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(Un)educated

My Life as a Teacher, and Why You Should Never Become One

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(Un)educated

By: Francis Foster
Narrated by: Francis Foster
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'Francis is doing for teaching what This is Going to Hurt did for medicine. Brutal, honest and laugh-out-loud funny.' Jimmy Carr

'A great subject covered by a guy unafraid to tell it like it is' Geoff Norcott

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.

This is the reality of 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; rather it's breaking up fights between warring East End grandmas, figuring out which student defecated in the sink, and dealing with prepubescent sociopaths intent on annihilating lessons week after week.

In brutal, hilarious and gory detail, comedian Francis Foster lifts the lid on the indignities, humiliations, rare triumphs and devastating blows he experienced as a teacher in some of the most notorious schools around the country. But so much more than a teacher's memoir, (Un)educated 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, turns out it's not only your own time you're wasting.©2026 Francis Foster (P)2026 Little, Brown Book Group Limited Education Educators Neurodiversity Professionals & Academics Funny Witty
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I’ve been looking forward to this since Francis was on Geoff Norcott’s podcast. Absolutely brilliant!

Worth the wait

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I'm from a similar background to Francis and like him went to school in Redhill. I never became a teacher although my job as a tour guide where I sometimes teach schools exposes me to how stressful being a teacher can be. It's a joy for me but the teachers have the weight of the world on them often - if anything happens it's on them.

This is a really interesting insight into a world we all have some knowledge of but most of us don't have inside knowledge of.

Its an insight into how important government policy is on teaching and how much work has to be done - it feels like we are fighting a losing battle.

The book is funny and sad in equal measure. I went to school with undiagnosed ADHD and FND and I think a teacher with the wit and compassion Francis has would have helped a lot. I'm sure he helped countless pupils.

Big recommend from me

enjoyable listen

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I listened to this the whole way through and laughed and cried at times . It was brilliant and very informative . Hope you write more books Francis!

Laughing and crying

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This book is both hilarious and serious. It documents the troubled state of education and how the system is often set up to fail, placing enormous pressure on teachers in the process.

Frances conveys a genuine care for his pupils, regardless of their background. While his stories are often very funny, he also makes important and thought-provoking points about the realities of modern teaching.

The profession has undoubtedly lost a passionate and talented teacher with his departure, even if his own wellbeing has likely benefited from the decision.

Funny and thought provoking

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Francis delivers an engaging, entertaining and very amusing description of his time as a teacher.
I especially liked his comparative descriptions, like Fred West teaching a palates class haha.

Well done FF

Absolutely Brilliant

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