Some Kids I Taught and What They Taught Me

Kate Clanchy has taught in state schools for nearly thirty years. Some Kids I Taught And What They Taught Me is a book about a life's work spent teaching in a national institution. By telling the stories of some of the kids she's taught, some of the teachers she's worked with, and some of the lessons she's learned, Clanchy offers a revelatory picture of school life, and a fascinating look at the role education plays in our society today. This is not a work of moaning pessimism or dry sociology, lamenting the actions of successive governments when it comes to policy decisions. While Some Kids acknowledges the undoubtedly difficult situation in many schools, Clanchy writes beautifully about her students as people, whose diversity, humour and sheer brains she aims to celebrate; she writes about the uplifting power of teaching when practised well, about the success she's seen and encouraged in some of the most challenged and challenging pupils she knows, and about the effect all of this had on her, as a teacher, mother and citizen. As well as her real-world experience in schools, Clanchy is a prize-winning author of fiction and poetry. This unique combination of talents - her decades in the classroom, her fearlessness and wit, her poet's eye and inimitable voice - allow her to explore serious questions by telling human stories that are sometimes funny sometimes sad, but always moving and deeply sympathetic. Some Kids I Taught And What They Taught Me is a relevant, affecting and agenda-setting book that will really get people talking.

We offer easy, no-hassle 30-day returns for eligible orders from the UK, UAE, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, and the EU. If you're not satisfied or your item arrives damaged, just email us for approval and we’ll provide a region-specific return address. Refunds are processed within 5–7 business days of receiving approved returns. For damaged items, share a clear unboxing video — and you can keep the item after refund approval. At this time, exchanges are not supported. All orders ship from our main warehouse in Hyderabad, India, and are dispatched within 12–36 hours (Mon–Sat). We manage all customs paperwork (IGST, IOSS, VAT) to ensure smooth delivery. Shipping is free in most regions and typically takes 5–9 business days. Priority shipping (4–6 days) is available at checkout for a small fee. We use trusted carriers like Royal Mail, DPD, Emirates Post, Aramex, and Australia Post. Once shipped, you'll receive a tracking email.

👉 View full Returns & Refunds policy | 👉 Shipping Info