This is the story of a public-sector post-primary school in a working-class area of an Irish town. The school is called ‘The Spike’ because it had been a workhouse. Rowdy pupils, indifferent parents, lethargic teachers, a worn-out school building. Mr O’Mahony is the Acting Principal, has his hands full yet still manages, despite his own incoherent way, to get across what education is all about.
This book was based on a RTE series of the same name. The TV show caused consternation when it aired in 1978. The show was to run for ten episodes but only five were aired. The show was so bad that it a subject of ridicule.
Now is your chance to read the book and see if the unaired five episodes were as bad as the five that were shown.