book's tone cosy and reflective, transporting me back to my youth.
However, while the book captures the familiar charm the authors are known for, it didn’t quite reach the high standard set by their previous works. The humour and insights felt less impactful this time, and the narrative didn’t resonate as deeply as I had hoped.
Overall, How to Survive the School Year is enjoyable, especially for those seeking a lighthearted and nostalgic trip down memory lane. It’s a solid addition to the authors’ repertoire but perhaps not their strongest.
However, while the book captures the familiar charm the authors are known for, it didn’t quite reach the high standard set by their previous works. The humour and insights felt less impactful this time, and the narrative didn’t resonate as deeply as I had hoped.
Overall, How to Survive the School Year is enjoyable, especially for those seeking a lighthearted and nostalgic trip down memory lane. It’s a solid addition to the authors’ repertoire but perhaps not their strongest.
July 27, 2025
How to Survive the School Year is the third offering from primary teacher Lee Parkinson aka ICT With Mr P and his brother (and fellow educator and podcasting co-host), who have made their names from a podcast sharing funny stories from the classroom as well as their own takes on the English education system. Lee is also well-known for his sometimes political, often very funny social media content which highlights the incomparable frustrations and joys of being a primary teacher.
If you're familiar with the brothers' content, then you know what to expect from this book: an assortment of heart-warming and silly anecdotes drawn from their own teaching experience and that of their podcast listeners, who regularly submit their own stories. In this collection, the anecdotes are loosely organised around the ebbs and flows of the school year - from the excitement or nerves that usher in the new term in September to the final days in July. Aimed at teachers and parents of primary-aged children, the two Mr Ps strike a balanced tone which may even result in some parents reevaluating their attitudes to teachers - or vice versa.
The stories of poorly timed farts et al are amusing but not original; if you've read one book by the Mr Ps and this is their USP for you then you probably don't need to read another one, plus Gervase Phinn already wrote pretty much the same content in the 2000s. However, the final chapters, in which Lee delivers a scathing polemic on the English education system and the failings of ten years' worth of education secretaries' 'reforms' are an impassioned call to arms for both teachers and parents. Furthermore, the chapter on the evolution of computing teaching in schools, social media and the rise of AI, manages to be at once illuminating, cautionary and reassuring. Plenty of teachers will return to their classrooms buoyed by a greater knowledge and understanding of how to utilise these technologies to work smarter, and to support their pupils' in learning the skills they need to thrive in the digital age.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
If you're familiar with the brothers' content, then you know what to expect from this book: an assortment of heart-warming and silly anecdotes drawn from their own teaching experience and that of their podcast listeners, who regularly submit their own stories. In this collection, the anecdotes are loosely organised around the ebbs and flows of the school year - from the excitement or nerves that usher in the new term in September to the final days in July. Aimed at teachers and parents of primary-aged children, the two Mr Ps strike a balanced tone which may even result in some parents reevaluating their attitudes to teachers - or vice versa.
The stories of poorly timed farts et al are amusing but not original; if you've read one book by the Mr Ps and this is their USP for you then you probably don't need to read another one, plus Gervase Phinn already wrote pretty much the same content in the 2000s. However, the final chapters, in which Lee delivers a scathing polemic on the English education system and the failings of ten years' worth of education secretaries' 'reforms' are an impassioned call to arms for both teachers and parents. Furthermore, the chapter on the evolution of computing teaching in schools, social media and the rise of AI, manages to be at once illuminating, cautionary and reassuring. Plenty of teachers will return to their classrooms buoyed by a greater knowledge and understanding of how to utilise these technologies to work smarter, and to support their pupils' in learning the skills they need to thrive in the digital age.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 2, 2025
Having followed Ict with Mr.P online for years and been lucky enough to attend some training with him, I was excited to read this.
I found the first part of the book a little clunky, Which feels disloyal to say, but it feels like they've tried to cram all of the best bits of social media and their stories into the chapters which didn't flow as well for me and felt a little contrived. There were entertaining parts and I could definitely relate to bits but it felt a little like a more modern version of Gervase Phinn without the charm of the writer having experienced it all themselves. The best part for me were the bits towards the end
Lee has an excellent way of summarising. what is wrong (and right!) with the current education system and this is done with wit and humour. I really enjoyed this bit which redeemed the first parts for me! The section from Adam about his personal experience of the SEND system was also a really interesting read and if the whole book had been more like this, I'd have enjoyed it much more!
The chapter of the role of AI was a brilliant read and also how to hack your own algorithm! Excellent!
The strength of the last few chapters has upped my rating by one star - I'd love to read more of their thoughts about education, rather than a collection of other's stories.
I found the first part of the book a little clunky, Which feels disloyal to say, but it feels like they've tried to cram all of the best bits of social media and their stories into the chapters which didn't flow as well for me and felt a little contrived. There were entertaining parts and I could definitely relate to bits but it felt a little like a more modern version of Gervase Phinn without the charm of the writer having experienced it all themselves. The best part for me were the bits towards the end
Lee has an excellent way of summarising. what is wrong (and right!) with the current education system and this is done with wit and humour. I really enjoyed this bit which redeemed the first parts for me! The section from Adam about his personal experience of the SEND system was also a really interesting read and if the whole book had been more like this, I'd have enjoyed it much more!
The chapter of the role of AI was a brilliant read and also how to hack your own algorithm! Excellent!
The strength of the last few chapters has upped my rating by one star - I'd love to read more of their thoughts about education, rather than a collection of other's stories.
August 12, 2025
Witty journey through the school year with amusing anecdotes from the Parkinson brother's own experience as primary teachers plus contributions from listeners to their podcasts. There is something for everyone, whether an educator, parent or simply because we've all been to school. As part of the support team for pupils with SEND in a primary school I can identify with so many of the observations with laugh out loud moments aplenty.
There is also commentary about some pretty serious stuff, namely what is wrong with our education system today and the role of AI. Lee Parkinson shares his opinions with passion and humour, offering solutions to some of the issues he identifies. His narrative is not patronizing, his desire to enable all students to have the best possible education shines through. Adam Parkinson's sharing of his own experience of the SEND system was illuminating and the chapter about AI fascinating.
A hugely entertaining read!
With thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK, Nonfiction for the opportunity to read this book in return for my honest and unbiased review.
There is also commentary about some pretty serious stuff, namely what is wrong with our education system today and the role of AI. Lee Parkinson shares his opinions with passion and humour, offering solutions to some of the issues he identifies. His narrative is not patronizing, his desire to enable all students to have the best possible education shines through. Adam Parkinson's sharing of his own experience of the SEND system was illuminating and the chapter about AI fascinating.
A hugely entertaining read!
With thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK, Nonfiction for the opportunity to read this book in return for my honest and unbiased review.
July 8, 2025
I was so pleased to be able to review this book. I work as a Learning Advisor and Senior Invigilator at the local School. I first came upon Lee and Adam Parkinson on Facebook ICT with Mr P - Tech to Raise Standards which I love- their anecdotes, warm wit from the staff, pupil and parent perspective had me in stitches sitting out in the sunshine laughing out loud so so true.
This is Andy Seed, Gervaise Phinn and Jack Sheffield rolled into one.
Highly recommended read this summer holiday to get you chuckling into the September term time.
Due for publication August 29th 2025.
Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins for letting me review this ahead of publication
This is Andy Seed, Gervaise Phinn and Jack Sheffield rolled into one.
Highly recommended read this summer holiday to get you chuckling into the September term time.
Due for publication August 29th 2025.
Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins for letting me review this ahead of publication
August 18, 2025
This book from podcasters Lee and Adam Parkinson is not intended to be a parenting guide, but rather a "silly school-year survival companion" (as they put it), helping parents not to get overwhelmed by the demands of primary school life.
It is essentially a series of anecdotes and funny stories about school life, as experienced by Lee who is a teacher or that they have been told by other people, on topics such as teacher home visits, school holidays and the SATs. While these were entertaining, I think it might work better in podcast form than on the written page.
A recommended read for fans of the Two Mr Ps Podcast and people looking for an entertaining read about school gone wrong.
Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins UK for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
It is essentially a series of anecdotes and funny stories about school life, as experienced by Lee who is a teacher or that they have been told by other people, on topics such as teacher home visits, school holidays and the SATs. While these were entertaining, I think it might work better in podcast form than on the written page.
A recommended read for fans of the Two Mr Ps Podcast and people looking for an entertaining read about school gone wrong.
Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins UK for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 5, 2025
Lee and Adam Parkinson work in schools and have a successful podcast 'The two Mr Ps in a podcast'. They comment on school life and read out anecdotes that listeners send in of some of life at school in UK.
This is their 3rd book and details significant parts of the school year. and talks about how staff, pupils and parents approach them. There are a few more serious discussions about things that shape school life and curriculum.
Although there are many laugh out loud moments in the book, it felt a little more disjointed than the other two books but still an entertaining read.
This is their 3rd book and details significant parts of the school year. and talks about how staff, pupils and parents approach them. There are a few more serious discussions about things that shape school life and curriculum.
Although there are many laugh out loud moments in the book, it felt a little more disjointed than the other two books but still an entertaining read.
November 10, 2024
Another great book from the two Mr P’s. Funny and accurate stories about school life. Wether you work in a school (like me) went to school (also like me) or have children, you will be able to relate to the hilarious stories from people all over the country who work in schools.
September 21, 2024
Comedy as always.
January 1, 2025
Not as funny as the previous 2 books.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews