(Un)educated: My Life as a Teacher, and Why You Should Never Become One

by Francis Foster

The class weren't laughing with me, they were laughing at me and there is no lonelier place for a comedian or teacher to be in. The lesson was over and everyone knew it. I looked down and realised that my flies were undone. Welcome to teaching.

Welcome to the reality of what it's really like to be a teacher - the pure, unvarnished truth of what it means to stand in front of a group of thirty kids and try and get them to do some work. It's not the inspirational vision you see in government ads, it's breaking up fights between warring East End grandmas, six-year-olds streaking naked through exam rooms or prepubescent sociopaths annihilating lessons week after week.

In brutal, hilarious and gory detail, teacher-turned-comedian Francis Foster lifts the lids on the indignities and humiliations he experienced as a supply teacher in some of the most atrocious schools around the country. But so much more than a teacher's memoir, Classroom Confidential shines a light on the problems in the UK education system in uncompromising fashion, exposing how the most vulnerable children in society are being failed. And if you're not listening? Well, it's not only your own time you're wasting.

Genres: Nonfiction, Autobiography, Humor, Comedy

320 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication September 29, 2026

Reviews

[Leticia Souza]

Big fan of Francis work in Triggernometry, this book follows the same easy and authentic narrative that he brings to the podcast.
A very sad and tough reality of someone that is trying to do his best and follow a mission-driven career, but unfortunately with the challenges of public system, gets stuck into the never ending suffering that the current UK education system brings to its staff.
My main take away is that the education system is a reflection of the overall problems we see in the UK and across Europe: lack of discipline and control hidden as the 'freedom' for the previously 'oppressed'.
I would have never read a book on education if it wasn't made by Francis. I hope he will eventually get back to education in some capacity. His heart is in the right place and he understands deeply the problems and potential solutions for it.

[Gannon Griffin]

I know Francis from JRE and wow that was not what I was expecting. This book was very emotional. I thought it was just going to be stories about how adolescents suck, but that was a roller coaster. Bravo

[faye✨]

Raw, honest, and most importantly, hilarious, this memoir has gotten me out of a really tough reading slump. It’s engaging, funny, and, most importantly, enlightening. As someone who’s never worked in education or teaching, this memoir really opened my eyes to the struggles that teachers face.

Some of the stories were real tear-jerkers, whilst others had me laughing out loud. The pacing and tangential writing style made the book incredibly easy to digest and, for me, kept my attention throughout.

I wouldn’t say it’s put me off the profession as a whole, but the book has definitely made an impression on me. I can imagine those who work in the education sector thoroughly enjoying this, although I’d say it’s a must-read regardless of your occupation.

An absolute 5 stars. ⭐️

[Ari Chand]

This makes the book feel somewhat navel-gazing and it ultimately struggles to deliver on the promise of its subtitle. The author’s experiences are undoubtedly interesting, and there are moments of genuine insight, humour and frustration. The question of why you should never become a teacher is never really addressed in any sustained or convincing way. Instead, the book moves from one teaching experience to another, offering anecdotes and personal reflections without providing much broader context about the profession, the education system, or the structural reasons teaching might be a particularly bad career choice. Sub-par.

[Louie Fisher]

Really enjoyed this book. It felt a lot like this is going to hurt by Adam Kay but from a teaching perspective. This took me back to my own experience as a teacher and leaving the profession.

It is told through a mix of hilarious, candid and tragic stories, but in a very easy and palatable way.

Highly recommend

[Glenda Powell]

I could really relate to this book. I was a teacher for 20 years although not in tough schools the authors memories of his PGCE course was very much like my own. Excellent book thoroughly recommend .

[GH]

Lovely. So so funny and a palette cleanser against my other reads. He does a great job of highlighting the challenges faced by teachers and the educational system and isn't afraid to poke fun at the people who deserve it. He self narrates the audiobook and his accent is just a delightful bonus

[Ben]

Basically just a series of the author's teaching anecdotes. Some of it was funny but the rest just came across slightly blamey and moany. Not sure what I was expecting. 2 stars for the bits that were actually quite funny.

[CatCo]

Light on the contents

I expected a lot more anecdotes and insights into the failings of our education system. The reviewer who wrote 'This book is to school teachers what 'This is Going to Hurt' is to NHS doctors' must have read just the opening chapter.

[Kelly Fraser]

Insightful and funny

[Megan]

An interesting and bittersweet insight into the lives of teachers in the UK. This is why I hate when people tell me to become a teacher. They are underpaid and overworked.

[Mollie Frances]

3.5 stars rounded up

[Alice Rodgers]

Wish I could give this more than 5 stars. This is brutally honest, moving but also hilarious. I cried and laughed. Amazing.

[Mel Ives]

Hilarious!!