Is There a Pigeon in the Room?: My Life in Schools

Cameron Wyllie’s memoir of his life in schools – as pupil, English teacher and senior manager - brilliantly balances humour and pathos (and moments of startling frankness). I haven’t laughed so much at any book for years – he portrays himself as a most unlikely rugby referee and some of his charges behaved (or misbehaved) in the most inventive ways. At other points I had tears in my eyes, as Wyllie describes acts of kindness, small or large.He provides revealing insights into the educational system, including markers’ meetings and extracurricular activities, particularly debating. Along the way, he expresses sensible views about such matters as sex education, the importance of getting rid of bad teachers, and the best way to deal with drugs. His entire career took place in Scottish fee-paying schools, an area that is not often written about, which gives the book additional value. Wyllie is well aware of the social difficulties created by private education; one of the best passages in the book, set on a train, demonstrates the misapprehensions that can arise as a result. He writes throughout in an entertainingly conversational tone; but, at the same time, it is refreshing to read a work by someone who understands the distinction between ‘who’ and ‘whom’.Wyllie is sometimes self-deprecating about his abilities, but he was clearly a highly successful and inspirational teacher. There were difficulties in his way – maternal disapproval of his career choice, prejudice against gay teachers (until the 1980s, open homosexuality was a barrier to entry to Scottish teacher training on the grounds that it was a ‘character defect’) – but by force of character he swept them all aside. While showing that there have been changes for the better in Scottish education, he also points out that some things have got worse, particularly the decline in genuine ‘resilience’. His work will be an invaluable resource for social historians.In a touching tribute he reveals that he was taught by an English teacher in his prime, who was loved by his class and inspired Wyllie to follow in his footsteps. Mr Caw’s ‘highest praise’, we are told, was the word ‘splendid’, and I have no doubt that he would have bestowed it on this remarkable and highly enjoyable book by his former pupil.

No-one taught by Cameron Wyllie will be surprised at the genuinely funny and perfectly curated vignettes, or the insights into the way kids and parents think, or the way these are so deftly woven together.What makes this memoir important, and should make it of interest more widely, is its honest and unsentimental account of the career of a gay teacher, starting just after the decriminalisation of homosexual acts in Scotland and ending somewhere that (in that respect) might as well be a different universe.A skinny young Cameron (then and now, firmly in his Prime) is hilariously tasked to assist Gilbert Parkhouse (once an accomplished sportsman, but somewhat past his) to coach the least talented rugby players. Parkhouse, he explains, "was always encouraging my interest in one or other of the female staff, and I did not think it wise to enlighten him that I played for the other team in that particular stadium".The development of sex ed is brilliantly chronicled, for maximum cringe. When a female colleague at a boys' school tells him her lessons include "ways in which men could pleasure women", he notes: "This had not featured in my own teaching, though I promised her that, had it been expected of me, I would have read up on it".In a section called 'On Being Gay', we are told 'I do not think it mattered to my career that I was gay'. Is that really true? Being gay (at a time when that meant not having kids of your own) seems to have given him the time to write those musicals, coach the debating teams and supervise the foreign exchange trips. And, not being a parent himself makes his observations on parenting all the more acute.As he would be the first to admit, Cameron Wyllie is more a raconteur than a historian, but this compelling, funny, touching memoir nonetheless documents a period of mind-bending social change.

This, the first of what surely will be a best-selling trilogy, is a marvellous Memoir of Cameron's career as he progresses from a naive, loveable classroom teacher to an outstanding, sympathetic Housemaster and a popular, successful Headmaster.His ethos (a concept over which he will undoubtedly choke on his first glass of Chateau Rothschild) he summarises in a few well-chosen words: I loved my career and I don't regret a single thing about it.Not even his hilarious attempts to coach rugby at DSMC and certainly not his outstanding, inspirational contributions to the English Speaking Union and Scotland's success in all manner of international debating competitions. As a former colleague and longstanding friend, I admired his enlightened approach to developments in the profession ("I have never, ever, used a Power Point presentation") and I am certain all who were fortunate enough to come under his influence will appreciate this beautifully written and profound Memoir. It was good as an historian to note a couple of eighteenth century references (Rockingham and Pitt the Younger). Edmund Burke's verdict on the latter might be of greater relevance than the dear old Mr. Chips Cameron mentions in his final pages: Not merely a chip off the old block, but the old block itself.

I stumbled across this writer's blog a few months ago, and found it entertaining, well written and engaging; so when I saw he had a book on the way, I bought it in advance - my copy arrived a couple of weeks ago and I spent a pleasurable few hours this week reading it, at a leisurely pace. Like his blog, the book is very engaging, and full of anecdotes and views from his experiences of a career in school teaching which took him from rookie teacher, to principal of an outstanding independent school. His style ranges from Scottish plain speaking, to gentle wit, to genuinely intellectual - he knows how to hold the attention of the reader, and rewards that attention well. I hope he writes more - in the meantime, I have the url for his blog!

I absolutely loved this book. It's beautifully written and a lovely account of the school system in Edinburgh and beyond, told with true dry wit, emotion and insight. It is an unsentimental memoire that makes you think and reflect as well as laugh. Well worth a read!

This was a delight; hearing what he thought of his pupils (and their parents), I was mostly struck by how much he cared. I was a pupil in Mr Wylie's class at Heriot's (yes, he is still "Mr Wylie" almost 30 years after leaving school). It must have been one of the first classes he taught through the Higher exams after joining Heriots' and I like to think ours was the class he diplomatically describes as having a reputation for being "difficult" (we were awful at times).As one of the "sporty types" and a polar opposite of a debater, I don't expect he realises the impact he had on my education. I have him to thank for having 3 poetry books in my office (including a collection of Frost and, yes, I still remember snippets of The Road Not Taken).

This is a great book. A story well told. It provoked a lot of laughter and an occasional tear. It is much much more than a series of anecdotes though. It documents how things have evolved in education and left me with the feeling that thanks to the likes of Cameron Wyllie, they have evolved for the better.

Having had the privilege of being taught by Cam Wyllie, I can hear his voice through the pages. I remember his laugh and his voice and the brilliant way he interacted with pupils. There are so many brilliant stories that had me belly laughing; but his humor is matched by his depth - there is so much meaning in his stories and his understanding of students, and life. Even if you haven't had the pleasure of knowing Cam Wyllie, this memoir will be greatly enjoyed. Thank you, Cam Wyllie, for writing this book and tolerating my antics as a student.

As a retired public school teacher and administrator, I found Cam's book an absolute delightful read. His insights into the education system are very accurate, honest, humorous and thought provoking. Even though I worked in the public school system and Cam worked in a private school, experiences are often different, however, for the most part similarities are the same. Dealing with students as well as parents is no different on this side of the the Atlantic Ocean that separates our two experiences in education. As I read this book, I laughed, cried, and I remembered fondly my forty year career in education. Whether readers have children or do not have children in the educational system, they definitely should read this book and the end result will be an honest look at what teachers, students, administrators and parents experience. Cameron Wyllie's honesty, wit and love of education come through on every page of this book.