johns diary entry

        My first morning in the classroom was a total disaster, I could hardly control the boys and then they told me about something horrific, they claimed that it was them who had murdered their old master Mr. Pelham. They are extremely cunning boys and because I am so desperate to keep hold of this job I was made weak and gave into them, I feel like a little mouse not a grown man!

        When I came home later that night me and Nadia have even started bickering over that job as I don’t feel as though she is being at all supportive or encouraging of me and I don’t think I can tell her about what it is really like there as she already hates the place.

        My second day was even worse, I had thought to myself and was determined to go back the next morning and take control to set some basic ground rules of behaviour in the classroom however the head yet again took no notice of what I was trying to tell him about Mr Pelham, he just wasn’t interested and the boys even threatened me! They have now decided that we will teach for half a period and they will gamble for the other half. I am now completely sure that no matter what I say or do will affect them so I am just going to leave them to it. They have even involved me in their silly gambling schemes so I feel sick to the stomach.

        Me and Nadia are arguing still and she thinks all I do is go to the pub and ignore her, she also mentioned divorce the night after we met the Winstanley’s and I told her that she was making a fool out of herself as she talked as though she was someone who was really low class.

        I thought that coming to this school would give me high hopes for the future and a great start in life but this school is awful and arrogant. I was still hoping to stay here for longer than a term however the head has made it very clear that my time to leave has arrived as a new master who is obviously better than me and fits in better called Gilwit has come to take my place. The head claimed he likes to have “Old Chantrovians” on the staff which clearly meant not me. He then gave me a card from one of the agencies regarding preparatory schools; he mentioned I would be better suited there. I have always wanted to be a master but after this job I have no idea what I look forward to in the near future.