So You Want to Be a Teacher

Here it is? cogent, concise and mercifully free of 'kidolatry'? a 'how-to' booklet for all you graduates thinking of teaching as a career. The author describes himself as a 'primary school teacher, musician, potter and beekeeper'. Sounds nice, but he doesn't flinch from highlighting some of the less-agreeable aspects of life at the chalkface: KS2 SATS, the National Curriculum, power-dressing head teachers, Health and Safety strictures, 'lying little toerags' (and they're not the teaching assist- ants!), Ofsted inspectors and anxious parents: 'Why isn't our Craig reading?' (Craig is twelve). Considerable interest has already been shown by teachers and others in Ian Dyer's excellent and amusing handbook, and while he offers arguments for and against teaching, it's clear from the text that he is a much-loved and respected professional in a challenging field. For those who are about to take the plunge into pedagogy, here is a lifebelt. Use it!