Small Axe (2020–…): Season 1, Episode 5 - Education - full transcript
Education is the coming of age story of 12-year-old Kingsley (Kenyah Sandy), who has a fascination for astronauts and rockets. When Kingsley is pulled to the headmaster's office for being ...
These are the stars of Andromeda,
our home.
Places made familiar through
centuries of galactic travel.
But this is no ordinary journey,
because we are heading
out of charted territory,
through vast clouds of hydrogen,
to the very limits of our galaxy...
GASPS, WHISPERS
Look at that one.
...and there, as we emerge, are the
galaxies of our neighbours beyond.
And now we're out far enough
to see in perspective
the place we've just left,
the beautiful spiral formation
of Andromeda.
Goodbye, Andromeda.
We'll be gone a long time,
for our voyage will carry us
through two-and-a-half million light
years of intergalactic void.
Activating the onboard replay scanner,
we're able to compress time
and watch a stellar birth.
A nuclear heart is beginning to beat.
RADIO:25 minutes now to eight,
and I've got four big stars
on the programme today,
and first off is Libra.
And Librans are going to find...
They're going to find people
charming to chat to today,
and if you're a Libra,
you'll have no trouble in collecting
followers or admirers,
and I hope that
you're putting your street in
for our new contest...
WATER RUNS
..which is called Keep the Capital
Clean.
We're not really looking
for a complete face-lift,
just some indications that you care
about the street that you live in.
So why don't you enter?
And send your nomination
to Keep Britain Tidy...
You want tea?
Mm-hm.
..that's Box 194 in London,
here at Capital Radio.
And the Keep Britain Tidy people
at Capital Radio
are going to be doing the judging,
and the prize will be a street party
with Capital's DJs attending...
You always take so long.
It's not fair!
Blahdy-blahdy-blah!
I just need to wash and brush my teeth.
Kingsley, go away!
I'm telling Mum.
DOOR OPENS
Bathroom's free!
Finally!
LAUGHS
RADIO: To music, and Love Is The
Drug.
It's 21 minutes now before eight
o'clock,
and if you're going off to school,
and maybe you've got a few minutes
before you have to catch the bus,
well, hang on just a moment,
because what I'd like to know is,
of any special events
that's being organised
at your school this week
that may be open to members of the
public,
such as a school play
or maybe a sports event.
Now, if there is one at your school
and you know about it
and you'd like everybody else
to know about it, then call me
at Capital Radio right now,
and we may give you the chance
to tell London
what's going on at your school.
The number - 3881295. Call now.
HORN TOOTS ON RADIO
Call us now.
With the latest traffic news...
Eat breakfast.
No time. Bye!
All right, I'm going.
RADIO CONTINUES INDISTINCTLY
See you later, Dad!
See you.
I'm late!
Eat breakfast!
Morning.Morning.
There is a path through the willows
and among the sycamores,
a path beaten hard by boys
coming down from the highway
in the evening to jungle-up near water.
In front of the low horizontal limb
of a giant sycamore,
there is an ash pile made by many
fires.
The limb is worn smooth
by men who have sat on it.
Evening of a hot day started
the little winds
to moving among the leaves.
The shade climbed up the hills
towards the top.
On the sandbanks,
the rabbits sat as quietly
as little grey... scup... scuptured
stones.
Sculptured, not scuptured, Sajid.
..sculptured stones.
GIGGLING
You big blockhead, Kingsley.
PUPIL: Blockhead!
GIGGLING
It's page... page two.
Second paragraph down.
HALTINGLY And then...
PUPIL: Blockhead!
GIGGLING
And then...
And then fro...
Then...
...f-fro...f-fro...
And then... TEACHER: Samantha,
please continue.
And then from the direction
of the state highway
came the sound of footsteps
on crisp sycamore leaves.
The rabbits hurried noiselessly for
cover.
A stilted heron laboured up into the
air and pounded downriver.
For a moment, the place was lifeless.
SCHOOL BELL RINGS
So, guys, what do you want to do
when you grow up?
I don't know. What about you,
Kingsley?
I want to be an astronaut.
You can't have a black man in space!
Who told you that?
Calm down.
Lads, all right?
Yeah.Yeah.
I mean, I've got a lot of science
homework to do.
Ready?
One, two...
PIANO PLAYS
♪ London's burning ♪
♪ London's burning ♪
♪ Fetch the engines ♪
♪ Fetch the engines ♪
♪ Fire, fire! ♪
♪ Fire, fire! ♪
♪ Pour on water ♪
♪ Pour on water ♪
KINGSLEY: ♪ My dictionary ♪
♪ Will you suck my dictionary? ♪
I beg your pardon?
PIANO AND SINGING STOP ABRUPTLY
Repeat what you just said.
Go on, Smith, I dare you!
Nothing, Mr Hamley.
LAUGHS
You lying little bugger.
I heard what you just said,
and it's disgusting
and it's unacceptable, and it has no
place in this classroom!
Come with me!
Get out!
Go on, get out!
Right, continue.
From the top.
PIANO PLAYS
♪ London's burning ♪
♪ London's burning ♪
♪ Fetch the engines ♪
♪ Fetch the engines... ♪
SNORES GENTLY
ALARM CLOCK RINGS
KINGSLEY: Father God, thank you for
today. Thank you for blessing us.
Please send your angels to watch
over our bed, doors and windows.
Protect us and keep us safe.
Help us to have sweet dreams.
In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Dear God, I'm sorry I was naughty
today,
but if I'm a good boy, can I please
be an astronaut like Neil Armstrong,
and also play for Tottenham?
Amen.
GIRL: Dear God, thank you for today.
I thank you
that I got good marks in the test.
Please can you help me to keep
getting good marks so that I can get
into Chelsea School of Art?
Please, please, please!
Then I can work my way up
in the fashion world
and then I can go to Paris,
to one of the fashion houses,
like Yves Saint Laurent, and travel
the world looking for fabrics.
Then I can design my own range
and become world renowned
and rich and famous, but not arrogant.
And please can you bless Mummy and
Daddy and Kingsley, too?
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
SCHOOL BELL RINGS
SNORES SOFTLY
DOOR OPENS
Mrs Smith.
The headmaster is ready for you now.
Mrs Smith, I don't believe we've met.
Unfortunately, I've met you
a great many more times than I
should have, haven't I, young man?
I came as soon as was possible.
The lady on the phone
spoke of an emergency.
Now, I'm a fair man, Mrs Smith.
A Christian man.
I'm sure we can understand each
other on that account.
So, whilst we could make this
all about your son's behaviour,
the many complaints I receive
about his disruptive influence
on the classroom,
I'm pleased, instead,
to talk about second chances.
Mrs Smith, I can see that Kingsley
is not a bad child.
He's, er, a bit lively, perhaps.
But, you see, our school
participates in all manner of tests,
including intelligence tests.
Now, Kingsley's IQ results suggest
that his particular needs
are going to be better served
by a school specifically established
to meet his requirements.
A special school.
I don't want to go to a special school.
I'll work hard, Mummy, I promise.
Kingsley!
A special school is called special
for a very good reason.
Smaller classes.
More focused teaching.
What was this test you mentioned?
The IQ test is an intelligence test
designed...
Well, designed to test
the general intelligence
of, er, any age group
across the population.
Now, I'm afraid Kingsley, er...
Kingsley scored well below average.
My son sometimes doesn't get things
right the first time.
Can't he take the test again?
No, it doesn't work like that.
No, it's a one-off exam,
but adjudicated independently
so we know it's fair.
Now, it's in Kingsley's best
interest that he be
transferred to another school.
Fortunately, we can do this straight
away.
Who... Who decided this?
Can I speak to them?
I am the messenger of good news
here, Mrs Smith.
I shouldn't have to remind you of that.
Please...
take a look.
How's he supposed to get to Barnet
and back every day?
Nothing like that to worry about,
Mrs Smith, no.
A bus leaves
from outside the school here,
brings him back at the end of every
day.
This is a great opportunity for you,
young man.
I don't know what they call me
down here for!
Emergency for good news?
Don't make no sense.
You can't let them, Mum...
Don't even!
When are you going to grow up
and be more like your sister, hmm?
Nothing but a heap of trouble!
But it wasn't only me.
The teachers just pick on me.
Take this and go straight home.
I ain't got time for any of this.
I got to go to work.
It's true, Mummy.
Give me the ball, man!
Hello, Mrs Jones.
How are you doing today? OK?
I'll just check your pulse for you.
DOOR SLAMS Stephanie!
Why are you making so much noise?
You're going to wake Mummy.
Mummy's at work.
I've been kicked out of school.
What? Be quiet, Kingsley. That's not
funny. Mummy's sleeping.
Mummy's not here. She had to meet
the headmaster,
and it's really shit.
They're sending me to a stupid
school. Stop swearing in the house.
You're going to get us both
killed. I don't care!
Mummy's not here.
Oh, my God.
FOOTSTEPS RUN UP STAIRS
FOOTSTEPS RUN DOWN STAIRS
What's going on?
I'm trying to tell you.
They're sending me to a stupid school.
They gave me this.
Two kids from my school got sent
to a school like this.
What does it say?
What, you want me to read it for you?
I have read it. I want to hear it.
You don't fool me.
Erm. "There is a school in Durrants
catering for kids with special"
"educational needs," like not being
able to read, Kingsley,
"since 1922."
I don't have special needs.
I can read when I know the word.
It's a school for idiots, isn't it?
Hmm. There's a swimming pool.
I hate swimming.
Wait, wait, wait.
"After 60 years, suspicion and
ignorance has given way"
"to enlightenment"
"and acceptance that Durrants
is first and foremost a school."
What does that even mean?
First and foremost a school?
Why would you only put "school"
in capital letters?
FOOTSTEPS THUMP ON STAIRS
SIGHS
DOOR CLOSES
FOOTSTEPS
DOOR OPENS
Boy... Why you not in bed?
I'm tired, tired, tired,
and I have to work to my other job
just to put the shoes on your feet
and pay for this house!
I'm not doing this for you
to make a fool of me now.
SLAPS LAND Go to bed!
Go to bed!
DOOR SLAMS
FOOTSTEPS ON STAIRS
Nothing but a heap of trouble!
DOOR SLAMS
Fine.
SOBS
SOBS INTENSIFY
What do we have first, maths or
English?
Guess we'll be late to both.
BOTH LAUGH
SAJID: Hey, look who's here.
Kingsley, Kingsley, over here!
That's so unfair. You don't have to
wear a school uniform any more!
We're here to say good luck.
Shut up.
I mean it.
Yeah.
By the look of your new friends,
you're going to need it.
Young man, you going to Durrants?
Yeah.
SAJID AND JOSEPH: See you.
JOSEPH LAUGHS
Shut up.
See you.
CHILDREN CHAT AND LAUGH
Good morning, everyone, and welcome
to your new school, Durrants.
Is everyone excited?
My name's Mr Block,
and I'm in charge
of all you new pupils here,
and we'll be sending you
to your classrooms a bit later,
but now, and this is nothing
for you to worry about,
but we're going to start the day
with a few exercises
in order to understand you better.
That sound all right?
Let's start, then, shall we?
Hands up if you can tell me
what this says.
Woof.
Woof.
Woof.
Woof.
What does it say?
Meow.Ambulance.
Very good.
Ambulance.
Woof. Woof.
Ambulances take people to hospital
in an emergency.
Now, what about you, Kingsley?
Baa.
Can you tell me what this one
says? Baa. Baa. Baa.
Moo.
Do you know which letters they
are? Moo!
What is this first one?
Moo!
It says exit.
I wasn't asking you, Nina.
I was asking Kingsley.
What's this first letter here?
It says exit. I knew that.
But I want to know
what this first letter is now.
Meow.
Meow.
If you knew what it said,
why didn't you say?
Woof.
Woof.
I walked and walked,
and what did I see?
I saw John, and John saw me.
"Come and play," he said.
"Come and play with me."
I walked and walked, and what did I
see?
I saw Mother, and Mother saw me.
"Come home," she said.
"Come home with me."
PAGE TURNS
John said, "I like big trains."
"I like little trains."
SCHOOL BELL RINGS
Right, everyone.
That's lunch.
I'm starving.
Woof. Woof.
Woof. Woof.
Woof.
Woof. Woof.
Woof.
Yay!
CHILDREN LAUGH AND CHAT
WHISTLE
LAUGHTER AND CHATTER CEASES
I catch anyone climbing that fence,
there'll be hell to pay.
- Do you understand?
CHILDREN: Yes, miss.
When you hear a loud whistle like
this...
...you come back here. Got it?
CHILDREN: Yeah.
Get on with it, then.
CHILDREN CHEER
But what are we supposed to do?
Do what you want.
Go and swing from the trees
like you're back home in the jungle,
for all I care.
Just don't break any bones.
Kingsley!
Kingsley, we know you're in there.
I hope he's all right.
My brother says once you're in them
schools, that's it.
Your whole life's finished.
What are you talking about?
That you can't get a job, or nothing.
No-one ever takes you seriously,
cos they always know inside
that you're thick.
You can't get married, or nothing.
Who wants to get married? Shut up.
DRIVER: What are you lot still
hanging about for?
Get lost, the pair of you!
You heard, scram.
Scram yourself, you fat git.
You had to say it.
You had to say it.
All right, son, coast is clear.
Go on, off you get.
I want to go home.
They'll get bored soon enough.
On Friday, we didn't do anything all
day. Nothing.
The teacher came into the classroom
after assembly
for about ten seconds.
We just sat all morning doing nothing.
Well, come on, it can't be that bad.
What about the other children?
They make animal noises.
It's so boring.
Well, you used to say
your last school was boring.
Yeah, but this isn't even a school.
It's not a school if the teachers
don't teach you anything.
What are you two chatting about?
Why haven't you laid the table?
Kingsley, go upstairs
and finish tidying your room.
I tell you before.
Mummy...
..I'm really worried about
Kingsley's new school.
What you know about Kingsley's new
school?
What you should be worried about
is taking down the hem of that skirt
and making it the right length.
And before you go to bed tonight,
bring down that skirt, let me see it.
But I decided to do it on fashion.
You know, like my kind of fashion.
But they said I had to team up
with someone,
so I had to do it with Beverley,
even though she's not interested
in fashion design,
but she doesn't argue with me.
Fashion?
Kingsley, I'm arranging for you to
come with me on Thursday.
Meet Charlie.
I'm going to bring you over to him,
and he's going to teach you.
Why you twist up your face so?
Carpentry's a good trade.
Good money.
But, Daddy, don't you think
it's good to maybe stay in school
and go to college?
School is very important.
But it's Sunday, and we're at the
table.
Well, what do you think, Kingsley?
What do you think about Nathan
Matthews?
Who's Nathan Matthews?
What did I just say? I've had enough
of...
Stephie, go get the mauby from the
fridge.
CLEARS HER THROAT
CHILDREN SHOUT
Super bad!
DOOR BANGS
Hello! I'm sorry if I gave you a
shock.
I've been waiting here for five
minutes for someone to let me in.
Wait a minute, where are you off to?
I'm not a teacher.
Don't worry, I won't tell anyone if
you can help me.
What's your name?
Kingsley.
Kingsley, what's your surname?
Why?
I'm interested in names, I suppose.
But you are right to ask.
Shall we go back inside?
What school were you at before?
Bygate Hill.
I know it. That's a long way away.
Yeah, it's rubbish.
But I don't mind.
What's your name again?
Hazel Lewis.
Now, I better find the headmaster.
He isn't in today.
He wasn't in assembly either.
I see.
Can you help me find the staffroom?
BANGING AND SHOUTING
Where you been?
The toilet. Everybody shut up.
No, you didn't. I checked in the
toilet, and you weren't there.
Where is your teacher?
BANGING AND SHOUTING STOPS
He never comes to class no more.
Sometimes he does.
Only sometimes.
Dear, oh, dear.
I think everyone should sit back
down now, please.
Are you a teacher?
I was a teacher, yes.
Not here, but back home in British
Guiana, I was.
I'm a psychologist now.
Can anyone tell me what a
psychologist is?
I hate psychologists.
So do I.
SIGHS
I am disappointed.
What about teachers?
Do you hate them, too?
Yeah, they suck.
They're the worst.
And what is your name?
Nina Edmunds, miss.
Who are you?
Call me Hazel.
Do I know your mummy?
What's her name?
Jemima.
Jemima Edmunds.
Yes.
Are you black?
Of course I am.
She's definitely black.
Like I am and you are as well.
I'm not.
You are.
Nina...
..I can't speak for you...
..but I do know
that I am definitely black.
I am black and I love being black.
But first, I need to know...
I need everybody to tell me your names.
Your full names and your old schools
and...
And everybody's parents' names.
And, yes, Kingsley Smith, that too.
Suspiciously quiet in here.
What are you doing here? We've been
round the houses looking for you.
You were supposed to come
to the staffroom,
not speak to the bloody children.
Excuse me, Mr...?
That's Mr Baines.
Mr Baines.
Of course it is.
I was looking for the staffroom
when I found, instead, a room full
of unsupervised children.
Shall we go, then?
SUCKS TEETH
SHOUTING AND BANGING RESUMES
Kingsley?
What are you doing?
Ruff!
Excuse me?
Drawing.
Drawing what?
Drawing, Mummy.
You can watch television
until Stephanie come home.
I have to go.
MUSIC: Lazy Sunday
by Small Faces
KIDS SHOUT AND CHEER
SHOUTING CONTINUES
Mrs Smith? I'm sorry if I
disturbed you.
Do you remember me? Lydia Thomas.
Last time I saw you, I think,
was at my cousin's wedding
in Shepherd's Bush.
I'm sorry to keep you.
That's all right.
I don't have any biscuits.
Oh, biscuits don't last a minute
in my home.
I don't know if you remember...
..but I used to be involved
in politics.
I remember.
Yes, well, now, because of my
children, more than anything,
I've become more and more concerned
with matters educational.
I'm sorry to have to tell you
that some schools in London
are saying that
their academic standards
are being eroded
by the West Indian children
in their classes.
You see, the system
is already stacked against them.
I always tell my children
they have to work harder
to overcome such things.
Mm. But when the system is designed
to go against them,
sometimes it doesn't matter
how hard they try,
the system wants them to fail.
The organisation I work for
is trying to do something
about these extra challenges
that our children face.
That's very good for you, Mrs Thomas,
but I don't see
what that's got to do with me.
Oh, I beg your pardon.
Um, it's just that we understand
that your son Kingsley
now attends Durrants School.
How do you know that?
We've set up a small organisation
to try and find out
the names of the children
who've been sent to these schools.
Sometimes, some of us
go into the schools
to try and get this information,
Mrs Smith,
so that we can come
and speak directly to the parents.
Like my colleague, Hazel Lewis,
who met Kingsley.
Kingsley has settled in just fine.
I don't remember the last time
I hear him complain about school.
Well, that can be quite common
in Kingsley's age group,
especially under such
difficult circumstances...
Kingsley don't know about difficult.
He's a child. He's just at school.
But that's just it.
It's not a school.
Or at least not one
any of us would recognise...
..as this book by Bernard Coard,
a Grenadian,
will explain better than me.
The Inner London Education Authority
has a policy of targeting our children.
What is this all about?
Why are you here?
We are here to try and get Kingsley
back into the regular school system.
Now, you might be able to appeal...
This is what I am trying to tell you.
Kingsley do have some issue,
but it's a special school.
I don't mean to upset you, Agnes,
but there's nothing special
about his school.
I can take a look at this
after you've left,
but if you'll excuse me, Mrs Thomas,
I have to get ready for work.
Please know my intentions are not to...
Look, I'll leave this here for you
and also a note about a meeting
at the town hall
for parents of children sent
to educationally subnormal schools.
Educationally what?
That's what they're called, Agnes.
Schools for
the educationally subnormal.
If you'll excuse me, Mrs Thomas,
I'm running late.
We have a network of Saturday
schools all over the borough
which your son could attend.
I've written down my details.
Thank you.
DOOR SLAMS
HE PLAYS A CHORD
♪ There is a house in New Orleans ♪
♪ They call the Rising Sun ♪
♪ And it's been the ruin ♪
♪ Of many a poor boy ♪
♪ And, God, I know I'm one ♪
♪ Oh, mo... my mother was a tailor ♪
♪ She sewed my... ♪
♪ She sewed my new blue jeans ♪
♪ My father was a gambling man ♪
♪ Down in New Orleans ♪
♪ Now, the only thing a gambler needs ♪
♪ Is a suitcase and a trunk ♪
♪ And the only time he's satisfied ♪
♪ Is when he's all drunk ♪
♪ Now, Mother, tell your children ♪
♪ Not to do what I have done ♪
♪ Spend your lives in sin and misery ♪
♪ In the House of the Rising Sun ♪
♪ I got one foot on the platform ♪
♪ The other foot on the train ♪
♪ Cos I'm going back to New Orleans ♪
♪ To wear that ball and chain... ♪
STRUMMING STOPS
STRUMMING RESTARTS
♪ Well, there is a house ♪
♪ In New Orleans ♪
♪ They call the Rising Sun ♪
♪ And it's been the ruin ♪
♪ of many a poor boy ♪
♪ And, God, I know I'm one ♪
♪ There is a house in New Orleans ♪
♪ They call the Rising Sun ♪
♪ And it's been the ruin ♪
♪ of many a poor boy ♪
♪ And, God, I know I'm one. ♪
OK, who wrote that?
It's the Animals, boys and girls.
The Animals.
Kingsley.
Tell me what's really going on
at that school.
You learning anything? You like it?
Did you meet a woman called Hazel
at your school?
Did you meet her?
Yes, Mummy.
She's saying that the school
is not treating you children right.
Is that true?
Yes, Mummy.
You know what? I'll cook you
some roti tonight.
You like that?
Yes, Mummy.
TV: Recently, Roobarb was sitting
in the garden,
thinking how nice it was
not having Custard grinning
over the fence for once,
and the birds scratching noises
into the summer air
with their silly beaks,
and how nice it was
having nothing happening,
apart from wondering
what would happen next.
When it did...
HICCUP
"Oh," cringed Roobarb.
HICCUP
"One minute all's well, and the very
next minute all's..."
HICCUP
"There it is again."
HICCUP
"What are you rambling on about
now?" enquired Custard,
without even bothering
to look over the fence.
"Earthquakes..."
HICCUP
..announced Roobarb.
"That's what I'm rambling about.
"Earthquakes, and lots of them."
HICCUP
"Whatever you do, don't panic,"
shouted Roobarb
as he careered round the garden,
warning everyone about the dangers
of earthquakes,
and in the event of one, the
dangers of wearing damp socks...
HICCUP
..whatever that meant.
Custard dragged...
One of the ways in which the school
system thinks they can treat us
is that they genuinely believe
we are all a bunch of...
I don't know.
..cowhands.
They never assumed that the same
spread of intelligence,
professional careers,
white-collar jobs,
blue-collar jobs that you have in
this country,
we would have had where we came from.
I feel nothing but let down by
the system.
And not just the school system,
this whole...
..blasted country system!
MURMURS OF AGREEMENT
I came here with a dream for my family.
And I'm ashamed to admit it...
..but when my children bring
it home...
..I find myself hating them for it.
MURMURS OF AGREEMENT
My own children.
And that just make me hate this
place all the more.
I don't have no dream to pass on.
I feel the sacrifice that you have
made, Mrs Morrison.
But I have to believe that it is
never, ever too late for a child.
We know there are far too many
of our children trapped
in these schools for
the educationally subnormal.
I refuse to call them special.
Don't make me laugh!
They say our children are there
because they are too loud.
Too slow.
Too unmanageable.
Or too lively.
What a complete and utter nonsense!
Low expectations from primary
and secondary school teachers,
which I have seen with my own eyes
in regards to my own children,
are part of the problem.
But as the Doulton Report,
a confidential government paper
which has been leaked, proves,
there is a deeply rooted cultural bias
in these IQ tests.
As individuals,
we face an impossible battle,
but we have strength in numbers.
As a collective, we stand a chance,
so we need your help.
Without the support of the parents,
our campaign will fail.
I am the mother of three boys,
growing them up in London.
I was horrified to learn them
call my eldest,
who have a strong West Indian
accent, them call him
slow as a slowcoach
when him first arrive at the school.
MURMURS OF DISAPPROVAL
That what them call him.
Now, this boy could read and write
and do some basic arithmetic
when him three year old,
because I make sure him could.
If a teacher think a child's stupid,
him start to act stupid.
That a bare fact. I give up hope for
him, my eldest,
but I won't make it happen
to my other two.
Will give up my job if I have to.
So, tell me, what me can do for them.
Send them to one of our
supplementary Saturday schools.
That's the first thing you can do now.
And they are free for all your children
for a £1 membership fee.
I make no lie about this.
But I can't read nor write.
Not more than my name.
It's too late for me now,
but hear an old man out.
I am very concerned with these
educationally subnormal schools.
But I'm concerned more with the truth
that the majority of our youngsters
going to these so-called normal schools
are coming out achieving as little
as the children
going to these ESN schools.
Me grandchild, he just turned 16,
and I discovered the boy can't
read or write good.
Now, I did never go to school.
Not for a single day.
But this pickney spent
12 damn years in one!
That's why we're here today.
To bring awareness to this
and hear your voices and concerns.
We are here to solve this.
Our future depends on it.
MURMURS OF AGREEMENT
APPLAUSE
Next, we're taking names of people
that you know are at these ESN schools.
TV: The world will shrink for
a new...
Excuse me, we were watching that.
I want you to be quiet.
I need to talk to Kingsley.
Oh, what's he done now?
Stephanie, please!
He's done nothing wrong.
What's the matter, then, Mummy?
I just want to...
I just want to hear you read,
that's all.
We're watching TV.
Kingsley, read this for me.
Just read it.
That's all I'm asking you do.
We were in the middle of something,
Mummy. Can you not do it later?
Kingsley, read what it says.
Read it. Just leave him
alone, Mummy.
Excuse me?
No, not any more.
Kingsley, you're going to stay here
until you try, you understand me?
No more hiding. Not me, not you.
I won't hide in my own home!
Uh...
HE STUTTERS
Uh...
Uh...
HE SOBS
All right.
All right, baby.
SOBS INTENSIFY All right.
SOFTLY: All right, baby. OK.
Ssh...
OK, baby. All right.
All right. All right, baby.
All right, baby.
OK?
Hey, you all right?
You OK, baby?
FOOTSTEPS
Esmond... Mm.
We need to talk.
I'm doing some sleeping.
It's Kingsley. His school.
A lady come round the other day,
her name is Lydia Thomas.
You know her. From Grenville.
Mm.
She says she know all about
Kingsley's new school.
There's nothing special about
this school.
It's a school for children
they call subnormal.
What do you mean?
She left me a book
that explains all of that.
Kingsley is not stupid, Esmond,
but he cannot read.
The boy needs to learn a trade.
Let him alone till then.
I went to a meeting at the town hall
for children like Kingsley.
I said let him alone, woman.
Listen to me, Esmond!
They are failing our son.
The room was full of people...
SHOUTING: I said let
it alone, woman!
I won't let nothing alone!
Nothing!
SOFTLY: My boy. My...
SHE SIGHS
I want answers first,
before you take action.
Why did you send him there?
I'm very sorry, Mrs Smith...
Sorry? What are you sorry for?
Well, I'm sorry you've missed
the deadline for an appeal.
Deadline? You never told me we had
a right of appeal
in the first place. It's in your
son's interests.
Don't lie to me! You call yourself a
Christian man?
You never told me the school was for
the educationally subnormal nonsense.
It's an official term.
Official term?
Kingsley may have trouble reading,
but make no mistake, he's a darn
sight more intelligent than you.
This will not be the last time we meet,
let me tell you now!
Read me the thing.
I don't know if I trust this
fellow Coard.
Make all sort of noise back home.
Daddy...
...just listen, all right?
"The implications for a large number
of West Indian children"
"who get placed in ESN schools
and who can never escape"
"back to normal schools
are far reaching and permanent."
"As demonstrated above, the West
Indian child's educational level"
"on leaving school will be very low."
"He will be eligible, by reason of
his lack of qualifications"
"and his assessment as being ESN,"
"only for the jobs which really ESN
pupils are able to perform,"
"namely, simple, repetitive jobs
of a menial kind"
"which involve little use
of intelligence."
Well, Kingsley can come
and work with me.
Can learn him a trade and...
Daddy, Kingsley is very bright.
Just listen, all right?
"This is what he or she can look
forward to as a career."
"In turn, through getting his
poor wages, poor housing"
"and having no motivation
to better himself,"
"his children can look forward
to a similar educational experience"
"and similar career prospects."
Read me the rest.
Are you some sort of undercover spy?
LAUGHTER
I couldn't do what she does.
I think at Durrants
I was pretending to be a journalist
interested in the good work of
the school for a newspaper article.
I wanted to meet the headmaster
and trick him into giving me
the names of the students.
Unfortunately, he wasn't
so forthcoming.
But I was lucky to meet Kingsley,
who, I must say, I was very taken with.
He's very tenacious.
I have to say thank you.
To you both.
I am forever grateful.
I've read this book now,
cover to cover, at least twice,
because the first time I was
very upset.
But as I told Lydia, his old school
say I have no right of appeal left,
that too much time has passed,
but this book mentioned
that I now have to write
to the Secretary of State for
Education, or something?
That's correct, yes.
A woman named Margaret Thatcher.
She's only just been appointed,
so maybe we will have a chance.
I have to write to the Secretary
of State. Goodness me.
We will advise you what to write.
I must say, Mrs Smith, I wish
more parents were like you.
If we do nothing, nothing will change.
I am prepared to fight this
with every breath in my body.
School on a weekend is so unfair.
Yeah, life is unfair.
Good morning.
Morning! Hi, this is
my brother, Kingsley.
Hello, Kingsley. You're just in
time for breakfast.
Mm! Go on, then.
Mwah. See you later.
Ah, what about you, big sister?
What's your name?
Stephanie. So, you don't want to
come in?
Oh, no, I don't... You don't want to
learn about Claudia Jones?
Who's Claudia Jones?
I don't believe you.
It is for young people like you
why we have our black
history discussion group.
Come and have some breakfast, man.
Come in. You can leave any time.
Right, I am Mrs Bartholomew,
but you can call me Tabitha.
Now, I can promise you both
you have never been to a school
anything like mine.
60!72!
84!96!
108!120!
132!144!
It's a draw!
SHE LAUGHS
You're both excellent at your times
tables. Good for you.
I know my 13s. Do you know 13s?
Yes. 13!26.
36... No, 39.
Huh, I win.
39, 52, 65.
But times tables only goes up to 12.
Isn't it, Mrs Bartholomew?
No, it don't. It goes all the way up
to 20.
Actually, Baz... Thank you.
..it goes up and up and up
and just keeps going
until only the finest brains in
the land can keep up.
Like a rocket out of our solar system.
All the way to infinity?
Now, there's a clever young man, Hey?
To infinity.
Imagine that.
I'm very impressed, Kingsley.
And, Ashley, the school syllabus
only goes up to 12,
which is what we concentrate on here
so that you can do well in school
and come out with the best grades
you can.
Right, before we start,
I have three sausages left.
Who's still hungry? Uh-uh.
I'll have to get more
sausages next week.
Now, if I cut them in half,
how many will that make?
Six! Good. Into quarters?
12?Correct!
But who wants a quarter of a sausage?
THEY LAUGH
I don't think so.
Is everybody ready?
CHILDREN: Yes.Good.
Well, I want to start with a little
story before we begin.
Now, I went to school in Grenada,
but I didn't learn very much about
Africa or its history.
What do you all know about
our ancestors?
Yes?
That we were slaves.
MRS BARTHOLOMEW CHUCKLES
That is what they want us to know.
Did they teach you anything else?
What about the Nubians?
The Maasai?
The Kingdom of Kush?
Mn-mn.
So you know nothing about the people
or the richness of the cultures
or the fact that we existed
long before anybody else.
SHE CHUCKLES
Well...
..this is where we begin.
Stephanie, read for me, please.
Open your book.
"Queen Amina of Zaria."
"Amina lived over 400 years ago
in a place called Zaria,"
"which we now know as Nigeria."
Mm-hm!
"Although she was a princess,
she was brought up to be a warrior"
"because her tribe were always at
war with their neighbours."
"She was born in the 16th century
and her parents were king and queen."
"She had brothers
and a younger sister, Zaria."
"Amina was the favourite child
of their grandfather,"
"who was a very wise and powerful king,"
"and when she was little,
he would talk to her"
"about how to be a strong
military leader."
"Sh-She never ex..."
"...expected to be queen,"
"but her... older brother"
"died un..."
"...une..."
"- ...une...
WHISPERS: Unexpectedly."
"...unexpectedly,
and so she became queen"
"and had to lead her tribe into war..."
"..a war which la..."
"..lasted nearly 35 years..."
"..and during which..."
"..stories about this wonderf..."
"..won... wonderful girl,"
"who was a leader of men,
were told far and wide."
"All the young men
in the surrounding tribes"
"wanted to marry her,"
"but she turned them
and all their fine offers"
"of wedding gifts down,
as she did not need them."
"Amina built walls around
the territories."
GENTLE LAUGHTER
"She owned a map of Ancient Africa."
"1685. These walls,"
"which were intended to protect all
that she won in battle -"
"territories, places and people -
were made of earth,"
"and it took slaves many years
to build them."
"Some of these walls still survive..."
"..in modern-days Nigeria
are known as Amina's Walls."
"They are a lasting legacy
of a queen who was feared."
our home.
Places made familiar through
centuries of galactic travel.
But this is no ordinary journey,
because we are heading
out of charted territory,
through vast clouds of hydrogen,
to the very limits of our galaxy...
GASPS, WHISPERS
Look at that one.
...and there, as we emerge, are the
galaxies of our neighbours beyond.
And now we're out far enough
to see in perspective
the place we've just left,
the beautiful spiral formation
of Andromeda.
Goodbye, Andromeda.
We'll be gone a long time,
for our voyage will carry us
through two-and-a-half million light
years of intergalactic void.
Activating the onboard replay scanner,
we're able to compress time
and watch a stellar birth.
A nuclear heart is beginning to beat.
RADIO:25 minutes now to eight,
and I've got four big stars
on the programme today,
and first off is Libra.
And Librans are going to find...
They're going to find people
charming to chat to today,
and if you're a Libra,
you'll have no trouble in collecting
followers or admirers,
and I hope that
you're putting your street in
for our new contest...
WATER RUNS
..which is called Keep the Capital
Clean.
We're not really looking
for a complete face-lift,
just some indications that you care
about the street that you live in.
So why don't you enter?
And send your nomination
to Keep Britain Tidy...
You want tea?
Mm-hm.
..that's Box 194 in London,
here at Capital Radio.
And the Keep Britain Tidy people
at Capital Radio
are going to be doing the judging,
and the prize will be a street party
with Capital's DJs attending...
You always take so long.
It's not fair!
Blahdy-blahdy-blah!
I just need to wash and brush my teeth.
Kingsley, go away!
I'm telling Mum.
DOOR OPENS
Bathroom's free!
Finally!
LAUGHS
RADIO: To music, and Love Is The
Drug.
It's 21 minutes now before eight
o'clock,
and if you're going off to school,
and maybe you've got a few minutes
before you have to catch the bus,
well, hang on just a moment,
because what I'd like to know is,
of any special events
that's being organised
at your school this week
that may be open to members of the
public,
such as a school play
or maybe a sports event.
Now, if there is one at your school
and you know about it
and you'd like everybody else
to know about it, then call me
at Capital Radio right now,
and we may give you the chance
to tell London
what's going on at your school.
The number - 3881295. Call now.
HORN TOOTS ON RADIO
Call us now.
With the latest traffic news...
Eat breakfast.
No time. Bye!
All right, I'm going.
RADIO CONTINUES INDISTINCTLY
See you later, Dad!
See you.
I'm late!
Eat breakfast!
Morning.Morning.
There is a path through the willows
and among the sycamores,
a path beaten hard by boys
coming down from the highway
in the evening to jungle-up near water.
In front of the low horizontal limb
of a giant sycamore,
there is an ash pile made by many
fires.
The limb is worn smooth
by men who have sat on it.
Evening of a hot day started
the little winds
to moving among the leaves.
The shade climbed up the hills
towards the top.
On the sandbanks,
the rabbits sat as quietly
as little grey... scup... scuptured
stones.
Sculptured, not scuptured, Sajid.
..sculptured stones.
GIGGLING
You big blockhead, Kingsley.
PUPIL: Blockhead!
GIGGLING
It's page... page two.
Second paragraph down.
HALTINGLY And then...
PUPIL: Blockhead!
GIGGLING
And then...
And then fro...
Then...
...f-fro...f-fro...
And then... TEACHER: Samantha,
please continue.
And then from the direction
of the state highway
came the sound of footsteps
on crisp sycamore leaves.
The rabbits hurried noiselessly for
cover.
A stilted heron laboured up into the
air and pounded downriver.
For a moment, the place was lifeless.
SCHOOL BELL RINGS
So, guys, what do you want to do
when you grow up?
I don't know. What about you,
Kingsley?
I want to be an astronaut.
You can't have a black man in space!
Who told you that?
Calm down.
Lads, all right?
Yeah.Yeah.
I mean, I've got a lot of science
homework to do.
Ready?
One, two...
PIANO PLAYS
♪ London's burning ♪
♪ London's burning ♪
♪ Fetch the engines ♪
♪ Fetch the engines ♪
♪ Fire, fire! ♪
♪ Fire, fire! ♪
♪ Pour on water ♪
♪ Pour on water ♪
KINGSLEY: ♪ My dictionary ♪
♪ Will you suck my dictionary? ♪
I beg your pardon?
PIANO AND SINGING STOP ABRUPTLY
Repeat what you just said.
Go on, Smith, I dare you!
Nothing, Mr Hamley.
LAUGHS
You lying little bugger.
I heard what you just said,
and it's disgusting
and it's unacceptable, and it has no
place in this classroom!
Come with me!
Get out!
Go on, get out!
Right, continue.
From the top.
PIANO PLAYS
♪ London's burning ♪
♪ London's burning ♪
♪ Fetch the engines ♪
♪ Fetch the engines... ♪
SNORES GENTLY
ALARM CLOCK RINGS
KINGSLEY: Father God, thank you for
today. Thank you for blessing us.
Please send your angels to watch
over our bed, doors and windows.
Protect us and keep us safe.
Help us to have sweet dreams.
In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Dear God, I'm sorry I was naughty
today,
but if I'm a good boy, can I please
be an astronaut like Neil Armstrong,
and also play for Tottenham?
Amen.
GIRL: Dear God, thank you for today.
I thank you
that I got good marks in the test.
Please can you help me to keep
getting good marks so that I can get
into Chelsea School of Art?
Please, please, please!
Then I can work my way up
in the fashion world
and then I can go to Paris,
to one of the fashion houses,
like Yves Saint Laurent, and travel
the world looking for fabrics.
Then I can design my own range
and become world renowned
and rich and famous, but not arrogant.
And please can you bless Mummy and
Daddy and Kingsley, too?
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
SCHOOL BELL RINGS
SNORES SOFTLY
DOOR OPENS
Mrs Smith.
The headmaster is ready for you now.
Mrs Smith, I don't believe we've met.
Unfortunately, I've met you
a great many more times than I
should have, haven't I, young man?
I came as soon as was possible.
The lady on the phone
spoke of an emergency.
Now, I'm a fair man, Mrs Smith.
A Christian man.
I'm sure we can understand each
other on that account.
So, whilst we could make this
all about your son's behaviour,
the many complaints I receive
about his disruptive influence
on the classroom,
I'm pleased, instead,
to talk about second chances.
Mrs Smith, I can see that Kingsley
is not a bad child.
He's, er, a bit lively, perhaps.
But, you see, our school
participates in all manner of tests,
including intelligence tests.
Now, Kingsley's IQ results suggest
that his particular needs
are going to be better served
by a school specifically established
to meet his requirements.
A special school.
I don't want to go to a special school.
I'll work hard, Mummy, I promise.
Kingsley!
A special school is called special
for a very good reason.
Smaller classes.
More focused teaching.
What was this test you mentioned?
The IQ test is an intelligence test
designed...
Well, designed to test
the general intelligence
of, er, any age group
across the population.
Now, I'm afraid Kingsley, er...
Kingsley scored well below average.
My son sometimes doesn't get things
right the first time.
Can't he take the test again?
No, it doesn't work like that.
No, it's a one-off exam,
but adjudicated independently
so we know it's fair.
Now, it's in Kingsley's best
interest that he be
transferred to another school.
Fortunately, we can do this straight
away.
Who... Who decided this?
Can I speak to them?
I am the messenger of good news
here, Mrs Smith.
I shouldn't have to remind you of that.
Please...
take a look.
How's he supposed to get to Barnet
and back every day?
Nothing like that to worry about,
Mrs Smith, no.
A bus leaves
from outside the school here,
brings him back at the end of every
day.
This is a great opportunity for you,
young man.
I don't know what they call me
down here for!
Emergency for good news?
Don't make no sense.
You can't let them, Mum...
Don't even!
When are you going to grow up
and be more like your sister, hmm?
Nothing but a heap of trouble!
But it wasn't only me.
The teachers just pick on me.
Take this and go straight home.
I ain't got time for any of this.
I got to go to work.
It's true, Mummy.
Give me the ball, man!
Hello, Mrs Jones.
How are you doing today? OK?
I'll just check your pulse for you.
DOOR SLAMS Stephanie!
Why are you making so much noise?
You're going to wake Mummy.
Mummy's at work.
I've been kicked out of school.
What? Be quiet, Kingsley. That's not
funny. Mummy's sleeping.
Mummy's not here. She had to meet
the headmaster,
and it's really shit.
They're sending me to a stupid
school. Stop swearing in the house.
You're going to get us both
killed. I don't care!
Mummy's not here.
Oh, my God.
FOOTSTEPS RUN UP STAIRS
FOOTSTEPS RUN DOWN STAIRS
What's going on?
I'm trying to tell you.
They're sending me to a stupid school.
They gave me this.
Two kids from my school got sent
to a school like this.
What does it say?
What, you want me to read it for you?
I have read it. I want to hear it.
You don't fool me.
Erm. "There is a school in Durrants
catering for kids with special"
"educational needs," like not being
able to read, Kingsley,
"since 1922."
I don't have special needs.
I can read when I know the word.
It's a school for idiots, isn't it?
Hmm. There's a swimming pool.
I hate swimming.
Wait, wait, wait.
"After 60 years, suspicion and
ignorance has given way"
"to enlightenment"
"and acceptance that Durrants
is first and foremost a school."
What does that even mean?
First and foremost a school?
Why would you only put "school"
in capital letters?
FOOTSTEPS THUMP ON STAIRS
SIGHS
DOOR CLOSES
FOOTSTEPS
DOOR OPENS
Boy... Why you not in bed?
I'm tired, tired, tired,
and I have to work to my other job
just to put the shoes on your feet
and pay for this house!
I'm not doing this for you
to make a fool of me now.
SLAPS LAND Go to bed!
Go to bed!
DOOR SLAMS
FOOTSTEPS ON STAIRS
Nothing but a heap of trouble!
DOOR SLAMS
Fine.
SOBS
SOBS INTENSIFY
What do we have first, maths or
English?
Guess we'll be late to both.
BOTH LAUGH
SAJID: Hey, look who's here.
Kingsley, Kingsley, over here!
That's so unfair. You don't have to
wear a school uniform any more!
We're here to say good luck.
Shut up.
I mean it.
Yeah.
By the look of your new friends,
you're going to need it.
Young man, you going to Durrants?
Yeah.
SAJID AND JOSEPH: See you.
JOSEPH LAUGHS
Shut up.
See you.
CHILDREN CHAT AND LAUGH
Good morning, everyone, and welcome
to your new school, Durrants.
Is everyone excited?
My name's Mr Block,
and I'm in charge
of all you new pupils here,
and we'll be sending you
to your classrooms a bit later,
but now, and this is nothing
for you to worry about,
but we're going to start the day
with a few exercises
in order to understand you better.
That sound all right?
Let's start, then, shall we?
Hands up if you can tell me
what this says.
Woof.
Woof.
Woof.
Woof.
What does it say?
Meow.Ambulance.
Very good.
Ambulance.
Woof. Woof.
Ambulances take people to hospital
in an emergency.
Now, what about you, Kingsley?
Baa.
Can you tell me what this one
says? Baa. Baa. Baa.
Moo.
Do you know which letters they
are? Moo!
What is this first one?
Moo!
It says exit.
I wasn't asking you, Nina.
I was asking Kingsley.
What's this first letter here?
It says exit. I knew that.
But I want to know
what this first letter is now.
Meow.
Meow.
If you knew what it said,
why didn't you say?
Woof.
Woof.
I walked and walked,
and what did I see?
I saw John, and John saw me.
"Come and play," he said.
"Come and play with me."
I walked and walked, and what did I
see?
I saw Mother, and Mother saw me.
"Come home," she said.
"Come home with me."
PAGE TURNS
John said, "I like big trains."
"I like little trains."
SCHOOL BELL RINGS
Right, everyone.
That's lunch.
I'm starving.
Woof. Woof.
Woof. Woof.
Woof.
Woof. Woof.
Woof.
Yay!
CHILDREN LAUGH AND CHAT
WHISTLE
LAUGHTER AND CHATTER CEASES
I catch anyone climbing that fence,
there'll be hell to pay.
- Do you understand?
CHILDREN: Yes, miss.
When you hear a loud whistle like
this...
...you come back here. Got it?
CHILDREN: Yeah.
Get on with it, then.
CHILDREN CHEER
But what are we supposed to do?
Do what you want.
Go and swing from the trees
like you're back home in the jungle,
for all I care.
Just don't break any bones.
Kingsley!
Kingsley, we know you're in there.
I hope he's all right.
My brother says once you're in them
schools, that's it.
Your whole life's finished.
What are you talking about?
That you can't get a job, or nothing.
No-one ever takes you seriously,
cos they always know inside
that you're thick.
You can't get married, or nothing.
Who wants to get married? Shut up.
DRIVER: What are you lot still
hanging about for?
Get lost, the pair of you!
You heard, scram.
Scram yourself, you fat git.
You had to say it.
You had to say it.
All right, son, coast is clear.
Go on, off you get.
I want to go home.
They'll get bored soon enough.
On Friday, we didn't do anything all
day. Nothing.
The teacher came into the classroom
after assembly
for about ten seconds.
We just sat all morning doing nothing.
Well, come on, it can't be that bad.
What about the other children?
They make animal noises.
It's so boring.
Well, you used to say
your last school was boring.
Yeah, but this isn't even a school.
It's not a school if the teachers
don't teach you anything.
What are you two chatting about?
Why haven't you laid the table?
Kingsley, go upstairs
and finish tidying your room.
I tell you before.
Mummy...
..I'm really worried about
Kingsley's new school.
What you know about Kingsley's new
school?
What you should be worried about
is taking down the hem of that skirt
and making it the right length.
And before you go to bed tonight,
bring down that skirt, let me see it.
But I decided to do it on fashion.
You know, like my kind of fashion.
But they said I had to team up
with someone,
so I had to do it with Beverley,
even though she's not interested
in fashion design,
but she doesn't argue with me.
Fashion?
Kingsley, I'm arranging for you to
come with me on Thursday.
Meet Charlie.
I'm going to bring you over to him,
and he's going to teach you.
Why you twist up your face so?
Carpentry's a good trade.
Good money.
But, Daddy, don't you think
it's good to maybe stay in school
and go to college?
School is very important.
But it's Sunday, and we're at the
table.
Well, what do you think, Kingsley?
What do you think about Nathan
Matthews?
Who's Nathan Matthews?
What did I just say? I've had enough
of...
Stephie, go get the mauby from the
fridge.
CLEARS HER THROAT
CHILDREN SHOUT
Super bad!
DOOR BANGS
Hello! I'm sorry if I gave you a
shock.
I've been waiting here for five
minutes for someone to let me in.
Wait a minute, where are you off to?
I'm not a teacher.
Don't worry, I won't tell anyone if
you can help me.
What's your name?
Kingsley.
Kingsley, what's your surname?
Why?
I'm interested in names, I suppose.
But you are right to ask.
Shall we go back inside?
What school were you at before?
Bygate Hill.
I know it. That's a long way away.
Yeah, it's rubbish.
But I don't mind.
What's your name again?
Hazel Lewis.
Now, I better find the headmaster.
He isn't in today.
He wasn't in assembly either.
I see.
Can you help me find the staffroom?
BANGING AND SHOUTING
Where you been?
The toilet. Everybody shut up.
No, you didn't. I checked in the
toilet, and you weren't there.
Where is your teacher?
BANGING AND SHOUTING STOPS
He never comes to class no more.
Sometimes he does.
Only sometimes.
Dear, oh, dear.
I think everyone should sit back
down now, please.
Are you a teacher?
I was a teacher, yes.
Not here, but back home in British
Guiana, I was.
I'm a psychologist now.
Can anyone tell me what a
psychologist is?
I hate psychologists.
So do I.
SIGHS
I am disappointed.
What about teachers?
Do you hate them, too?
Yeah, they suck.
They're the worst.
And what is your name?
Nina Edmunds, miss.
Who are you?
Call me Hazel.
Do I know your mummy?
What's her name?
Jemima.
Jemima Edmunds.
Yes.
Are you black?
Of course I am.
She's definitely black.
Like I am and you are as well.
I'm not.
You are.
Nina...
..I can't speak for you...
..but I do know
that I am definitely black.
I am black and I love being black.
But first, I need to know...
I need everybody to tell me your names.
Your full names and your old schools
and...
And everybody's parents' names.
And, yes, Kingsley Smith, that too.
Suspiciously quiet in here.
What are you doing here? We've been
round the houses looking for you.
You were supposed to come
to the staffroom,
not speak to the bloody children.
Excuse me, Mr...?
That's Mr Baines.
Mr Baines.
Of course it is.
I was looking for the staffroom
when I found, instead, a room full
of unsupervised children.
Shall we go, then?
SUCKS TEETH
SHOUTING AND BANGING RESUMES
Kingsley?
What are you doing?
Ruff!
Excuse me?
Drawing.
Drawing what?
Drawing, Mummy.
You can watch television
until Stephanie come home.
I have to go.
MUSIC: Lazy Sunday
by Small Faces
KIDS SHOUT AND CHEER
SHOUTING CONTINUES
Mrs Smith? I'm sorry if I
disturbed you.
Do you remember me? Lydia Thomas.
Last time I saw you, I think,
was at my cousin's wedding
in Shepherd's Bush.
I'm sorry to keep you.
That's all right.
I don't have any biscuits.
Oh, biscuits don't last a minute
in my home.
I don't know if you remember...
..but I used to be involved
in politics.
I remember.
Yes, well, now, because of my
children, more than anything,
I've become more and more concerned
with matters educational.
I'm sorry to have to tell you
that some schools in London
are saying that
their academic standards
are being eroded
by the West Indian children
in their classes.
You see, the system
is already stacked against them.
I always tell my children
they have to work harder
to overcome such things.
Mm. But when the system is designed
to go against them,
sometimes it doesn't matter
how hard they try,
the system wants them to fail.
The organisation I work for
is trying to do something
about these extra challenges
that our children face.
That's very good for you, Mrs Thomas,
but I don't see
what that's got to do with me.
Oh, I beg your pardon.
Um, it's just that we understand
that your son Kingsley
now attends Durrants School.
How do you know that?
We've set up a small organisation
to try and find out
the names of the children
who've been sent to these schools.
Sometimes, some of us
go into the schools
to try and get this information,
Mrs Smith,
so that we can come
and speak directly to the parents.
Like my colleague, Hazel Lewis,
who met Kingsley.
Kingsley has settled in just fine.
I don't remember the last time
I hear him complain about school.
Well, that can be quite common
in Kingsley's age group,
especially under such
difficult circumstances...
Kingsley don't know about difficult.
He's a child. He's just at school.
But that's just it.
It's not a school.
Or at least not one
any of us would recognise...
..as this book by Bernard Coard,
a Grenadian,
will explain better than me.
The Inner London Education Authority
has a policy of targeting our children.
What is this all about?
Why are you here?
We are here to try and get Kingsley
back into the regular school system.
Now, you might be able to appeal...
This is what I am trying to tell you.
Kingsley do have some issue,
but it's a special school.
I don't mean to upset you, Agnes,
but there's nothing special
about his school.
I can take a look at this
after you've left,
but if you'll excuse me, Mrs Thomas,
I have to get ready for work.
Please know my intentions are not to...
Look, I'll leave this here for you
and also a note about a meeting
at the town hall
for parents of children sent
to educationally subnormal schools.
Educationally what?
That's what they're called, Agnes.
Schools for
the educationally subnormal.
If you'll excuse me, Mrs Thomas,
I'm running late.
We have a network of Saturday
schools all over the borough
which your son could attend.
I've written down my details.
Thank you.
DOOR SLAMS
HE PLAYS A CHORD
♪ There is a house in New Orleans ♪
♪ They call the Rising Sun ♪
♪ And it's been the ruin ♪
♪ Of many a poor boy ♪
♪ And, God, I know I'm one ♪
♪ Oh, mo... my mother was a tailor ♪
♪ She sewed my... ♪
♪ She sewed my new blue jeans ♪
♪ My father was a gambling man ♪
♪ Down in New Orleans ♪
♪ Now, the only thing a gambler needs ♪
♪ Is a suitcase and a trunk ♪
♪ And the only time he's satisfied ♪
♪ Is when he's all drunk ♪
♪ Now, Mother, tell your children ♪
♪ Not to do what I have done ♪
♪ Spend your lives in sin and misery ♪
♪ In the House of the Rising Sun ♪
♪ I got one foot on the platform ♪
♪ The other foot on the train ♪
♪ Cos I'm going back to New Orleans ♪
♪ To wear that ball and chain... ♪
STRUMMING STOPS
STRUMMING RESTARTS
♪ Well, there is a house ♪
♪ In New Orleans ♪
♪ They call the Rising Sun ♪
♪ And it's been the ruin ♪
♪ of many a poor boy ♪
♪ And, God, I know I'm one ♪
♪ There is a house in New Orleans ♪
♪ They call the Rising Sun ♪
♪ And it's been the ruin ♪
♪ of many a poor boy ♪
♪ And, God, I know I'm one. ♪
OK, who wrote that?
It's the Animals, boys and girls.
The Animals.
Kingsley.
Tell me what's really going on
at that school.
You learning anything? You like it?
Did you meet a woman called Hazel
at your school?
Did you meet her?
Yes, Mummy.
She's saying that the school
is not treating you children right.
Is that true?
Yes, Mummy.
You know what? I'll cook you
some roti tonight.
You like that?
Yes, Mummy.
TV: Recently, Roobarb was sitting
in the garden,
thinking how nice it was
not having Custard grinning
over the fence for once,
and the birds scratching noises
into the summer air
with their silly beaks,
and how nice it was
having nothing happening,
apart from wondering
what would happen next.
When it did...
HICCUP
"Oh," cringed Roobarb.
HICCUP
"One minute all's well, and the very
next minute all's..."
HICCUP
"There it is again."
HICCUP
"What are you rambling on about
now?" enquired Custard,
without even bothering
to look over the fence.
"Earthquakes..."
HICCUP
..announced Roobarb.
"That's what I'm rambling about.
"Earthquakes, and lots of them."
HICCUP
"Whatever you do, don't panic,"
shouted Roobarb
as he careered round the garden,
warning everyone about the dangers
of earthquakes,
and in the event of one, the
dangers of wearing damp socks...
HICCUP
..whatever that meant.
Custard dragged...
One of the ways in which the school
system thinks they can treat us
is that they genuinely believe
we are all a bunch of...
I don't know.
..cowhands.
They never assumed that the same
spread of intelligence,
professional careers,
white-collar jobs,
blue-collar jobs that you have in
this country,
we would have had where we came from.
I feel nothing but let down by
the system.
And not just the school system,
this whole...
..blasted country system!
MURMURS OF AGREEMENT
I came here with a dream for my family.
And I'm ashamed to admit it...
..but when my children bring
it home...
..I find myself hating them for it.
MURMURS OF AGREEMENT
My own children.
And that just make me hate this
place all the more.
I don't have no dream to pass on.
I feel the sacrifice that you have
made, Mrs Morrison.
But I have to believe that it is
never, ever too late for a child.
We know there are far too many
of our children trapped
in these schools for
the educationally subnormal.
I refuse to call them special.
Don't make me laugh!
They say our children are there
because they are too loud.
Too slow.
Too unmanageable.
Or too lively.
What a complete and utter nonsense!
Low expectations from primary
and secondary school teachers,
which I have seen with my own eyes
in regards to my own children,
are part of the problem.
But as the Doulton Report,
a confidential government paper
which has been leaked, proves,
there is a deeply rooted cultural bias
in these IQ tests.
As individuals,
we face an impossible battle,
but we have strength in numbers.
As a collective, we stand a chance,
so we need your help.
Without the support of the parents,
our campaign will fail.
I am the mother of three boys,
growing them up in London.
I was horrified to learn them
call my eldest,
who have a strong West Indian
accent, them call him
slow as a slowcoach
when him first arrive at the school.
MURMURS OF DISAPPROVAL
That what them call him.
Now, this boy could read and write
and do some basic arithmetic
when him three year old,
because I make sure him could.
If a teacher think a child's stupid,
him start to act stupid.
That a bare fact. I give up hope for
him, my eldest,
but I won't make it happen
to my other two.
Will give up my job if I have to.
So, tell me, what me can do for them.
Send them to one of our
supplementary Saturday schools.
That's the first thing you can do now.
And they are free for all your children
for a £1 membership fee.
I make no lie about this.
But I can't read nor write.
Not more than my name.
It's too late for me now,
but hear an old man out.
I am very concerned with these
educationally subnormal schools.
But I'm concerned more with the truth
that the majority of our youngsters
going to these so-called normal schools
are coming out achieving as little
as the children
going to these ESN schools.
Me grandchild, he just turned 16,
and I discovered the boy can't
read or write good.
Now, I did never go to school.
Not for a single day.
But this pickney spent
12 damn years in one!
That's why we're here today.
To bring awareness to this
and hear your voices and concerns.
We are here to solve this.
Our future depends on it.
MURMURS OF AGREEMENT
APPLAUSE
Next, we're taking names of people
that you know are at these ESN schools.
TV: The world will shrink for
a new...
Excuse me, we were watching that.
I want you to be quiet.
I need to talk to Kingsley.
Oh, what's he done now?
Stephanie, please!
He's done nothing wrong.
What's the matter, then, Mummy?
I just want to...
I just want to hear you read,
that's all.
We're watching TV.
Kingsley, read this for me.
Just read it.
That's all I'm asking you do.
We were in the middle of something,
Mummy. Can you not do it later?
Kingsley, read what it says.
Read it. Just leave him
alone, Mummy.
Excuse me?
No, not any more.
Kingsley, you're going to stay here
until you try, you understand me?
No more hiding. Not me, not you.
I won't hide in my own home!
Uh...
HE STUTTERS
Uh...
Uh...
HE SOBS
All right.
All right, baby.
SOBS INTENSIFY All right.
SOFTLY: All right, baby. OK.
Ssh...
OK, baby. All right.
All right. All right, baby.
All right, baby.
OK?
Hey, you all right?
You OK, baby?
FOOTSTEPS
Esmond... Mm.
We need to talk.
I'm doing some sleeping.
It's Kingsley. His school.
A lady come round the other day,
her name is Lydia Thomas.
You know her. From Grenville.
Mm.
She says she know all about
Kingsley's new school.
There's nothing special about
this school.
It's a school for children
they call subnormal.
What do you mean?
She left me a book
that explains all of that.
Kingsley is not stupid, Esmond,
but he cannot read.
The boy needs to learn a trade.
Let him alone till then.
I went to a meeting at the town hall
for children like Kingsley.
I said let him alone, woman.
Listen to me, Esmond!
They are failing our son.
The room was full of people...
SHOUTING: I said let
it alone, woman!
I won't let nothing alone!
Nothing!
SOFTLY: My boy. My...
SHE SIGHS
I want answers first,
before you take action.
Why did you send him there?
I'm very sorry, Mrs Smith...
Sorry? What are you sorry for?
Well, I'm sorry you've missed
the deadline for an appeal.
Deadline? You never told me we had
a right of appeal
in the first place. It's in your
son's interests.
Don't lie to me! You call yourself a
Christian man?
You never told me the school was for
the educationally subnormal nonsense.
It's an official term.
Official term?
Kingsley may have trouble reading,
but make no mistake, he's a darn
sight more intelligent than you.
This will not be the last time we meet,
let me tell you now!
Read me the thing.
I don't know if I trust this
fellow Coard.
Make all sort of noise back home.
Daddy...
...just listen, all right?
"The implications for a large number
of West Indian children"
"who get placed in ESN schools
and who can never escape"
"back to normal schools
are far reaching and permanent."
"As demonstrated above, the West
Indian child's educational level"
"on leaving school will be very low."
"He will be eligible, by reason of
his lack of qualifications"
"and his assessment as being ESN,"
"only for the jobs which really ESN
pupils are able to perform,"
"namely, simple, repetitive jobs
of a menial kind"
"which involve little use
of intelligence."
Well, Kingsley can come
and work with me.
Can learn him a trade and...
Daddy, Kingsley is very bright.
Just listen, all right?
"This is what he or she can look
forward to as a career."
"In turn, through getting his
poor wages, poor housing"
"and having no motivation
to better himself,"
"his children can look forward
to a similar educational experience"
"and similar career prospects."
Read me the rest.
Are you some sort of undercover spy?
LAUGHTER
I couldn't do what she does.
I think at Durrants
I was pretending to be a journalist
interested in the good work of
the school for a newspaper article.
I wanted to meet the headmaster
and trick him into giving me
the names of the students.
Unfortunately, he wasn't
so forthcoming.
But I was lucky to meet Kingsley,
who, I must say, I was very taken with.
He's very tenacious.
I have to say thank you.
To you both.
I am forever grateful.
I've read this book now,
cover to cover, at least twice,
because the first time I was
very upset.
But as I told Lydia, his old school
say I have no right of appeal left,
that too much time has passed,
but this book mentioned
that I now have to write
to the Secretary of State for
Education, or something?
That's correct, yes.
A woman named Margaret Thatcher.
She's only just been appointed,
so maybe we will have a chance.
I have to write to the Secretary
of State. Goodness me.
We will advise you what to write.
I must say, Mrs Smith, I wish
more parents were like you.
If we do nothing, nothing will change.
I am prepared to fight this
with every breath in my body.
School on a weekend is so unfair.
Yeah, life is unfair.
Good morning.
Morning! Hi, this is
my brother, Kingsley.
Hello, Kingsley. You're just in
time for breakfast.
Mm! Go on, then.
Mwah. See you later.
Ah, what about you, big sister?
What's your name?
Stephanie. So, you don't want to
come in?
Oh, no, I don't... You don't want to
learn about Claudia Jones?
Who's Claudia Jones?
I don't believe you.
It is for young people like you
why we have our black
history discussion group.
Come and have some breakfast, man.
Come in. You can leave any time.
Right, I am Mrs Bartholomew,
but you can call me Tabitha.
Now, I can promise you both
you have never been to a school
anything like mine.
60!72!
84!96!
108!120!
132!144!
It's a draw!
SHE LAUGHS
You're both excellent at your times
tables. Good for you.
I know my 13s. Do you know 13s?
Yes. 13!26.
36... No, 39.
Huh, I win.
39, 52, 65.
But times tables only goes up to 12.
Isn't it, Mrs Bartholomew?
No, it don't. It goes all the way up
to 20.
Actually, Baz... Thank you.
..it goes up and up and up
and just keeps going
until only the finest brains in
the land can keep up.
Like a rocket out of our solar system.
All the way to infinity?
Now, there's a clever young man, Hey?
To infinity.
Imagine that.
I'm very impressed, Kingsley.
And, Ashley, the school syllabus
only goes up to 12,
which is what we concentrate on here
so that you can do well in school
and come out with the best grades
you can.
Right, before we start,
I have three sausages left.
Who's still hungry? Uh-uh.
I'll have to get more
sausages next week.
Now, if I cut them in half,
how many will that make?
Six! Good. Into quarters?
12?Correct!
But who wants a quarter of a sausage?
THEY LAUGH
I don't think so.
Is everybody ready?
CHILDREN: Yes.Good.
Well, I want to start with a little
story before we begin.
Now, I went to school in Grenada,
but I didn't learn very much about
Africa or its history.
What do you all know about
our ancestors?
Yes?
That we were slaves.
MRS BARTHOLOMEW CHUCKLES
That is what they want us to know.
Did they teach you anything else?
What about the Nubians?
The Maasai?
The Kingdom of Kush?
Mn-mn.
So you know nothing about the people
or the richness of the cultures
or the fact that we existed
long before anybody else.
SHE CHUCKLES
Well...
..this is where we begin.
Stephanie, read for me, please.
Open your book.
"Queen Amina of Zaria."
"Amina lived over 400 years ago
in a place called Zaria,"
"which we now know as Nigeria."
Mm-hm!
"Although she was a princess,
she was brought up to be a warrior"
"because her tribe were always at
war with their neighbours."
"She was born in the 16th century
and her parents were king and queen."
"She had brothers
and a younger sister, Zaria."
"Amina was the favourite child
of their grandfather,"
"who was a very wise and powerful king,"
"and when she was little,
he would talk to her"
"about how to be a strong
military leader."
"Sh-She never ex..."
"...expected to be queen,"
"but her... older brother"
"died un..."
"...une..."
"- ...une...
WHISPERS: Unexpectedly."
"...unexpectedly,
and so she became queen"
"and had to lead her tribe into war..."
"..a war which la..."
"..lasted nearly 35 years..."
"..and during which..."
"..stories about this wonderf..."
"..won... wonderful girl,"
"who was a leader of men,
were told far and wide."
"All the young men
in the surrounding tribes"
"wanted to marry her,"
"but she turned them
and all their fine offers"
"of wedding gifts down,
as she did not need them."
"Amina built walls around
the territories."
GENTLE LAUGHTER
"She owned a map of Ancient Africa."
"1685. These walls,"
"which were intended to protect all
that she won in battle -"
"territories, places and people -
were made of earth,"
"and it took slaves many years
to build them."
"Some of these walls still survive..."
"..in modern-days Nigeria
are known as Amina's Walls."
"They are a lasting legacy
of a queen who was feared."