The Teacher novels

by Jack Sheffield

Being an ex-teacher who has mostly worked in small village schools and living in North Yorkshire, it is hardly surprising that I have become such a huge fan of the Jack Sheffield Teacher novels. There are 14 in total with the 15th, the last in the series (Oh no!) due out later this year.

Yorkshire born Jack trained to be a teacher at St John’s College in York and taught at Keighley before becoming the Headteacher at two schools in North Yorkshire. I have been reliably informed that one of them is very close to the village where I live and that some of his characters can be identified as locals! Whilst working as a Head teacher Jack began writing short stories about his working life, describing the children and families that had crossed his path and the many amusing tales of life as a primary school teacher.

He became Senior Lecturer in Primary Education at Bretton Hall College of the University of Leeds and whilst there, started recording his experiences of village life, from his very beginnings as a newly qualified teacher, that are the basis of the 'Teacher' series. It was only when he finally retired that Jack began to write full time. In 2005, he handed a copy of his first novel to a London Literary Agent who loved the book and decided to represent him. This resulted in a contract with Transworld Publishers in 2006, and the Teacher series was born.

The novels follow the format of a school year, beginning in September and describing Jack’s life and school adventures through to the end of the summer term. They cover the 1970s and '80s and feature many details of popular culture at the time: the fashions, teaching methods, weather, the local community and major events. For someone of that era, it brings back many forgotten memories! Throughout there is Yorkshire humour, the children's escapades, their hilarious sayings and both their and Jack's reactions to events happening around them. I’ve particularly loved reading about the changes in education and the uproar from various members of staff when a new initiative is introduced, reminding me of many an angry coffee break in staffrooms I have occupied.

Ragley Village, the focal point of many of the books, is based on a small number of villages in North Yorkshire and particularly the main street of Sutton on the Forest not far from where I live. That adds an extra dimension to me as I can picture where Jack is describing and have been to the places in York and nearby areas that he mentions.

Jack still writes as if he is teaching: he allows himself morning and afternoon playtimes and a lunch break too! As he says ‘Once a teacher, always a teacher,’ a phrase that resonates with every ex teacher I know.

For a blast from the past, some lovely reminders of your childhood days, humour, sadness and a longing for days gone by, these books are fabulous. Easy, light reads but thought provoking too and a wonderful record of a different kind of teaching – pre National Curriculum, when the joy of learning, curiosity and exploration seemed more important than statistics and results!

Not surprisingly, I own the entire collection!

Complete list of books in the 'Teacher' series:

Teacher, teacher!
Mister Teacher
Dear Teacher
Village Teacher
Please Sir!
Educating Jack
School's Out!
Silent Night
Star Teacher
Happiest Days
Starting Over
Changing Times
Back to School
School Days
Coming Soon: Last Day of School