A good book, written in a very engaging and friendly voice. I feel like it’s a similar voice to my own when writing, which might be why I’ve enjoyed it.

The last half focuses on the medical issues faced by some students, which - yeah, sure. It’s important to understand context, and students as whole people. But it really disconnects from the daily school routine narrative and looking at the challenges of the institution itself.

Which is not to say these additional tales aren’t valuable or valid, just that they don’t really do what the book cover says it’ll do.

As the novel is organised into four sections - each term of the year - the final two ‘terms’ don’t actually look much at what’s happening in the school at that time.

Nevertheless, glad I read it. It certainly reminded me of the reasons I love being a teacher. Time to start some conversations.