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The third and final novel in the delightful Top of the Dales series from bestselling author Gervase Phinn.

'A worthy successor to James Herriot, and every bit as endearing.' - Alan Titchmarsh

Change is afoot in the usually sleepy village of Risingdale. Gerald Gaunt, headmaster of the primary school for over thirty years, is retiring. It is the end of an era and Gerald hopes that his replacement will work with him to secure a bright, happy future for the school. But Mr Smart has his own ideas about how things should be run, and things start to become fraught very quickly.

On top of this, the teachers have plenty of other dramas to contend with. Still dealing with a class of children who seem to understand agriculture better than arithmetic, Tom Dwyer is pining over Janette, his one-that-got-away. Meanwhile, his colleague Joyce Tranter's new marital bliss is shattered by the arrival of her husband's avaricious, scheming nephew. And elsewhere in the village, Sir Hedley's long-cherished plans for his future are jeopardised by the arrival back in his life of his bitter, desperate ex-wife.

Can the residents of Risingdale pull together and achieve happiness against the odds?

With a lively cast of characters both old and new and countless laugh-out-loud moments, A Class Act is a warm, enchanting portrayal of life in a small Yorkshire village.

Readers are loving the Top of the Dales series:

'Loved it. So easy to read, lovely story, unforgettable characters.' - 5 STARS

'Brilliant!' - 5 STARS

'Could not put the book down. Gervase Phinn is an expert story teller.' - 5 STARS

'Such a relaxing and calming read' - 5 STARS

'I have been waiting for this sequel and it didn't disappoint.' - 5 STARS

475 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 18, 2021

30 people are currently reading
71 people want to read

About the author

Gervase Phinn

100 books169 followers
Gervase Phinn (born 27 December 1946, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, England) is an English author and educator. After a career as a teacher he became a schools inspector.

He is now a freelance lecturer, broadcaster and writer, a consultant for the Open University, Honorary Fellow of St. John's College, York, Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) of the University of Leicester, Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) of The University of Hull and the Fellow and Visiting Professor of Education at The University of Teesside.

In 2005 the highest academic award of Sheffield Hallam University, Doctor of the University (D.Univ.) was conferred upon him by the Chancellor, Professor Lord Robert Winston. In 2006 he became President of The School Library Association.

He has published five volumes of memoir, collections of poetry and a number of books about education. He has a particular interest in children's literature and literacy.
He is married with four grown-up children.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
Profile Image for Paromjit.
3,080 reviews26.3k followers
February 14, 2021
Ex-school Inspector, Gervase Phinn writes a lovely, heart warming and immersive novel of the small farming community village of Risingdale in God's own county of Yorkshire, and the primary school that has so far managed to escape closure. For 30 years, it has been run by the much loved headmaster, 63 year old Gerald Gaunt, who has stood by his teaching staff of four, trusting them to teach their classes without interference. He has protected them from the increasing number of directives, regulations and policies from the Department of Education, most deemed to add nothing more than bureaucracy whilst increasing the workload of staff to the detriment of the children's education and well being. However, Gaunt is tired and exhausted with the never ending agenda of change that he feels he can no longer cope with, and upon being offered a particularly lucrative retirement package, he decides to retire, a decision that is to have far reaching consequences.

Phinn drops the reader into the heart of the community and village life, the numerous dramas, the gossip with shopkeeper, Mrs Sloughthwaite at the centre of the grapevine, farming life, and the usual circle of life, births, marriages and deaths as they impact people. We glimpse school life from the perspective of children, their families, and the four teachers, the old school Joyce Tranter, Bertha Golightly, and Owen Cadwallader, and the more recent recruit, Tom Dwyer, all effective in teaching their charges in their different styles, successfully fostering a learning environment and looking after the well being of each child amidst the developments in their personal lives. Sir Hedley Maladroit is the biggest landowner and Chair of the School Governors, having lost his son James, he is getting divorced, an event that will allow him to move on from his unhappy marriage. When Cuthbert Smart is redeployed, appointed as the new headteacher, the school faces despair at the unravelling of all the good cultivated by Gaunt.

There is plenty of humour and warmth in Phinn's storytelling that will charm readers and the characters are easy to like and take to your heart. There are a wide range of characters, from the children, such as the bright Charlie, to the German boy Hans, who joins Tom's class for two days, to the locals, such as the idle and mean Toby Croft. There are the ups and downs in Joyce's recent marriage to Auctioneer Julian, the love life of Tom, a decent man, Maladroit's intention to marry the woman he has loved for many years and the son he is finally able to acknowledge publically. This is wonderful, feel good, escapist reading fare, in the tradition of the likes of Call the Midwife, that will appeal to many readers, it is entertaining, fun, engaging and perfect for the times we are living in. Many thanks to Hodder and Stoughton for an ARC.
Profile Image for Dale Harcombe.
Author 14 books420 followers
November 14, 2022
Gerald Gaunt, headmaster at Risingdale, has decided after over thirty years of teaching he and the education system have come to a parting of the ways. Though he loves the kids and relates well to the four teachers who are passionate about teaching, it is all the directives from the education department and the mountain of paperwork that is the issue.
Since several of the small schools are being closed down, Gerald decides to take the retrenchment package being offered. He hopes the next headmaster will continue to make the school a happy and successful place for students and teachers. But when Cuthbert Smart arrives to tour the school, he has very strict ideas how things should be run, and as a result he quickly gets the staff offside.
Meanwhile the teachers and villagers have plenty of dramas in their own lives and the squire Sir Hedley Maladroit has several surprises for the village and for his future. More than one romance burbles along in Risingdale.
Set in the upper Yorkshire Dale village of Risingdale, this delightful read had me chuckling from time to time. Some of it was to do with some of the kids sayings and antics, plus those of Mrs Sloughthwaite, owner of the village store, who muddles her words and comes up with some classics.
This is a charming, heartwarming read. I had a few difficulties with the dialect especially with curmudgeonly Toby Croft who never has a good word to say about anyone, but that aside this was a very pleasant way to spend some time. I have read several other books by this author and they all have the same warm charm. A highly entertaining and amusing read that highlights the difference good teachers can make in a child’s life.
Profile Image for Natalie "Curling up with a Coffee and a Kindle" Laird.
1,384 reviews103 followers
March 11, 2021
Gervase Phinn has such a talent. He always makes me miss teaching! I have read many Phinn books over the years, and his hilarious anecdotes of the children in schools are fantastic, you can see his passion for teaching so clearly.
This book, had far less of the quirky situations that I loved, and definitely focused more on the teachers' home lives and relationships, which to be honest, I wasn't bothered about reading! There were many references to the pressures on teachers these days, and that is one of the reasons I left. Disillusioned teachers are sadly leaving the profession, and this is a crying shame and should be talked about.
This was an important book and light hearted enough for me to enjoy, but I enjoyed the earlier books much more.
Profile Image for Hannah.
595 reviews118 followers
August 23, 2021
Tom has been a favourite of mine since being in Elisabeth's school in one of the neighbouring Yorkshire villages. I liked how he got a happy ending. An easy read set in a beautiful part of the world. I enjoyed this set of stories but enjoyed the little village school a little more.
Profile Image for Adele.
1,199 reviews10 followers
July 19, 2021
As restorative as a weekend break, read over a sunny weekend relaxing in the garden under the shade of an umbrella. Gervase writes with such warmth and humour and the characters he has created were a pleasure to pass time with.
Profile Image for Sheri.
739 reviews31 followers
February 14, 2021
The term “cosy” could have been coined specifically for Gervase Phinn’s stories of school life and village goings-on in the Yorkshire Dales. I read a few of his books several years ago, but this is the first one I’ve read in a while.

Longstanding headmaster of Risingdale school, Gerald Gaunt, is retiring and change is afoot. (As this announcement happens at the beginning, I’d expected the rest of the story to revolve around his replacement, but in fact that doesn’t happen till near the end.) Instead, it feels like there’s a bit of everything, both in and out of school, from grumpy local farmers to the unhappily married village squire, Sir Hedley, to young teacher Tom Dwyer’s love life. There are births and deaths, weddings and christenings, humour and drama, and of course Gervase Phinn’s stock in trade - the amusing or surprising things children come out with.

It all has a pleasantly old-fashioned feel to it, and that’s no bad thing. A warm-hearted comfort read, perfect for escaping reality for a few hours.
Profile Image for Annarella.
14.2k reviews164 followers
May 24, 2021
Even if I didn't read the rest of the series I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It made me think of Miss Read stories and I want to read the others.
The author delivers an interesting story that made me think.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
271 reviews1 follower
February 22, 2021
This is the third in Gervase Phinn's "Top of the Dale" series. Although I am sure you would enjoy it to a point as a stand alone book, I do advise that you read the series. The characters remain and are developed throughout the series and not everything would make sense if you haven't read the first 2 books.
Set in the small village of Risingdale we follow the day to day life of the residents, in particular the goings on at the village school. We have the small everyday events and amusing things the children say as well as the larger events which will have more impact on the village as a whole.
There is a fantastic array of characters - Mr Gaunt the slightly scruffy headmaster, Tom the modern teacher who isn't sure where his affections lie, Joyce who thinks perhaps her recent marriage was a bit hasty and a host of other people in the school and around the village. The children, as always, play a major part.
Gervase Phinn draws on his extensive knowledge of school and village life having been a Yorkshire school inspector for many years. If you read his non-fiction books reflecting on these years you will understand how many of his fictional characters are based in reality.
I really loved this book. In fact I very much enjoy all of the works of Gervase Phinn. This is quite a slow moving book with much emphasis on the characters and their way of life. It is amusing and slightly gossipy. A relaxing read, the story just sort of ambles along. Ideal for those who enjoy village books such as those by Miss Read or Rebecca Shaw.
Another very enjoyable look at the village of Risingdale - when is the next coming out please?
I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley.
1,778 reviews25 followers
April 9, 2021
Change is in the offing at Risingdale school, long-standing Headteacher Mr Gaunt is due to retire and the teachers are concerned about who his successor will be. Meanwhile Sir Hedley Maladroit has decided that as soon as his divorce is final he will marry the mother of his son whilst Tom Dwyer is being pursued by a local historian but realises who his true love actually is. Around this the children of Risingdale continue to be their funny, blunt selves.
The regular reader knows exactly what they will get from a Gervase Phinn book. There's no massive drama (although a surprisingly high body count), there's always a happy ending and the love of Yorkshire and its people comes through. Phinn's books are so gentle they make James Herriott seem like gothic literature but that is part of the appeal.
6 reviews1 follower
March 12, 2021
The third in the charming stories of life at a Yorkshire school.

I’ve read all Gervase’s books and was delighted to see that the third in this particular series has been published. It makes for a charming read and the characters are so real one would expect to meet them all in that part of Yorkshire. I would have given it 5 stars but for the repetition in the story of what went before in previous books. It’s a bit like the TV programmes where after an ad break they tell you what went on in the first half as if you might have forgotten. I’d prefer it if there was a synopsis of the previous books before chapter one so that regular readers (and I suspect most will be familiar with the first two books) can skip it and get into the new story.
Profile Image for Christina Maria.
337 reviews17 followers
March 5, 2021
I had totally forgotten how enjoyable Gervase Phinn’s books are.
He is the James Herriot of the education world.
Exploring the life of children and teachers in the Yorkshire Dales small schools.
The book are a delight to read and will make you smile at some of the things that children say and do.
It reminds you of an easier time when children had more freedom to be children without the worries they have to cope with today.
Profile Image for Sarah.
571 reviews23 followers
May 8, 2021
A nice, easy read with a bit of gentle humour. Third in the series but can be read as a standalone as Mr Phinn is a bit heavy on the recaps.
Profile Image for Bev.
228 reviews
June 3, 2021
Another lovely book. Gervase Phinn writes so well bringing to life Yorkshire folk and the comings and going’s. His books always make me smile 😊
Profile Image for Julia.
3,048 reviews92 followers
November 21, 2021
A Class Act by Gervase Phinn is another wonderful novel and the third book in the Top Of The Dale series. It can be read as a stand-alone but I recommend reading the previous books first to meet the characters and to witness their development.
A return visit to Risingdale is just the ticket to brighten a gloomy autumnal day. The reader is once more delighted to meet up with the teachers, pupils and local residents.
Gervase Phinn writes with insight and humor. His books always have me laughing out loud. Many years working in education have enabled Gervase Phinn to perfectly capture the nature of children. Their honesty is refreshing, and living in a farming community, their knowledge of sheep and other livestock is impressive.
A Class Act is a little snippet of Yorkshire life. It made me laugh, it brought a tear to my eye and it totally enchanted me.
I always love Gervase Phinn’s novels. They are books to return to again and again.
Profile Image for Jane.
469 reviews8 followers
July 12, 2022
I'm so happy it rained all night and today so I could indulge in reading my most loved author. I just love Gervase Phinn and all The Dale books. They make me laugh out loud and also cry. A Class Act is no exception. I'm really sad that I have finished it. Such a treasure. For those of you who have not yet indulged in any of Mr Phinn's books here is a little excerpt. The teacher's are in the staff room talking about Shakespeare's plays...
Quote.."You know the part of that famous speech you were just quoting, Joyce," said Mr Cadwallader.
'You mean: "Now is the winter of our discontent made glorious summer by this sun of York"?' she asked.
'Yes, that's the one. Well, I was driving through Clayton last December past a shop that sold outdoor clothes and camping equipment. I guess the owner must have been a bit of a Shakespeare buff. He had put a big sign in the window which said: "Now it is winter, it's our discount tents." I thought it very droll.'
Profile Image for Judy.
191 reviews9 followers
March 12, 2022
Enjoyed the range of characters, the picture of Yorkshire village life and in particular the school set in the 80s. There were the usual humorous comments from the pupils which we expect from Gervaise, and the local Yorkshire accent spoken amongst the farmers. The one thing I found disappointing was that it felt like the over-arching story line took second place and was just there to string together the love lives of the main characters. There were more deaths than you’d expect in this kind of book and it felt like a weak tool for solving problems.
2 reviews
November 4, 2021
A Class Act reviewed

Really enjoyed this book. There was great continuity from the previous two books in the series. This could be read in isolation as it explains some of the background that have given rise to circumstances that have occurred. I'd recommend all three and hope that this is not the end of the series. I've read the majority of Gervase Phinn's novels and they never fail to transport you away from the trials of everyday life and to Yorkshire.



192 reviews1 follower
February 16, 2022
This is the last in another fantastic series by Gervase Phinn. The series is mainly set in a village in a rural area of Yorkshire during the ‘80s. As with all of his previous books, this is very well written, full of detail bringing both the setting and characters to life and interwoven with many humorous comments mostly from the mouths of the school children but also from the wonderful malapropisms of Mrs Sloughthwaite! Enjoy.
Profile Image for Julia Bennett-Everington.
128 reviews
May 7, 2024
Another brilliant account of village life in the Yorkshire dales by Gervaise Phinn.

I chuckled my way through this one (as I have with so many of this author), being highly amused at his uncanny ability to pick up on so many of the quirks of human life and to be able write about them in such an amusing way. Sheer genius.

2 reviews
July 7, 2023
Perfectly idyllic

Absolutely incredible book which always leaves youwanting more. Perfectly warm reading with lots of funny moments and sad. I absolutely adore this author, I will be sad to finish all of his books. I think I have 3 left.
10 reviews
February 1, 2024
Beautiful

Great escapism book of simple village life, in a world away from media, murders and lies. This book highlights the opposite. I read this when I am depressed and it has cheered me up
5 reviews
March 27, 2022
Another class act.

I've read all of Gervase Phinn's books over the years. I love them all and wish he wrote more! Thank you!
1,206 reviews2 followers
August 2, 2022
The conclusion of the Top of the Dale trilogy is a sweet but not saccharine novel of the Yorkshire Dales.
74 reviews1 follower
May 16, 2023
A brilliant "escape" from thinking about day-to-day life. I really enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews

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