Detention Diaries

In Episode 2 of Detention Diaries, I sit down with Andy — a former mainstream teacher who went on to set up education across multiple alternative provision sites in the North West, and now works with Progressive Masculinity, helping schools rethink how they support boys.

We dive deep into what’s really going on with young men in education — the ones who slip through the cracks, lash out, or just quietly disappear. We unpack the findings of the ‘Lost Boys’ report, explore the crisis of modern masculinity, and ask: how can schools help boys grow without shutting them down?

Andy’s story takes us from PE changing rooms to PRU classrooms to working nationally on gender and behaviour. It’s a conversation about identity, belonging, and hope, with a fair bit of honesty (and a touch of swearing) along the way.

If you’ve ever taught that student, worried about the state of boys’ education, or wondered what it really means to “man up” in 2025 — this episode’s for you.

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— the online staffroom for real talk about teaching, learning, and surviving education.

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 👉 Head to www.detentiondiaries.com
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Because education doesn’t end at the classroom door — and neither does the conversation.

When mainstream can’t meet every need — what really happens inside a Pupil Referral Unit? 

In this episode of Detention Diaries, I sit down with David — a former SENDCo at my school who’s now working as English Lead in a Pupil Referral Unit (PRU). He’s someone who’s lived the reality of trying to make mainstream education work for every student… and then decided to see what life was like beyond it.

We talk about the truth behind alternative provision — the successes, the heartbreaks, the misconceptions — and what it’s like teaching young people who’ve already been written off by the system. David shares his honest thoughts on behaviour, inclusion, and what schools get wrong (and right) when supporting students with complex needs.

Expect insight, humour, and a few moments that might make you rethink what “success” looks like in education. Oh — and maybe a little swearing. Because when you’re working in a PRU, sometimes there’s just no other word that fits.

If you’ve ever worked with challenging students, tried to keep your cool during yet another “urgent” behaviour meeting, or wondered what happens after exclusion — this episode pulls back the curtain.

Support the show

Enjoyed the episode? Then it’s time to join the class.
 👉 Head to www.detentiondiaries.com
to read the blog, sign up for the newsletter, and join our online staffroom community.

Because education doesn’t end at the classroom door — and neither does the conversation.

Welcome to Detention Diaries.

Stay tuned for our first episode. 

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Loads of love.

Detention Diaries

Support the show

Enjoyed the episode? Then it’s time to join the class.
 👉 Head to www.detentiondiaries.com
to read the blog, sign up for the newsletter, and join our online staffroom community.

Because education doesn’t end at the classroom door — and neither does the conversation.