Nick Luxmoore knows a lot about schools, not least the fabric of their emotional lives. In this book he brings many years of experience, initially as teacher and later as a counsellor, to thinking about and making sense of the human complexities that reside within and between teachers, school staff, pupils and parents - complexities that make up the culture of the whole school. His text is alive with curiosity and good humour, unburdened by theoretical jargon (though he knows his theory) and peppered throughout with slices of engaging dialogue that illustrate so well what he believes to be important. If anyone, professional or otherwise, wants to understand the ordinary extraordinariness of school life, and the meaning and place of counselling in its midst, then this book is a must. It truly goes to the heart of the matter.
Peter Wilson, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist, Clinical Advisor, Place2Be, UK and author of Young Minds in Our Schools Life (especially the school counsellor's and young client's) has to be lived without the benefit of magicians. But Nick waves his wand over each chapter of this book, deftly sprinkling the gold dust of theoretical insight and practical wisdom that betrays someone who's earned the right to share. He traces with honesty and humour the interweave of the counsellor and the inner and outer life of the school system in which the work must be done – discerning and demonstrating how the participants can be most effectively and realistically in touch. Creative loitering (to steal Nick's phrase) within the pages of this book will ensure school counsellors steep themselves in a deep understanding of their role and opportunities, while never forgetting their non-magical status among other helpers on the premises.
Eleanor Patrick, Editor, BACP Children and Young People Luxmoore writes engagingly about how to fit in professionally, maintaining boundaries while building rapport... There are helpful chapter on relating to the head teacher and to parents, on the management of volunteer counsellors and on setting up and sustaining a peer support system. Luxmoore provides an almost fly-on-the-wall insight into the harassed atmosphere of schools.
Meg Harper, Counsellor and Writer
Therapy Today.net