What do you think?
Rate this book
First Term: a Teacher's Tale
John Young relates the story of his first term at Blacklake Secondary Boys School in Eastburn, a suburban Essex town. During the term, he is guided by recollections of the comically solemn wisdom imparted by Dr Denton during the teacher training course at St Williams' College.
John rents a bed sitter at The Cedars, a large Victorian house where there are three other teacher Jim Carson, a Welsh keep-fit fanatic; Dave Sparrow, pale, thin faced and bespectacled; and the bearded Ron Shepherd who is obsessed with his restored Austin car. The genteel elderly owner, Miss Fortescue, also resides there with Oliver, her black and white cat.
Mr H R Fisk, the gruff, moustached headmaster of Blacklake School believes that anyone who has not completed five years in a classroom cannot be a real teacher. The hilarious events of the first half term include a visit by an inspector, Miss Perkins,; a prolonged bout of practical joking by the senior boys; and John's experiences when he takes temporary charge of an evening class composed of a motley collection of adult learners.
He plays in the staff versus boys soccer match after Mr Fisk had resorted to blackmail in order to obtain a staff team; meets the Chair of Governors, Councillor Mrs Jarvis; and attends the annual Carol Service conducted by the Rev Blowpeace in St Swithin's Church. John encounters the characters on the staff, such as Mr Saunders, the deputy head, Mr Bryce, the softly spoken Geordie and Richard Steele, a fellow probationer with whom he engages in practical joking contests. He learns to share the staff's respect for the craft teachers, Bert Price and Norman Smythe who willingly use their skills in wood and metal to help out colleagues in times of need.
The unfolding humorous story of school events intermingles with tales of life in Eastburn. There are hilarious happenings at The Cedars where Jim Carson tries constantly to improve the fitness levels of his reluctant house mates. John becomes a regular evening visitor to Hymie's Fish Bar and his return to The Cedars is awaited eagerly by Oliver, Miss Fortescue's cat. He meets Harry and his assistant, Barry, at Harry's Hair Shop.
Just before half term, an announcement of the arrival of a student to do teaching practice causes speculation among the staff. Hitherto the redoubtable Mr Fisk (known to his staff as the Old Man) had maintained that an unqualified person would never be allowed to teach in his school. The deputy head, Mr Saunders, discovered that Mrs Wendy Bull, the charming and immaculately dressed head teacher of the neighbouring Blacklake Girls School, had somehow managed to persuade the Old Man. Speculation is rife as to how she managed to initiate the minor revolution. Mr Saunders announces that the student's name is Susan Renshaw.
Her arrival creates farcical tensions and rivalries among the staff. Suits are worn instead of the customary sports jackets, trousers are newly pressed, shoes are polished and aftershave is applied in abundance. John and his fellow probationer, Richard Steele, engage in friendly rivalry to gain Susan’s attention and to Richard's disgust, John is invited by Susan to the Bonfire Night Celebration at her training college, St Cecilia's.
Susan confides in John that she has broken off her engagement to a Scottish solicitor. She is fearful of pressure from her parents - who see the deadly dull Angus as a fine catch for their daughter - to restart the relationship. As Christmas approaches, her anxiety increases.
At this time, John's fellow inmates of The Cedars discover a mutual gloom over the prospect of returning home to traditional family gatherings. Their girl friends suggest going as a gang to a seaside hotel. Although girl friend-less, John is also invited. He mentions Susan's reluctance to go home to face her parents, and is urged to invite her to join the posse at the hotel. Susan is overjoyed.
On Brighton sea front, John and Susan toast the start of Christmas Day.
John rents a bed sitter at The Cedars, a large Victorian house where there are three other teacher Jim Carson, a Welsh keep-fit fanatic; Dave Sparrow, pale, thin faced and bespectacled; and the bearded Ron Shepherd who is obsessed with his restored Austin car. The genteel elderly owner, Miss Fortescue, also resides there with Oliver, her black and white cat.
Mr H R Fisk, the gruff, moustached headmaster of Blacklake School believes that anyone who has not completed five years in a classroom cannot be a real teacher. The hilarious events of the first half term include a visit by an inspector, Miss Perkins,; a prolonged bout of practical joking by the senior boys; and John's experiences when he takes temporary charge of an evening class composed of a motley collection of adult learners.
He plays in the staff versus boys soccer match after Mr Fisk had resorted to blackmail in order to obtain a staff team; meets the Chair of Governors, Councillor Mrs Jarvis; and attends the annual Carol Service conducted by the Rev Blowpeace in St Swithin's Church. John encounters the characters on the staff, such as Mr Saunders, the deputy head, Mr Bryce, the softly spoken Geordie and Richard Steele, a fellow probationer with whom he engages in practical joking contests. He learns to share the staff's respect for the craft teachers, Bert Price and Norman Smythe who willingly use their skills in wood and metal to help out colleagues in times of need.
The unfolding humorous story of school events intermingles with tales of life in Eastburn. There are hilarious happenings at The Cedars where Jim Carson tries constantly to improve the fitness levels of his reluctant house mates. John becomes a regular evening visitor to Hymie's Fish Bar and his return to The Cedars is awaited eagerly by Oliver, Miss Fortescue's cat. He meets Harry and his assistant, Barry, at Harry's Hair Shop.
Just before half term, an announcement of the arrival of a student to do teaching practice causes speculation among the staff. Hitherto the redoubtable Mr Fisk (known to his staff as the Old Man) had maintained that an unqualified person would never be allowed to teach in his school. The deputy head, Mr Saunders, discovered that Mrs Wendy Bull, the charming and immaculately dressed head teacher of the neighbouring Blacklake Girls School, had somehow managed to persuade the Old Man. Speculation is rife as to how she managed to initiate the minor revolution. Mr Saunders announces that the student's name is Susan Renshaw.
Her arrival creates farcical tensions and rivalries among the staff. Suits are worn instead of the customary sports jackets, trousers are newly pressed, shoes are polished and aftershave is applied in abundance. John and his fellow probationer, Richard Steele, engage in friendly rivalry to gain Susan’s attention and to Richard's disgust, John is invited by Susan to the Bonfire Night Celebration at her training college, St Cecilia's.
Susan confides in John that she has broken off her engagement to a Scottish solicitor. She is fearful of pressure from her parents - who see the deadly dull Angus as a fine catch for their daughter - to restart the relationship. As Christmas approaches, her anxiety increases.
At this time, John's fellow inmates of The Cedars discover a mutual gloom over the prospect of returning home to traditional family gatherings. Their girl friends suggest going as a gang to a seaside hotel. Although girl friend-less, John is also invited. He mentions Susan's reluctance to go home to face her parents, and is urged to invite her to join the posse at the hotel. Susan is overjoyed.
On Brighton sea front, John and Susan toast the start of Christmas Day.
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 25, 2013
About the author
Derek Thomas
56 books3 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
No one has reviewed this book yet.