Waterloo Road (2023–…): Season 1, Episode 1 - Episode #11.1 - full transcript
♪ I remember the sickness
was forever
♪ I remember snuff videos
♪ Cold Septembers, the distances
we covered
♪ The fist fights on the beach
♪ The bizzies round us up
♪ Do it all again next week
♪ And the boy who kicked
Tom's head in
♪ Still bugs me now
♪ That's the thing, it lingers
♪ And claws you when you're down...
♪ I was far too scared to hit him
♪ But I would hit him in
a heartbeat now
♪ That's the thing with anger
♪ It begs to stick around
♪ So it can fleece you
of your beauty
♪ And leave you spent... ♪
Hey! Come on!
Big day today.
Dad, I'm scared.
Come here.
What are you like, hey?
Who isn't on their first
day of a new school?
Hmm? It's all part of
the adventure, innit?
Now, me, you should've seen me.
I gave it all the swagger.
Proper Mr Big Pants.
Invincible.
But I was wetting my keks just like
everyone else.
But you know what?
Them were some of the best days
of my life.
You know, maybe I wasn't that good
at some of it.
You know, the lessons, the homework,
exams.
Maybe I locked horns with a couple
of teachers now and then, too.
But some of them I won't forget.
What if I just don't make
any friends?
Izz!
Come on, of course you will.
Loads of 'em.
And look, if it takes a bit of time
to get to know someone,
it's likely because they're
interesting.
All right? So just be patient.
Cos your mates from school
are your mates for life.
And sometimes you even end up
marrying 'em.
Your mum was the best thing that
ever happened to me at school,
and if I would've bottled school
on day one,
I never would've met her.
And you and your brother
wouldn't even be here.
And we wouldn't be having this
conversation, all right?
Hey!
You got this, Izz. All right?
It's your turn now.
And look, I'm not ashamed
to admit it.
I'm jealous.
Because if I could do it
all over again,
I would do.
But this time I'd have
twice as much fun.
Clip board. Can we have a little
less phone action
and a bit more stairs action,
please?
How the hell did that get there?
Welcome back.
I told the LEA the students are
not backing down on this.
Don't blame them, really.
Right, I should be back before
the pupils arrive.
If not, tell Joe and Linden
to hold the fort.
I need to speak to the LEA before
this gets any worse.
Nate, Nate, Nate! You are
not Ronaldo!
Keep walking!
What do you know about football?
Go down the ramp and not the steps,
yeah?
Oh, careful, guys, sorry.
Morning. Morning.
Morning, sir. Morning. Morning.
Hey, did you pick your IT sheets
off the bench?
No.
What do you mean?
I'm not bailing you out
of detention again.
Oi, oi, oi! Where are you going?
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey! Come here.
All right. Have you got...?
You've got toothpaste
all over your mouth.
Give me your...
Morning.
Morning, Joe.
Woo!
Is it my birthday? JOE LAUGHS
Have you been to the gym?
Er, I spilt some coffee down
my shirt on the way in.
Oh, you're joking?
When you've finished flashing
your pecs,
you might want to get down
to the main entrance.
Kim's off site
and it's all kicking off.
Go team!
Erica? Really, Kim? Not now.
Erica, I have got graffiti
on the front entrance
calling the school racist
in big red letters.
Oh, God.
Look, we've got to bite the bullet!
We've got to get the name changed!
I am well aware of your feelings,
Kim.
Well, for me, the kids are bang-on
the money.
Whose money?
That's one of the issues.
Not every parent wants to waste
limited funds on a rebrand
when we're already stretched
so thin.
It wouldn't be a waste!
The Principal is relevant,
I know that.
But I have to measure it against the
cost of books, resources, uniforms.
William Beswick isn't the only
school I have to consider.
No, no, but it's the only school
that I have to consider.
And believe me, graffiti is the tip
of the iceberg.
Listen up. We've only got one
chance to do this.
This is our school and we need
to make them listen.
How many of you has been ignored?
How many of you feel like you
deserve better?
This is our school. Take a look
around and what do you see?
A building. History that doesn't
even reflect who we are.
Sir, we're not moving until we're
taking that down. Do you hear?
You've made your point.
No, we haven't made our point.
Cos we've tried and tried and you
ain't listening to us.
Yeah.
Right, come on.
Get inside, kids.
Don't even think about it.
Not my school!
My mum's going to kill me!
For standing up to slavery?
Come on, get it off.
Built on blood!
Not my school!
Put your blazers over there
when you come in, all right?
Sir, we won't back down until that's
taken down, do you hear me?
This is not the way.
Go on, take it off, then, Weever.
Nah, I'm not taking off my uniform
for no snowflakes.
What do you mean? Why are you trying
to be a big man?
Not our school!
Not our school!
Come on, check this out.
What's with the paint?
It's the blood of slaves, innit?
We didn't agree to this!
Vandalism isn't the answer.
Our uniforms, our property.
It's our right to protest.
This is cancel culture.
Some cultures need cancelling.
It's history, man.
You're history, man.
Yeah, all right.
Hey, hey! All right, all right.
The school wasn't informed
of any demonstration.
It's spontaneous.
Paint wasn't part of the original
plan, though.
A spontaneous plan?
You can look up oxymoron
in detention.
Nah, Mr King just called you
a moron, Samia.
INDISTINCT SHOUTING
Yo, come on!
You look smoking, babe.
I was going for professional.
That's what I said, isn't it?
Come on, what's going on here?
One more minute and
I'm taking names!
Not our school!
Kai, man. What you doing?
I know.
We said no uniforms.
I must've forgot.
Or did I?
MUSIC: Like That by Kullah
Bye-bye, Billy bag.
Those clothes cost money.
Yeah. Yeah, just save it
for drama class, Kai.
I see you, Dean Weever!
Both of you, get down now!
PHONE PINGS
Not our school!
Built on blood!
Not our school!
Built on blood!
Not our school!
Built on blood!
Not our school!
Built on blood!
I knew I should've walked.
Yeah, well, you're both going
to have to walk
if I'm going to get to this job
on time. Yeah.
Go on. Hey, and Izz, make me proud,
all right?
Go on. You go ahead.
Sure? Go, go.
Pack it in!
SHOUTING
Pack! It! In!
What the hell!
What the hell? Was that you?
I... I was trying to stop it
hitting that kid.
Oh, don't give me that. What's your
name and what year are you in?
I'm not a pupil. Oi!
Unbelievable.
Unbelievable.
I don't believe this.
CAR HORN BLARES
I can hear you!
At the same time, we've been seeing
large areas of cloud moving in
from across the Atlantic
as a weather front
approaches our shores.
There is a high chance of seeing
some heavy outbreaks...
Shut up.
I said shut up!
INDISTINCT SPEECH Oh, my God.
Oh, my God.
Mum?
I am so sorry!
Are you OK?
The car behind me hit me
and I didn't see her.
Oh, right. Come on, let's get
you inside.
Is this your mum? OK.
Right, what have you hurt?
Just my arm.
Your arm? Yeah.
What were you doing? You hit me!
It was an accident. An accident.
A paint bomb hit my windscreen
and I couldn't see a thing.
It wasn't my fault!
CHILDREN LAUGH
All of you, get back now.
Enough is enough.
Right now.
Everyone, that is enough.
Get back right now!
Get back now! Stop!
OK, this is not the way.
Right, I hope you're all a dab hand
with a cleaning brush
cos you're all...
Joe! Joe, get the gate closed.
I need the gate closed.
Stop throwing paint!
This is not the way to get things
done. Pupils into school now.
There's traffic backing
up on the road, Kim.
Apparently there's been some kind of
shunt as well. What?
I know.
All right, that's it.
Call the police.
Samia!
What's going on?
It's what we told you.
If the council didn't change
the name,
then we'd have to make 'em.
I was dealing with it!
I was dealing with it! And this!
This has just messed everything up!
Well, we're not going inside until
you actually listen to us.
OK, so the police have now
been called, all right?
If everyone doesn't get back
into the school,
then I will shut the school...
..and I will make sure that
everybody is arrested!
Samia.
Not our school!
Built on blood!
Not our school!
Samia, stop it now.
Built on blood!
Not our school!
All right, everyone.
We've made our point now.
Let's call it a day, yeah?
You what?
Inside! Get inside. Come on.
Into the school.
Please, come on.
I'm starving. Let's go.
Come inside, everyone!
No, Kelly Jo, come on.
Kelly Jo.
Get off me!
They've called the police.
DOG BARKS
Might be broken.
Oh, I'll be all right.
You should get an X-ray.
I think it'll be fine.
Can you show the new Year Sevens
where to go?
Thank you.
Have a good day.
SIRENS BLARE
Chlo?
Miss, I've got paint on my jumper.
Oh, take yourself inside.
Get washed up. Welcome to
the school.
Lockdown, all is forgiven.
Morning, Neil.
SCHOOL BELL RINGS
If you've got paint on you,
wash off what you can
and change into your PE kits.
I heard somebody got hurt.
Hit by a shunted car.
OK, so Kim's with the police.
I suggest we delay the staff
meeting, skip assembly
and use first period for
orientation, OK?
Yeah. We're clear? Good.
Oh, what now? A dirty protest?
That's dog muck. Someone's trodden
it through.
I'll get Rolph.
Look at the state of this.
How could you? Hey?
After what I've spent
on these blazers.
We said we wouldn't wear 'em.
Yeah, well, they're ruined now,
aren't they, Tonia?
I don't know why you're so stressed,
Auntie Nicky.
Listen, my sister might've bought
second hand, Kelly Jo,
but I wanted your cousins to
look smart, thank you.
Get down off there.
We were making a point, Mum.
Make your point when it's you
that's footing the bill.
Excuse me, get them off there.
I've got to serve food off there.
It's a total nightmare, Pres.
Oh, don't tell me they dragged
you into it and all?
No, she's the one who started it.
I didn't want this.
This was supposed to be
a peaceful protest.
Now look at us. We're just going
to get into trouble.
Come here, love. It's all right.
Come on. Don't cry.
You lot. Honestly.
Stop, turn round and find a skip
for that.
Disgusting! Oh, sir!
That is minging.
They smell like you.
Hey, how do you use this...?
Get off there, Kelly Jo!
Hey, Dad.
Looks like someone got
lost in the hallway.
I didn't get lost. It was Mum that
said we should meet you in here.
I just thought you might want to
know that your daughter arrived
safely on her first day. We were
both rather expecting you
to drive her in.
I could've walked.
Sorry, I had to leave early.
Yeah, I gather there's been
some trouble.
And we missed all of it.
Just as well your dad was here
early to sort it all out.
Let's go and find your
form room, hey?
See you later.
So you're just here to score points?
You're the one that didn't
come home last night.
You're making a mountain
out of nothing.
Getting tricked into accepting
charity is not nothing.
OK? I told you, we get a bigger
house when WE can afford it,
not your dad.
I knew you'd be pig-headed
about this.
Yeah, but you just went ahead and
did whatever you wanted to do.
Hannah, hi. Hi, Kim.
What a nightmare start to the term
for you.
Er, yeah - day one in the
Big Brother House, right?
Hannah was just leaving. Oh, OK.
Yeah, I'll see you at home, darling.
Unless there's another riot.
OK, emergency SMT meeting as soon
as Joe comes in,
and maybe someone can explain to me
how I leave for ten minutes
and I come back to a war zone.
Izzy, are you OK? Yeah. Yeah?
Good.
Er, I can pull the nurse in early
if need be?
I thought you were the nurse?
Miss Spratt is a teacher, Izzy.
I'm newly qualified, but I am
St Johns Ambulance trained.
I'm pretty sure it's not broken,
but I would prefer it if you
got it X-rayed.
It'll be fine.
And where did you bang your head?
It's my daughter that I'm more
worried about.
Oh, we are as shocked as you are,
but the police have dealt
with the troublemakers
and I can assure you we will taking
every precaution.
Mm.
Right, new pupil induction
on the main landing.
Can you? Oh, yeah.
Come on, let's find out where
you're supposed to be.
Come here, love. Come here.
Be good.
Er, I'd like to keep you here
if that, that's OK?
It's just so the police can ask
you a few questions.
Are you serious?
Sergeant Rutherford's a nice guy.
We know him here.
What about my pitch?
Er, pitch?
The parents skills initiative.
The newsletter said to come
in today.
Oh, I think you've misunderstood.
Largely, it was a couple
of local idiots.
The injured parent's
in the medical room.
Thank you.
This is exactly what I feared
would happen.
I told the LEA, but they're
not listening.
We came this close to closing.
Kim, the LEA need to make
a decision.
They've already made a decision -
weather the storm
and continue educating.
And how well do you think that's
going on day one, Linden?
Well, if we started a behaviour unit
like I suggested
instead of getting caught up
in politics,
then maybe we might've
got somewhere. Whoa!
Most of the kids out there just
wanted to be heard.
And the ones like Dean Weever
should've been an on-site
behaviour review.
OK, bottom line is, we let morale
get any lower,
we won't even have a school,
let alone a behavioural unit.
So...
What do we do now?
Spliff, anyone? Mm.
Terrible joke. Sorry.
I've got to wear this stupid
rugby top all day.
I'm not done getting ready.
All right, it's not a fashion show.
You can't rush a masterpiece.
Oh! You look like a crime scene,
mate!
Has anyone got a pair of scissors?
I've got nail clippers.
That might work.
Maybe try the art department.
Yeah, that might work. Mm-hm.
See you.
Hey, that's my sister's!
No, not any more.
It's mine now, babes.
Hey, Caz, wait up!
DOG WHIMPERS
Zip up, kids. You're busted.
Whoa!
Who's that?
Oi!
Stop now!
Ow!
Get off!
Look, I need you to stop resisting.
Get off me!
I need you to stop resisting arrest.
I will have to handcuff you, sir.
All right.
Watch out. What's going on?
Right, everybody, stand back.
Mike, what you doing?
He's been caught trespassing
in the school.
You all right, Danny?
Danny Lewis?
Is he a pupil? Are you OK?
I used to be.
Right, everyone, inside now.
Come on.
Danny, are you all right?
Don't...
Come on.
Danny, come on.
So that's history and humanities,
and that's ICT.
Sorry, where's maths again?
I'll show you. My dad's deputy head
so I've had a tour
quite a few times.
You're Mr King's kid?
Yeah, he can be uptight.
What the hell are you doing?
What is this?
He does seem a bit stressed.
Put it this way, he kicks off
if I smudge my handwriting.
This is not your house, Weever.
This is not the kind of thing
we want in this school.
You've got an F for art.
I'll let her know. OK, thank you.
Thank you.
Could you just maybe get her
off the furniture?
So, what's her name?
Angel. Hi, Angel.
He's been camping out in the boiler
room for a few weeks,
maybe even longer.
OK, do you know what, I think
we can take it from here.
Home contact.
I don't want to speak to my mum.
Danny, let's just...
This is Jamilah Omar.
She's our Social Worker.
Hiya, Danny.
Danny, why don't we go down
to pastoral care, right?
We can have a chat in private.
You can leave your stuff here, safe.
Yeah?
Can I...? Yeah, thanks.
Back to class.
Is there a reason you don't want us
to call your mum? No point.
I only stayed cos of my nan.
How long have been sleeping rough,
Danny?
Before here, or did you stay
with someone else?
Oh, look, can I go now or what?
Sit down.
Where are you going to go, Danny?
You can't stay here.
Look, I never stole nothing
or broke anything.
Look, I mean, I even cleaned
the shower when I were done.
Right, well, I'm going to leave you
to talk to Jamilah, right? Calmly.
Will you find me when you're done?
Yeah?
DOOR BANGS
You must've been very lonely.
First, we're greeted
with gang warfare,
and now we've got some hobo
creeping around.
Hobo? He's a kid, Neil.
Two years ago he was this high.
Yeah, OK, but if Danny Lewis left,
what the hell's he doing
camping out?
Danny didn't leave.
He fell through the net - Covid,
lockdown, family chaos.
I remember Danny. Quiet boy.
Perhaps he could quietly clean up
after his dog.
Well, it wouldn't be an issue if the
school security was adequate.
I mean, seriously, Kim.
Neil, it's on the list.
Along with this morning's debacle.
I mean, I don't even know why
we got to this point.
Seriously, Neil?
Look, the conversation should be
about historical context,
not cancel culture.
And you won't find a Jimmy Savile
secondary school
on my bus route.
Hiya, sorry. I'm still trying
to find my way around.
Amy Spratt, our new ECT for Drama
and for English.
Coral Walker, your Head
of Department.
Er, I think we've already met.
You're my new ECT?
Mm, and a bit of a heroine when it
was all kicking off out there.
Ah!
Welcome.
I heard some lad got
tackled by the feds.
I thought Danny Lewis
left in Year Ten?
OK, anyone not supposed to be here,
get to your class.
That means you, Preston.
Oh, gutted!
Bye!
In your own time.
See you later, then.
Excuse me.
I want anyone involved in
this morning's fiasco
to come forward voluntarily.
If they don't, CCTV will be checked
and anyone found to be involved
will face tougher punishment.
This morning ended up with a woman
being knocked over by a car.
So it's better for anyone involved
to own up rather than force me
to come after them.
OK, thank you.
Thank you, Miss Campbell.
Open your books.
Are you OK, hon? Mm.
It's just that Danny lad.
I overreacted.
I didn't know it was a pupil.
Oh, least of his problems right now.
Well, I finish at five, so I'll do
tea for the boys, yeah?
Right, yeah, yeah. Listen, drive
safe.
I really need to see Miss Campbell.
Can you just please let me
see her, cos...
Excuse me, sorry to interrupt,
Mr Casey.
I was there when you took a tumble.
Is everything OK?
Oh, yeah, just a sore wrist.
Sore wrist?
Well, that is such a relief. Mm.
Right, let's get you that cab,
shall we?
I know. It's completely my fault.
I got the wrong date.
I'm really, really sorry but I just
wanted to see her
because I have worked on it and
I thought it said today.
Yeah, but is it actually due
today or tomorrow?
He looks like he needs a wash.
He doesn't smell, though.
He's actually got deodorant.
Wait, you sniffed him?
Shut up. I feel bad.
Me and Danny were best mates
growing up.
He came to my 12th birthday party.
Oh, bless!
Was it pirates?
No, no, no, superheroes? Mm-hm.
Karaoke all day.
Danny clashed with his mum's
boyfriend, apparently.
Lockdown obviously heightened
tensions.
Yeah, I can imagine.
Then the grandmother died. Covid.
And things just broke down
altogether.
I mean, he's got an aunt in Leeds,
but they didn't want him
because of the virus.
So he's sofa surfed until he's ended
up on the streets.
Well, that's the gist anyway.
I mean, he's not exactly talkative.
He was going to leg it earlier,
but then everything kicked off
outside.
So this is his sanctuary?
I've managed to get him to agree
to mediation with the mother
if I can arrange it.
OK, well, in the meantime, we'll see
what we can do our end.
Yeah. All right, brilliant.
Thank you.
Mrs Charles is the parent that was
hurt in the fracas.
I've called her a cab.
I know Chlo. Come here.
Oh, wow!
I'm so sorry.
Are you all right?
Oh, I'm fine. I'm fine.
Yeah?
God, you thought we were lively?
Yeah, trust me, it will not
be happening again.
Izzy's in safe hands so don't worry.
Is the school's name changing
or what?
Er, nothing's set in stone.
Well, yeah, not any more. Last I saw
they were taking him off a wall.
Look, anyway, just seeing as
I'm here,
do you mind if I tell you about this
project I was going to pitch you?
Oh, Chlo, do you know what?
Now is not a good time.
Kim, look, I've taken a day
off work for this
and all I've got is
a sprained wrist.
All right, go on. Go for it.
Oh, right. OK.
So Izzy's brother, Tommy, he's six
and he's got ADD.
But before he was diagnosed, he was
running rings around us all.
The long and short is therapy
animals really, really helped
and they've got them in prisons,
care homes, hospitals.
Do you know what? That is actually
really interesting.
Right, let's talk about it
another time.
Kim, please read this.
Cos I'm dead passionate
about this project.
You've not changed a bit.
All right, I'll be two minutes.
Do you know where the toilets are?
They're in that door and then down
the corridor,
but I'm going there anyway
so I'll just take you.
How is your first day going, anyway?
Yeah, all right.
It's hard being a new girl
in Year Nine, though.
I feel like a proper loser.
We should've just never moved
in the first place.
So have your parents split up
or what?
No.
They're like Romeo and Juliet.
Just moved house, that's all.
Oh, so you're one of the
lucky ones, then?
Are your parents divorced?
No.
Well, not yet anyway.
Kim! Sorry, I can't get an answer
on Danny's mum.
It might be an old number so I'm
going to go down there myself.
OK, good.
In the meantime, Danny,
do you want to go
and get yourself some food
from the canteen?
Yeah, and Wendy won't mind looking
after Angel, will you?
Erica Thorn's called.
She's coming in about the riot.
Oh, for God's sake. Come on.
Come on now.
So are you really turning up to
Campbell's arse kicking?
Yeah, I am. And so are you.
Kelly!
Is it me, or is Danny Lewis
looking hot?
Check her out. She used to be a
beautician before Covid.
If you want any botox or fillers.
And that's her son, Preston.
He's, like, totally fit,
and he's an athlete.
Everyone fancies him.
How do you know?
I told you, my dad's a teacher.
I know lots. Like, Mr Guthrie,
history teacher.
His wife's dead but he's, like,
totally in denial.
And Miss Walker - well, she's just
a nut job.
OCD, to be fair, but still,
she's a total clean freak.
What? Your dad told you all that?
No, duh. I listen in.
Oh, here she is.
Oh, good to see a smile
on your face.
Honestly, Campbell needs
to get a grip.
This school's going right down
the plughole. Thanks.
I'm not trying to be tight
or anything
but I am going to sit with him.
It's his first day.
You said you were sitting with me.
I feel bad.
I'll see you a bit, all right?
Morning. See you in a bit.
Whatever.
You got buff, bro.
You've changed some yourself.
Yeah.
I've evolved.
So, what? Are you, like,
he, she or they now?
Baby, I'm all he.
Just not your flavour.
Homeless, man.
Life gets in the way, innit.
So what you going to do now?
I don't know.
Things are complicated at home.
Listen, I get it.
My family are on my back 24/7.
They do not stop.
But they'll let you come to school
dressed like My Little Pony?
All right, Frankenstein.
♪ I know that you wanna
have some fun...
You're done. Yeah? OK, thank you!
See you later!
♪ Baby, you are hotter than the sun
♪ Just like bubble gum. ♪
So you thought your new ECT
was a sixth former?
Well, wouldn't you?
I mean, yeah, absolutely.
Have you seen what she's wearing
on her first day at school?
Come on now.
Let's play nice.
It's hardly professional, is it?
Oh, are you being serious?
Yes!
Oh, my God. Get a room.
Whatever. Shut up.
Danny!
I know. Yeah, man.
Knackered.
Oh!
Is that Miss Walker?
Oh, yeah, don't look directly
in the eyes.
Your knob will fall off.
Supposed to have her for English...
You were spared, bro. Spared.
So how long have Preston and Sami
been together, then?
I don't know. About a year
or something.
The golden couple.
We bask in their light.
Ha, funny.
All right, Danny, let's see what
you're made of. Oh, not this.
Ooh!
Yeah, all right, don't make it
a big deal, yeah?
Nice one. I'll see you.
Danny?
Can we have a word?
Poor kid.
Like life hasn't been crap enough,
and then he gets rugby
tackled by the police.
Well, to be fair, he was
running away.
Do you think the police
would've done that
to a scrawny white kid?
Honestly, Val, I feel like I can't
say anything
without being accused of some sort
of white privilege.
And you think I'm not tired
of saying it?
We've all got fatigue, Coral.
They were evicted four months ago.
The landlord doesn't know where
they went. And she didn't
leave a number or a note
or anything?
It's hurtful and a big shock.
I can see that.
But we'll keep looking for your mum.
What's the point?
She doesn't want to see me and...
..I don't want to see her.
What I'm going to do, Danny, is find
you some temporary accommodation.
I can look after myself.
Yeah, I'm sure you can,
but you need somewhere safe to stay
until we can assess your needs.
Does that sound like a plan?
Right, sit up and listen.
You have no idea the position
that you have put us into.
This school and yourselves.
We campaigned for a whole year
and nothing's changed.
So you thought you'd organise
a riot to sort it?
The red paint was my idea, OK?
It was supposed to be symbolic.
I didn't know cretins like him
were going to abuse it.
No, don't even try it, lads.
I saw you hurling projectiles
at pupils.
We threw the paint to be symbolic.
You don't even know what
symbolic means!
Neither do you!
All right, that's enough!
Enough. Enough.
Dean, do you think hurting people
is funny?
No.
Nah, it depends on the situation,
innit?
Like, if it's just a wallop
in the goolies.
There's something properly
wrong with you.
No, are you lads going to pay for
the damage to school property?
Or to people's clothes,
or to Caz's hair?
Miss, I'm not even bothered
about my hair.
What I'm bothered about is the fact
we've got a white supremacist
name on our blazers.
That is not OK.
And I understand your frustrations.
But taking matters into
your own hands,
like you did this morning,
not only undermines your position
but it also makes things worse.
What happened this morning was
really, really dangerous,
and if anybody was seriously hurt,
some of you here might've been
facing some criminal charges.
Look, nobody listened to us,
Miss Campbell.
What would you have done
in our place?
When I was at school... Oh...
GROANING
When I was at school,
challenging the William Beswicks
of the world
was not even an option.
Excuse me. Thank you.
Oh, Miss Campbell! Listen, I've been
hearing all sorts
about new uniforms. Er, nothing's
been settled on yet, Nicky.
Well, obviously not.
That's why I'm asking you.
Us parents need to know if we're
going to have to fork out. OK.
Yeah, I understand. And I'm sorry
for the lack of clarity.
It's just there's certain procedures
I have to go through
before I can make any definitive
answer. Procedure?
So that's a yes, then, isn't it,
if you're talking procedures?
Why do you not just say?
Or are you worried you're going to
have another riot on your hands?
Do you know what, Nicky?
I get that you're a parent,
but you are also a school employee
and I'm your boss.
I am not your enemy.
I've got to see the bigger picture.
So, please, just bear with me.
Well, it could've been worse.
How?
We've absolutely blown it, Shola,
and we made ourselves look
proper bad,
all because you brought in some
stupid red paint.
Well, it wasn't me lobbing it all
over the place, was it?
Nah, that was them two morons,
right there.
Oi, you!
You're an actual minger, mate.
HE BLOWS A RASPBERRY
That's minging.
Oh, my God, you're an actual pig.
You're an actual pig!
THEY SNORT
Yous are actually disgusting.
Chlo?
I said, "Do not come home."
Let me see. Let me see.
Oh, come on, babe.
That's not nothing.
No, it is. Just a bruise.
You've just been hit by a car!
I fell on my arse, actually,
and I was more upset about my pitch
going belly up.
Right, I'm calling Kim Campbell.
No, no. Don't you dare.
Look, I'm glad that it happened.
It's given me an even better idea.
What? It came to me while
I was waiting
for them to fix me wrist.
There was this new teacher,
her first day.
Amy, right? She's dead young,
she's dead on it.
Not like how it was back in the day.
It just got me thinking, like,
why not me?
What are you saying? You want to be
a teacher now?
No, a teaching assistant.
It's what I've been
reaching for, Don,
except it's better because I can
do more than just animal therapy
and I'd be part of something.
Oh, look at you.
You're buzzing.
Yeah, do you know what?
I'm actually glad that you came home
cos it means that it's just the two
of us and I can blab
and I don't take anything
from Izzy's big day.
Yeah, just wait a minute.
Rewind. Did you just say,
just the two of us?
Meaning, what?
That there is no-one else here?
Just me and the wife being
all vulnerable,
cute and excited.
You are a bad man. Yes.
Yes, I am, Mrs Charles.
And I think I may need punishing
upstairs.
You are not going anywhere with
those filthy boots on.
Oh, come on! Hey, come here, you.
Oi, wait!
Right, I'm Miss Spratt.
And there's nothing you can say
that I haven't heard before,
so knock yourselves out.
Can I see your tattoo, Miss?
Maybe. After you've done some work.
Did it hurt? Er, yeah, a bit.
But enough about my...
You've got one on your back and all.
My nan calls them slag badges.
My uncle's got a tattoo on his back.
Yeah, but he's a bloke.
Sexist. Blokes can be slags, too.
OK, before I get onto the origins
of the word slag
and its current use as
a pejorative -
which is posh for insult,
if you didn't know -
let's unpack a little bit about
the history of tattoos.
This is a Maori warrior,
and these tattoos here
are called "ta moko".
Can anyone think of any celebrities
that have tattoos like this?
Yes? Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.
Yeah, exactly, and he's
in that film.
The Moana film, right, that's set
in East Polynesia,
in the islands of East Polynesia.
He has Samoan heritage...
KNOCKING
Oh, Danny.
Want to take a seat?
So, I...
I were wondering if maybe
it were possible
that I could come back -
to school, like.
As a pupil.
It's not that simple, Danny.
You've missed your GCSEs.
Your forms already preparing
for their A levels.
But what if I just do Year 11 over?
You can't. You can't just repeat
Year 11.
Look, I can.
I know it might not look like it,
but I am smart.
I can work hard.
It's just... It's not possible.
Is that your son, Miss?
Yeah.
It is, yeah.
I hope my mum's OK. KNOCKING
I've found Danny a room in a hostel.
For six weeks to start.
We can check you in at half four.
Come on.
Oh...
Danny would have to sit
two GCSEs,
as well as studying for
his A levels.
That would be a challenge
for a star pupil.
You're a teacher of a school
that's already in trouble.
Our pass rate's low enough as it is.
I'm well aware of the stats, Linden.
I'm also well aware of the fact
that you would've done things
differently if you'd
got the job...
Why are you making this personal?
Choose your battles, Kim.
It is kids like Danny
who are exactly the reason
we need to rename.
How many fronts do you want
to fight?
Cindy.
Wendy.
Nice to see you again, Miss Thorn.
I'll show you in.
This morning just illustrates
how complex
any renaming would actually be,
never mind the finance.
No, this morning illustrates exactly
what I said would happen
if we don't take a stand.
The pupils are outraged, Erica.
Some of them. And some of them are
just troublemakers,
pure and simple.
What's going on?
Erica Thorn's out of her chair.
Does Kim look pissed off?
Either way, I don't see how
you can be seen
to give in to intimidation.
Do you not think I know that?
Erica, you hired me to do this job.
So just let me do it.
Otherwise...
Well, otherwise I will hand in
my resignation.
It really does...
Yeah, so... Yeah.
If you put maths there, right,
then you can swap...
OK, I'm calling a special assembly
50 minutes before the bell.
I want the seniors in the hall and
every other class watching online.
Rally the troops.
What happened this morning was
totally unacceptable.
Now, I will always back this student
body's right to be heard.
Right? And that means everyone.
Not just the loudest voices.
And I will always defend our right
to exist in a school based
on tolerance...
..and inclusivity...
..and respect.
But this morning displayed
none of that.
So let's get something clear.
This is not a democracy.
It is a hierarchy, and if you don't
understand what that means,
look it up.
But the bottom line is
I am in charge.
Now, I have spoken to all of those
involved this morning
and they are all facing
lengthy detentions.
The lack of discipline
and the flagrant, dangerous
disregard for others
has actually shown me that
we do need to fast track
an on-site behavioural unit as soon
as possible.
Because...
..by going off all half cocked,
you nearly scuppered everything.
Yeah, you heard right.
Nearly.
Because as of now,
this school is no longer known
as William Beswick High.
CHEERING
Yes, Miss!
Boo! Boo!
We've taken the first available
name on the council's list.
It belonged to a school that was
demolished some ten years ago,
and I happen to remember it
very well.
So let's have a big shoutout
for your new school.
Waterloo Road.
CHEERING
I can get her re-homed.
She'll be safe.
You don't get it.
I'm all she's got, and...
Danny, can I have a word?
So, how would you feel about going
straight into Year 12
and doing your GCSEs alongside?
Just wait. I'm not making
any promises.
But before I even ask,
I want you to think hard about it,
OK?
Because it's going to be a tonne
of work
and it's going to mean a real
commitment from me, too.
You are going to have to really hit
the ground running.
Take the place that Jamilah's
found for you
and then just knuckle down.
I won't let you down.
SCHOOL BELL RINGS
Where you staying?
Sardinia House.
It's cool, though.
It's like a place of my own.
And, hey, if I play my cards right,
I might be sticking around.
What about all those other kids that
have fallen through the net?
They weren't sleeping
rough in my school.
At least you finally realised
I was right about the BU.
I did what I had to do.
If anyone was seriously hurt or...
Shola, they weren't.
And it should never have got to this
in the first place.
Well, you know the vending machines
in the foyer, right?
I was thinking, you know cos we've
just protested and everything,
maybe we could do that?
Sometimes don't speak, Kelly Jo.
Oh, sometimes you actually
just shut your mouth.
What have tattoos got to do
the Year Nine syllabus?
Oh, it's just an ice breaker,
you know?
Get it dealt with up front.
A word of caution, my love,
break the ice too often,
you'll end up in nothing
but a puddle of cack.
Well done, though. See you tomorrow.
Kels, are you coming to mine?
Er...
Nah, I'd better... I'm going to
go back.
Oh, yeah. Right, bye.
See you. See you later.
You all right? All right? Yeah.
Do you want to hook up?
No, you actually make me
feel sick, mate.
Oh, yeah? Yeah?
Move, man.
Oi, wait up.
Is anyone else thinking... pub?
You must be joking, right?
We've got a new brand to organise.
New logo, new uniform,
new prospectus,
new website. Oh, I can work
with a pint in my hand.
Oh, we know.
Go on. You two go ahead.
Thank you.
Well, if the boss says we can work
from the pub,
let's grab the laptop.
I will make a slob of you yet.
Allons-y?
Come on! Any longer and you're
buying the first round.
Er, yeah, just give me
a second, OK?
Hello, yeah.
I'd like to book a single
room for tonight.
Maybe longer.
Can I go to Waterloo Road?
Only if you eat your mushy peas.
And that's a no.
Hey, that'd mean the whole family
went to the same school.
Well, not the exact same, but...
Hey, Mum, what about your meeting?
It didn't happen, but, you know me,
I'm not one for letting
something drop.
Mm, and don't we all know it!
Oh, funny! He's a funny, funny man!
Oi!
Hey, don't you start!
There's £20 credit on it
and my number
so you can contact me any time.
I'll check in on you
in school, yeah?
Thank you, Jamilah.
Hey!
You can refill my glass for that.
Yeah, go on, then.
Right.
Thank you.
Cheers, guys. Cheers.
Cheers. Cheers.
Hey, I'll do the washing up.
Thanks, my love. It's all right.
KNOCKING
KNOCKING
What are you doing here?
My parents are doing my head in.
I had to get out. But look, I raided
the fridge on the way out.
My mum might actually be Medusa,
yeah,
but she makes a sick falafel.
What's that about?
It were my nana's.
Nana Angel.
It's what everyone used to call her
cos she were always helping
people out. Oh, my God!
Angel!
Where's your dog?
Hey.
Come on, then.
Come on, Angel.
This way.
Hey, what is it?
It's wine over too much excitement.
Yeah? Right, I'll tell you what,
how about a little bit
more excitement?
Take your mind off it, hey?
Are you on Viagra or what?
No.
Hey, what is it?
Chlo?
Something's happening.
Chlo? Hey! Hey! Chlo?
What? Chlo.
Chlo? Chlo?
Hey, hey, hey.
Hey, wake up.
It's OK, baby, come on.
Come on, Chlo. Please.
Izzy? Mum!
Izzy, call an ambulance.
Chlo, come on. Stay with me.
Izzy, call an ambulance now!
Hiya, I'm looking for Chlo Charles.
No?
Hi, Chlo Charles, no?
Oh, come on.
Hi, I'm looking for my wife,
Chlo Charles.
Mr Charles? Yeah, that's right.
Mr Charles.
Yeah, is she in there? Chlo!
Perhaps you can come this way.
Is she in there? Is she OK?
Is she OK?
We can discuss this in
the family room.
What? No, no, I'm not going in
no family room, all right?
I'm just looking for my wife.
Please.
I think you need to sit down.
W-W-Where is she?
Where's my wife?
I'm so sorry. What?
She was brought in an unresponsive
state...
♪ Girl of grace
♪ Heart of gold
♪ Who will take your place
♪ In this greying world?
♪ Figures of light
♪ Rays of hope
♪ Who will know which way to turn?
♪ Messages pure in times of need
♪ I'm always here, even when
you don't see
♪ Little girl
♪ When did you lose
♪ All that light and life
around you?
♪ All that love and light
surrounds you... ♪
was forever
♪ I remember snuff videos
♪ Cold Septembers, the distances
we covered
♪ The fist fights on the beach
♪ The bizzies round us up
♪ Do it all again next week
♪ And the boy who kicked
Tom's head in
♪ Still bugs me now
♪ That's the thing, it lingers
♪ And claws you when you're down...
♪ I was far too scared to hit him
♪ But I would hit him in
a heartbeat now
♪ That's the thing with anger
♪ It begs to stick around
♪ So it can fleece you
of your beauty
♪ And leave you spent... ♪
Hey! Come on!
Big day today.
Dad, I'm scared.
Come here.
What are you like, hey?
Who isn't on their first
day of a new school?
Hmm? It's all part of
the adventure, innit?
Now, me, you should've seen me.
I gave it all the swagger.
Proper Mr Big Pants.
Invincible.
But I was wetting my keks just like
everyone else.
But you know what?
Them were some of the best days
of my life.
You know, maybe I wasn't that good
at some of it.
You know, the lessons, the homework,
exams.
Maybe I locked horns with a couple
of teachers now and then, too.
But some of them I won't forget.
What if I just don't make
any friends?
Izz!
Come on, of course you will.
Loads of 'em.
And look, if it takes a bit of time
to get to know someone,
it's likely because they're
interesting.
All right? So just be patient.
Cos your mates from school
are your mates for life.
And sometimes you even end up
marrying 'em.
Your mum was the best thing that
ever happened to me at school,
and if I would've bottled school
on day one,
I never would've met her.
And you and your brother
wouldn't even be here.
And we wouldn't be having this
conversation, all right?
Hey!
You got this, Izz. All right?
It's your turn now.
And look, I'm not ashamed
to admit it.
I'm jealous.
Because if I could do it
all over again,
I would do.
But this time I'd have
twice as much fun.
Clip board. Can we have a little
less phone action
and a bit more stairs action,
please?
How the hell did that get there?
Welcome back.
I told the LEA the students are
not backing down on this.
Don't blame them, really.
Right, I should be back before
the pupils arrive.
If not, tell Joe and Linden
to hold the fort.
I need to speak to the LEA before
this gets any worse.
Nate, Nate, Nate! You are
not Ronaldo!
Keep walking!
What do you know about football?
Go down the ramp and not the steps,
yeah?
Oh, careful, guys, sorry.
Morning. Morning.
Morning, sir. Morning. Morning.
Hey, did you pick your IT sheets
off the bench?
No.
What do you mean?
I'm not bailing you out
of detention again.
Oi, oi, oi! Where are you going?
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey! Come here.
All right. Have you got...?
You've got toothpaste
all over your mouth.
Give me your...
Morning.
Morning, Joe.
Woo!
Is it my birthday? JOE LAUGHS
Have you been to the gym?
Er, I spilt some coffee down
my shirt on the way in.
Oh, you're joking?
When you've finished flashing
your pecs,
you might want to get down
to the main entrance.
Kim's off site
and it's all kicking off.
Go team!
Erica? Really, Kim? Not now.
Erica, I have got graffiti
on the front entrance
calling the school racist
in big red letters.
Oh, God.
Look, we've got to bite the bullet!
We've got to get the name changed!
I am well aware of your feelings,
Kim.
Well, for me, the kids are bang-on
the money.
Whose money?
That's one of the issues.
Not every parent wants to waste
limited funds on a rebrand
when we're already stretched
so thin.
It wouldn't be a waste!
The Principal is relevant,
I know that.
But I have to measure it against the
cost of books, resources, uniforms.
William Beswick isn't the only
school I have to consider.
No, no, but it's the only school
that I have to consider.
And believe me, graffiti is the tip
of the iceberg.
Listen up. We've only got one
chance to do this.
This is our school and we need
to make them listen.
How many of you has been ignored?
How many of you feel like you
deserve better?
This is our school. Take a look
around and what do you see?
A building. History that doesn't
even reflect who we are.
Sir, we're not moving until we're
taking that down. Do you hear?
You've made your point.
No, we haven't made our point.
Cos we've tried and tried and you
ain't listening to us.
Yeah.
Right, come on.
Get inside, kids.
Don't even think about it.
Not my school!
My mum's going to kill me!
For standing up to slavery?
Come on, get it off.
Built on blood!
Not my school!
Put your blazers over there
when you come in, all right?
Sir, we won't back down until that's
taken down, do you hear me?
This is not the way.
Go on, take it off, then, Weever.
Nah, I'm not taking off my uniform
for no snowflakes.
What do you mean? Why are you trying
to be a big man?
Not our school!
Not our school!
Come on, check this out.
What's with the paint?
It's the blood of slaves, innit?
We didn't agree to this!
Vandalism isn't the answer.
Our uniforms, our property.
It's our right to protest.
This is cancel culture.
Some cultures need cancelling.
It's history, man.
You're history, man.
Yeah, all right.
Hey, hey! All right, all right.
The school wasn't informed
of any demonstration.
It's spontaneous.
Paint wasn't part of the original
plan, though.
A spontaneous plan?
You can look up oxymoron
in detention.
Nah, Mr King just called you
a moron, Samia.
INDISTINCT SHOUTING
Yo, come on!
You look smoking, babe.
I was going for professional.
That's what I said, isn't it?
Come on, what's going on here?
One more minute and
I'm taking names!
Not our school!
Kai, man. What you doing?
I know.
We said no uniforms.
I must've forgot.
Or did I?
MUSIC: Like That by Kullah
Bye-bye, Billy bag.
Those clothes cost money.
Yeah. Yeah, just save it
for drama class, Kai.
I see you, Dean Weever!
Both of you, get down now!
PHONE PINGS
Not our school!
Built on blood!
Not our school!
Built on blood!
Not our school!
Built on blood!
Not our school!
Built on blood!
I knew I should've walked.
Yeah, well, you're both going
to have to walk
if I'm going to get to this job
on time. Yeah.
Go on. Hey, and Izz, make me proud,
all right?
Go on. You go ahead.
Sure? Go, go.
Pack it in!
SHOUTING
Pack! It! In!
What the hell!
What the hell? Was that you?
I... I was trying to stop it
hitting that kid.
Oh, don't give me that. What's your
name and what year are you in?
I'm not a pupil. Oi!
Unbelievable.
Unbelievable.
I don't believe this.
CAR HORN BLARES
I can hear you!
At the same time, we've been seeing
large areas of cloud moving in
from across the Atlantic
as a weather front
approaches our shores.
There is a high chance of seeing
some heavy outbreaks...
Shut up.
I said shut up!
INDISTINCT SPEECH Oh, my God.
Oh, my God.
Mum?
I am so sorry!
Are you OK?
The car behind me hit me
and I didn't see her.
Oh, right. Come on, let's get
you inside.
Is this your mum? OK.
Right, what have you hurt?
Just my arm.
Your arm? Yeah.
What were you doing? You hit me!
It was an accident. An accident.
A paint bomb hit my windscreen
and I couldn't see a thing.
It wasn't my fault!
CHILDREN LAUGH
All of you, get back now.
Enough is enough.
Right now.
Everyone, that is enough.
Get back right now!
Get back now! Stop!
OK, this is not the way.
Right, I hope you're all a dab hand
with a cleaning brush
cos you're all...
Joe! Joe, get the gate closed.
I need the gate closed.
Stop throwing paint!
This is not the way to get things
done. Pupils into school now.
There's traffic backing
up on the road, Kim.
Apparently there's been some kind of
shunt as well. What?
I know.
All right, that's it.
Call the police.
Samia!
What's going on?
It's what we told you.
If the council didn't change
the name,
then we'd have to make 'em.
I was dealing with it!
I was dealing with it! And this!
This has just messed everything up!
Well, we're not going inside until
you actually listen to us.
OK, so the police have now
been called, all right?
If everyone doesn't get back
into the school,
then I will shut the school...
..and I will make sure that
everybody is arrested!
Samia.
Not our school!
Built on blood!
Not our school!
Samia, stop it now.
Built on blood!
Not our school!
All right, everyone.
We've made our point now.
Let's call it a day, yeah?
You what?
Inside! Get inside. Come on.
Into the school.
Please, come on.
I'm starving. Let's go.
Come inside, everyone!
No, Kelly Jo, come on.
Kelly Jo.
Get off me!
They've called the police.
DOG BARKS
Might be broken.
Oh, I'll be all right.
You should get an X-ray.
I think it'll be fine.
Can you show the new Year Sevens
where to go?
Thank you.
Have a good day.
SIRENS BLARE
Chlo?
Miss, I've got paint on my jumper.
Oh, take yourself inside.
Get washed up. Welcome to
the school.
Lockdown, all is forgiven.
Morning, Neil.
SCHOOL BELL RINGS
If you've got paint on you,
wash off what you can
and change into your PE kits.
I heard somebody got hurt.
Hit by a shunted car.
OK, so Kim's with the police.
I suggest we delay the staff
meeting, skip assembly
and use first period for
orientation, OK?
Yeah. We're clear? Good.
Oh, what now? A dirty protest?
That's dog muck. Someone's trodden
it through.
I'll get Rolph.
Look at the state of this.
How could you? Hey?
After what I've spent
on these blazers.
We said we wouldn't wear 'em.
Yeah, well, they're ruined now,
aren't they, Tonia?
I don't know why you're so stressed,
Auntie Nicky.
Listen, my sister might've bought
second hand, Kelly Jo,
but I wanted your cousins to
look smart, thank you.
Get down off there.
We were making a point, Mum.
Make your point when it's you
that's footing the bill.
Excuse me, get them off there.
I've got to serve food off there.
It's a total nightmare, Pres.
Oh, don't tell me they dragged
you into it and all?
No, she's the one who started it.
I didn't want this.
This was supposed to be
a peaceful protest.
Now look at us. We're just going
to get into trouble.
Come here, love. It's all right.
Come on. Don't cry.
You lot. Honestly.
Stop, turn round and find a skip
for that.
Disgusting! Oh, sir!
That is minging.
They smell like you.
Hey, how do you use this...?
Get off there, Kelly Jo!
Hey, Dad.
Looks like someone got
lost in the hallway.
I didn't get lost. It was Mum that
said we should meet you in here.
I just thought you might want to
know that your daughter arrived
safely on her first day. We were
both rather expecting you
to drive her in.
I could've walked.
Sorry, I had to leave early.
Yeah, I gather there's been
some trouble.
And we missed all of it.
Just as well your dad was here
early to sort it all out.
Let's go and find your
form room, hey?
See you later.
So you're just here to score points?
You're the one that didn't
come home last night.
You're making a mountain
out of nothing.
Getting tricked into accepting
charity is not nothing.
OK? I told you, we get a bigger
house when WE can afford it,
not your dad.
I knew you'd be pig-headed
about this.
Yeah, but you just went ahead and
did whatever you wanted to do.
Hannah, hi. Hi, Kim.
What a nightmare start to the term
for you.
Er, yeah - day one in the
Big Brother House, right?
Hannah was just leaving. Oh, OK.
Yeah, I'll see you at home, darling.
Unless there's another riot.
OK, emergency SMT meeting as soon
as Joe comes in,
and maybe someone can explain to me
how I leave for ten minutes
and I come back to a war zone.
Izzy, are you OK? Yeah. Yeah?
Good.
Er, I can pull the nurse in early
if need be?
I thought you were the nurse?
Miss Spratt is a teacher, Izzy.
I'm newly qualified, but I am
St Johns Ambulance trained.
I'm pretty sure it's not broken,
but I would prefer it if you
got it X-rayed.
It'll be fine.
And where did you bang your head?
It's my daughter that I'm more
worried about.
Oh, we are as shocked as you are,
but the police have dealt
with the troublemakers
and I can assure you we will taking
every precaution.
Mm.
Right, new pupil induction
on the main landing.
Can you? Oh, yeah.
Come on, let's find out where
you're supposed to be.
Come here, love. Come here.
Be good.
Er, I'd like to keep you here
if that, that's OK?
It's just so the police can ask
you a few questions.
Are you serious?
Sergeant Rutherford's a nice guy.
We know him here.
What about my pitch?
Er, pitch?
The parents skills initiative.
The newsletter said to come
in today.
Oh, I think you've misunderstood.
Largely, it was a couple
of local idiots.
The injured parent's
in the medical room.
Thank you.
This is exactly what I feared
would happen.
I told the LEA, but they're
not listening.
We came this close to closing.
Kim, the LEA need to make
a decision.
They've already made a decision -
weather the storm
and continue educating.
And how well do you think that's
going on day one, Linden?
Well, if we started a behaviour unit
like I suggested
instead of getting caught up
in politics,
then maybe we might've
got somewhere. Whoa!
Most of the kids out there just
wanted to be heard.
And the ones like Dean Weever
should've been an on-site
behaviour review.
OK, bottom line is, we let morale
get any lower,
we won't even have a school,
let alone a behavioural unit.
So...
What do we do now?
Spliff, anyone? Mm.
Terrible joke. Sorry.
I've got to wear this stupid
rugby top all day.
I'm not done getting ready.
All right, it's not a fashion show.
You can't rush a masterpiece.
Oh! You look like a crime scene,
mate!
Has anyone got a pair of scissors?
I've got nail clippers.
That might work.
Maybe try the art department.
Yeah, that might work. Mm-hm.
See you.
Hey, that's my sister's!
No, not any more.
It's mine now, babes.
Hey, Caz, wait up!
DOG WHIMPERS
Zip up, kids. You're busted.
Whoa!
Who's that?
Oi!
Stop now!
Ow!
Get off!
Look, I need you to stop resisting.
Get off me!
I need you to stop resisting arrest.
I will have to handcuff you, sir.
All right.
Watch out. What's going on?
Right, everybody, stand back.
Mike, what you doing?
He's been caught trespassing
in the school.
You all right, Danny?
Danny Lewis?
Is he a pupil? Are you OK?
I used to be.
Right, everyone, inside now.
Come on.
Danny, are you all right?
Don't...
Come on.
Danny, come on.
So that's history and humanities,
and that's ICT.
Sorry, where's maths again?
I'll show you. My dad's deputy head
so I've had a tour
quite a few times.
You're Mr King's kid?
Yeah, he can be uptight.
What the hell are you doing?
What is this?
He does seem a bit stressed.
Put it this way, he kicks off
if I smudge my handwriting.
This is not your house, Weever.
This is not the kind of thing
we want in this school.
You've got an F for art.
I'll let her know. OK, thank you.
Thank you.
Could you just maybe get her
off the furniture?
So, what's her name?
Angel. Hi, Angel.
He's been camping out in the boiler
room for a few weeks,
maybe even longer.
OK, do you know what, I think
we can take it from here.
Home contact.
I don't want to speak to my mum.
Danny, let's just...
This is Jamilah Omar.
She's our Social Worker.
Hiya, Danny.
Danny, why don't we go down
to pastoral care, right?
We can have a chat in private.
You can leave your stuff here, safe.
Yeah?
Can I...? Yeah, thanks.
Back to class.
Is there a reason you don't want us
to call your mum? No point.
I only stayed cos of my nan.
How long have been sleeping rough,
Danny?
Before here, or did you stay
with someone else?
Oh, look, can I go now or what?
Sit down.
Where are you going to go, Danny?
You can't stay here.
Look, I never stole nothing
or broke anything.
Look, I mean, I even cleaned
the shower when I were done.
Right, well, I'm going to leave you
to talk to Jamilah, right? Calmly.
Will you find me when you're done?
Yeah?
DOOR BANGS
You must've been very lonely.
First, we're greeted
with gang warfare,
and now we've got some hobo
creeping around.
Hobo? He's a kid, Neil.
Two years ago he was this high.
Yeah, OK, but if Danny Lewis left,
what the hell's he doing
camping out?
Danny didn't leave.
He fell through the net - Covid,
lockdown, family chaos.
I remember Danny. Quiet boy.
Perhaps he could quietly clean up
after his dog.
Well, it wouldn't be an issue if the
school security was adequate.
I mean, seriously, Kim.
Neil, it's on the list.
Along with this morning's debacle.
I mean, I don't even know why
we got to this point.
Seriously, Neil?
Look, the conversation should be
about historical context,
not cancel culture.
And you won't find a Jimmy Savile
secondary school
on my bus route.
Hiya, sorry. I'm still trying
to find my way around.
Amy Spratt, our new ECT for Drama
and for English.
Coral Walker, your Head
of Department.
Er, I think we've already met.
You're my new ECT?
Mm, and a bit of a heroine when it
was all kicking off out there.
Ah!
Welcome.
I heard some lad got
tackled by the feds.
I thought Danny Lewis
left in Year Ten?
OK, anyone not supposed to be here,
get to your class.
That means you, Preston.
Oh, gutted!
Bye!
In your own time.
See you later, then.
Excuse me.
I want anyone involved in
this morning's fiasco
to come forward voluntarily.
If they don't, CCTV will be checked
and anyone found to be involved
will face tougher punishment.
This morning ended up with a woman
being knocked over by a car.
So it's better for anyone involved
to own up rather than force me
to come after them.
OK, thank you.
Thank you, Miss Campbell.
Open your books.
Are you OK, hon? Mm.
It's just that Danny lad.
I overreacted.
I didn't know it was a pupil.
Oh, least of his problems right now.
Well, I finish at five, so I'll do
tea for the boys, yeah?
Right, yeah, yeah. Listen, drive
safe.
I really need to see Miss Campbell.
Can you just please let me
see her, cos...
Excuse me, sorry to interrupt,
Mr Casey.
I was there when you took a tumble.
Is everything OK?
Oh, yeah, just a sore wrist.
Sore wrist?
Well, that is such a relief. Mm.
Right, let's get you that cab,
shall we?
I know. It's completely my fault.
I got the wrong date.
I'm really, really sorry but I just
wanted to see her
because I have worked on it and
I thought it said today.
Yeah, but is it actually due
today or tomorrow?
He looks like he needs a wash.
He doesn't smell, though.
He's actually got deodorant.
Wait, you sniffed him?
Shut up. I feel bad.
Me and Danny were best mates
growing up.
He came to my 12th birthday party.
Oh, bless!
Was it pirates?
No, no, no, superheroes? Mm-hm.
Karaoke all day.
Danny clashed with his mum's
boyfriend, apparently.
Lockdown obviously heightened
tensions.
Yeah, I can imagine.
Then the grandmother died. Covid.
And things just broke down
altogether.
I mean, he's got an aunt in Leeds,
but they didn't want him
because of the virus.
So he's sofa surfed until he's ended
up on the streets.
Well, that's the gist anyway.
I mean, he's not exactly talkative.
He was going to leg it earlier,
but then everything kicked off
outside.
So this is his sanctuary?
I've managed to get him to agree
to mediation with the mother
if I can arrange it.
OK, well, in the meantime, we'll see
what we can do our end.
Yeah. All right, brilliant.
Thank you.
Mrs Charles is the parent that was
hurt in the fracas.
I've called her a cab.
I know Chlo. Come here.
Oh, wow!
I'm so sorry.
Are you all right?
Oh, I'm fine. I'm fine.
Yeah?
God, you thought we were lively?
Yeah, trust me, it will not
be happening again.
Izzy's in safe hands so don't worry.
Is the school's name changing
or what?
Er, nothing's set in stone.
Well, yeah, not any more. Last I saw
they were taking him off a wall.
Look, anyway, just seeing as
I'm here,
do you mind if I tell you about this
project I was going to pitch you?
Oh, Chlo, do you know what?
Now is not a good time.
Kim, look, I've taken a day
off work for this
and all I've got is
a sprained wrist.
All right, go on. Go for it.
Oh, right. OK.
So Izzy's brother, Tommy, he's six
and he's got ADD.
But before he was diagnosed, he was
running rings around us all.
The long and short is therapy
animals really, really helped
and they've got them in prisons,
care homes, hospitals.
Do you know what? That is actually
really interesting.
Right, let's talk about it
another time.
Kim, please read this.
Cos I'm dead passionate
about this project.
You've not changed a bit.
All right, I'll be two minutes.
Do you know where the toilets are?
They're in that door and then down
the corridor,
but I'm going there anyway
so I'll just take you.
How is your first day going, anyway?
Yeah, all right.
It's hard being a new girl
in Year Nine, though.
I feel like a proper loser.
We should've just never moved
in the first place.
So have your parents split up
or what?
No.
They're like Romeo and Juliet.
Just moved house, that's all.
Oh, so you're one of the
lucky ones, then?
Are your parents divorced?
No.
Well, not yet anyway.
Kim! Sorry, I can't get an answer
on Danny's mum.
It might be an old number so I'm
going to go down there myself.
OK, good.
In the meantime, Danny,
do you want to go
and get yourself some food
from the canteen?
Yeah, and Wendy won't mind looking
after Angel, will you?
Erica Thorn's called.
She's coming in about the riot.
Oh, for God's sake. Come on.
Come on now.
So are you really turning up to
Campbell's arse kicking?
Yeah, I am. And so are you.
Kelly!
Is it me, or is Danny Lewis
looking hot?
Check her out. She used to be a
beautician before Covid.
If you want any botox or fillers.
And that's her son, Preston.
He's, like, totally fit,
and he's an athlete.
Everyone fancies him.
How do you know?
I told you, my dad's a teacher.
I know lots. Like, Mr Guthrie,
history teacher.
His wife's dead but he's, like,
totally in denial.
And Miss Walker - well, she's just
a nut job.
OCD, to be fair, but still,
she's a total clean freak.
What? Your dad told you all that?
No, duh. I listen in.
Oh, here she is.
Oh, good to see a smile
on your face.
Honestly, Campbell needs
to get a grip.
This school's going right down
the plughole. Thanks.
I'm not trying to be tight
or anything
but I am going to sit with him.
It's his first day.
You said you were sitting with me.
I feel bad.
I'll see you a bit, all right?
Morning. See you in a bit.
Whatever.
You got buff, bro.
You've changed some yourself.
Yeah.
I've evolved.
So, what? Are you, like,
he, she or they now?
Baby, I'm all he.
Just not your flavour.
Homeless, man.
Life gets in the way, innit.
So what you going to do now?
I don't know.
Things are complicated at home.
Listen, I get it.
My family are on my back 24/7.
They do not stop.
But they'll let you come to school
dressed like My Little Pony?
All right, Frankenstein.
♪ I know that you wanna
have some fun...
You're done. Yeah? OK, thank you!
See you later!
♪ Baby, you are hotter than the sun
♪ Just like bubble gum. ♪
So you thought your new ECT
was a sixth former?
Well, wouldn't you?
I mean, yeah, absolutely.
Have you seen what she's wearing
on her first day at school?
Come on now.
Let's play nice.
It's hardly professional, is it?
Oh, are you being serious?
Yes!
Oh, my God. Get a room.
Whatever. Shut up.
Danny!
I know. Yeah, man.
Knackered.
Oh!
Is that Miss Walker?
Oh, yeah, don't look directly
in the eyes.
Your knob will fall off.
Supposed to have her for English...
You were spared, bro. Spared.
So how long have Preston and Sami
been together, then?
I don't know. About a year
or something.
The golden couple.
We bask in their light.
Ha, funny.
All right, Danny, let's see what
you're made of. Oh, not this.
Ooh!
Yeah, all right, don't make it
a big deal, yeah?
Nice one. I'll see you.
Danny?
Can we have a word?
Poor kid.
Like life hasn't been crap enough,
and then he gets rugby
tackled by the police.
Well, to be fair, he was
running away.
Do you think the police
would've done that
to a scrawny white kid?
Honestly, Val, I feel like I can't
say anything
without being accused of some sort
of white privilege.
And you think I'm not tired
of saying it?
We've all got fatigue, Coral.
They were evicted four months ago.
The landlord doesn't know where
they went. And she didn't
leave a number or a note
or anything?
It's hurtful and a big shock.
I can see that.
But we'll keep looking for your mum.
What's the point?
She doesn't want to see me and...
..I don't want to see her.
What I'm going to do, Danny, is find
you some temporary accommodation.
I can look after myself.
Yeah, I'm sure you can,
but you need somewhere safe to stay
until we can assess your needs.
Does that sound like a plan?
Right, sit up and listen.
You have no idea the position
that you have put us into.
This school and yourselves.
We campaigned for a whole year
and nothing's changed.
So you thought you'd organise
a riot to sort it?
The red paint was my idea, OK?
It was supposed to be symbolic.
I didn't know cretins like him
were going to abuse it.
No, don't even try it, lads.
I saw you hurling projectiles
at pupils.
We threw the paint to be symbolic.
You don't even know what
symbolic means!
Neither do you!
All right, that's enough!
Enough. Enough.
Dean, do you think hurting people
is funny?
No.
Nah, it depends on the situation,
innit?
Like, if it's just a wallop
in the goolies.
There's something properly
wrong with you.
No, are you lads going to pay for
the damage to school property?
Or to people's clothes,
or to Caz's hair?
Miss, I'm not even bothered
about my hair.
What I'm bothered about is the fact
we've got a white supremacist
name on our blazers.
That is not OK.
And I understand your frustrations.
But taking matters into
your own hands,
like you did this morning,
not only undermines your position
but it also makes things worse.
What happened this morning was
really, really dangerous,
and if anybody was seriously hurt,
some of you here might've been
facing some criminal charges.
Look, nobody listened to us,
Miss Campbell.
What would you have done
in our place?
When I was at school... Oh...
GROANING
When I was at school,
challenging the William Beswicks
of the world
was not even an option.
Excuse me. Thank you.
Oh, Miss Campbell! Listen, I've been
hearing all sorts
about new uniforms. Er, nothing's
been settled on yet, Nicky.
Well, obviously not.
That's why I'm asking you.
Us parents need to know if we're
going to have to fork out. OK.
Yeah, I understand. And I'm sorry
for the lack of clarity.
It's just there's certain procedures
I have to go through
before I can make any definitive
answer. Procedure?
So that's a yes, then, isn't it,
if you're talking procedures?
Why do you not just say?
Or are you worried you're going to
have another riot on your hands?
Do you know what, Nicky?
I get that you're a parent,
but you are also a school employee
and I'm your boss.
I am not your enemy.
I've got to see the bigger picture.
So, please, just bear with me.
Well, it could've been worse.
How?
We've absolutely blown it, Shola,
and we made ourselves look
proper bad,
all because you brought in some
stupid red paint.
Well, it wasn't me lobbing it all
over the place, was it?
Nah, that was them two morons,
right there.
Oi, you!
You're an actual minger, mate.
HE BLOWS A RASPBERRY
That's minging.
Oh, my God, you're an actual pig.
You're an actual pig!
THEY SNORT
Yous are actually disgusting.
Chlo?
I said, "Do not come home."
Let me see. Let me see.
Oh, come on, babe.
That's not nothing.
No, it is. Just a bruise.
You've just been hit by a car!
I fell on my arse, actually,
and I was more upset about my pitch
going belly up.
Right, I'm calling Kim Campbell.
No, no. Don't you dare.
Look, I'm glad that it happened.
It's given me an even better idea.
What? It came to me while
I was waiting
for them to fix me wrist.
There was this new teacher,
her first day.
Amy, right? She's dead young,
she's dead on it.
Not like how it was back in the day.
It just got me thinking, like,
why not me?
What are you saying? You want to be
a teacher now?
No, a teaching assistant.
It's what I've been
reaching for, Don,
except it's better because I can
do more than just animal therapy
and I'd be part of something.
Oh, look at you.
You're buzzing.
Yeah, do you know what?
I'm actually glad that you came home
cos it means that it's just the two
of us and I can blab
and I don't take anything
from Izzy's big day.
Yeah, just wait a minute.
Rewind. Did you just say,
just the two of us?
Meaning, what?
That there is no-one else here?
Just me and the wife being
all vulnerable,
cute and excited.
You are a bad man. Yes.
Yes, I am, Mrs Charles.
And I think I may need punishing
upstairs.
You are not going anywhere with
those filthy boots on.
Oh, come on! Hey, come here, you.
Oi, wait!
Right, I'm Miss Spratt.
And there's nothing you can say
that I haven't heard before,
so knock yourselves out.
Can I see your tattoo, Miss?
Maybe. After you've done some work.
Did it hurt? Er, yeah, a bit.
But enough about my...
You've got one on your back and all.
My nan calls them slag badges.
My uncle's got a tattoo on his back.
Yeah, but he's a bloke.
Sexist. Blokes can be slags, too.
OK, before I get onto the origins
of the word slag
and its current use as
a pejorative -
which is posh for insult,
if you didn't know -
let's unpack a little bit about
the history of tattoos.
This is a Maori warrior,
and these tattoos here
are called "ta moko".
Can anyone think of any celebrities
that have tattoos like this?
Yes? Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.
Yeah, exactly, and he's
in that film.
The Moana film, right, that's set
in East Polynesia,
in the islands of East Polynesia.
He has Samoan heritage...
KNOCKING
Oh, Danny.
Want to take a seat?
So, I...
I were wondering if maybe
it were possible
that I could come back -
to school, like.
As a pupil.
It's not that simple, Danny.
You've missed your GCSEs.
Your forms already preparing
for their A levels.
But what if I just do Year 11 over?
You can't. You can't just repeat
Year 11.
Look, I can.
I know it might not look like it,
but I am smart.
I can work hard.
It's just... It's not possible.
Is that your son, Miss?
Yeah.
It is, yeah.
I hope my mum's OK. KNOCKING
I've found Danny a room in a hostel.
For six weeks to start.
We can check you in at half four.
Come on.
Oh...
Danny would have to sit
two GCSEs,
as well as studying for
his A levels.
That would be a challenge
for a star pupil.
You're a teacher of a school
that's already in trouble.
Our pass rate's low enough as it is.
I'm well aware of the stats, Linden.
I'm also well aware of the fact
that you would've done things
differently if you'd
got the job...
Why are you making this personal?
Choose your battles, Kim.
It is kids like Danny
who are exactly the reason
we need to rename.
How many fronts do you want
to fight?
Cindy.
Wendy.
Nice to see you again, Miss Thorn.
I'll show you in.
This morning just illustrates
how complex
any renaming would actually be,
never mind the finance.
No, this morning illustrates exactly
what I said would happen
if we don't take a stand.
The pupils are outraged, Erica.
Some of them. And some of them are
just troublemakers,
pure and simple.
What's going on?
Erica Thorn's out of her chair.
Does Kim look pissed off?
Either way, I don't see how
you can be seen
to give in to intimidation.
Do you not think I know that?
Erica, you hired me to do this job.
So just let me do it.
Otherwise...
Well, otherwise I will hand in
my resignation.
It really does...
Yeah, so... Yeah.
If you put maths there, right,
then you can swap...
OK, I'm calling a special assembly
50 minutes before the bell.
I want the seniors in the hall and
every other class watching online.
Rally the troops.
What happened this morning was
totally unacceptable.
Now, I will always back this student
body's right to be heard.
Right? And that means everyone.
Not just the loudest voices.
And I will always defend our right
to exist in a school based
on tolerance...
..and inclusivity...
..and respect.
But this morning displayed
none of that.
So let's get something clear.
This is not a democracy.
It is a hierarchy, and if you don't
understand what that means,
look it up.
But the bottom line is
I am in charge.
Now, I have spoken to all of those
involved this morning
and they are all facing
lengthy detentions.
The lack of discipline
and the flagrant, dangerous
disregard for others
has actually shown me that
we do need to fast track
an on-site behavioural unit as soon
as possible.
Because...
..by going off all half cocked,
you nearly scuppered everything.
Yeah, you heard right.
Nearly.
Because as of now,
this school is no longer known
as William Beswick High.
CHEERING
Yes, Miss!
Boo! Boo!
We've taken the first available
name on the council's list.
It belonged to a school that was
demolished some ten years ago,
and I happen to remember it
very well.
So let's have a big shoutout
for your new school.
Waterloo Road.
CHEERING
I can get her re-homed.
She'll be safe.
You don't get it.
I'm all she's got, and...
Danny, can I have a word?
So, how would you feel about going
straight into Year 12
and doing your GCSEs alongside?
Just wait. I'm not making
any promises.
But before I even ask,
I want you to think hard about it,
OK?
Because it's going to be a tonne
of work
and it's going to mean a real
commitment from me, too.
You are going to have to really hit
the ground running.
Take the place that Jamilah's
found for you
and then just knuckle down.
I won't let you down.
SCHOOL BELL RINGS
Where you staying?
Sardinia House.
It's cool, though.
It's like a place of my own.
And, hey, if I play my cards right,
I might be sticking around.
What about all those other kids that
have fallen through the net?
They weren't sleeping
rough in my school.
At least you finally realised
I was right about the BU.
I did what I had to do.
If anyone was seriously hurt or...
Shola, they weren't.
And it should never have got to this
in the first place.
Well, you know the vending machines
in the foyer, right?
I was thinking, you know cos we've
just protested and everything,
maybe we could do that?
Sometimes don't speak, Kelly Jo.
Oh, sometimes you actually
just shut your mouth.
What have tattoos got to do
the Year Nine syllabus?
Oh, it's just an ice breaker,
you know?
Get it dealt with up front.
A word of caution, my love,
break the ice too often,
you'll end up in nothing
but a puddle of cack.
Well done, though. See you tomorrow.
Kels, are you coming to mine?
Er...
Nah, I'd better... I'm going to
go back.
Oh, yeah. Right, bye.
See you. See you later.
You all right? All right? Yeah.
Do you want to hook up?
No, you actually make me
feel sick, mate.
Oh, yeah? Yeah?
Move, man.
Oi, wait up.
Is anyone else thinking... pub?
You must be joking, right?
We've got a new brand to organise.
New logo, new uniform,
new prospectus,
new website. Oh, I can work
with a pint in my hand.
Oh, we know.
Go on. You two go ahead.
Thank you.
Well, if the boss says we can work
from the pub,
let's grab the laptop.
I will make a slob of you yet.
Allons-y?
Come on! Any longer and you're
buying the first round.
Er, yeah, just give me
a second, OK?
Hello, yeah.
I'd like to book a single
room for tonight.
Maybe longer.
Can I go to Waterloo Road?
Only if you eat your mushy peas.
And that's a no.
Hey, that'd mean the whole family
went to the same school.
Well, not the exact same, but...
Hey, Mum, what about your meeting?
It didn't happen, but, you know me,
I'm not one for letting
something drop.
Mm, and don't we all know it!
Oh, funny! He's a funny, funny man!
Oi!
Hey, don't you start!
There's £20 credit on it
and my number
so you can contact me any time.
I'll check in on you
in school, yeah?
Thank you, Jamilah.
Hey!
You can refill my glass for that.
Yeah, go on, then.
Right.
Thank you.
Cheers, guys. Cheers.
Cheers. Cheers.
Hey, I'll do the washing up.
Thanks, my love. It's all right.
KNOCKING
KNOCKING
What are you doing here?
My parents are doing my head in.
I had to get out. But look, I raided
the fridge on the way out.
My mum might actually be Medusa,
yeah,
but she makes a sick falafel.
What's that about?
It were my nana's.
Nana Angel.
It's what everyone used to call her
cos she were always helping
people out. Oh, my God!
Angel!
Where's your dog?
Hey.
Come on, then.
Come on, Angel.
This way.
Hey, what is it?
It's wine over too much excitement.
Yeah? Right, I'll tell you what,
how about a little bit
more excitement?
Take your mind off it, hey?
Are you on Viagra or what?
No.
Hey, what is it?
Chlo?
Something's happening.
Chlo? Hey! Hey! Chlo?
What? Chlo.
Chlo? Chlo?
Hey, hey, hey.
Hey, wake up.
It's OK, baby, come on.
Come on, Chlo. Please.
Izzy? Mum!
Izzy, call an ambulance.
Chlo, come on. Stay with me.
Izzy, call an ambulance now!
Hiya, I'm looking for Chlo Charles.
No?
Hi, Chlo Charles, no?
Oh, come on.
Hi, I'm looking for my wife,
Chlo Charles.
Mr Charles? Yeah, that's right.
Mr Charles.
Yeah, is she in there? Chlo!
Perhaps you can come this way.
Is she in there? Is she OK?
Is she OK?
We can discuss this in
the family room.
What? No, no, I'm not going in
no family room, all right?
I'm just looking for my wife.
Please.
I think you need to sit down.
W-W-Where is she?
Where's my wife?
I'm so sorry. What?
She was brought in an unresponsive
state...
♪ Girl of grace
♪ Heart of gold
♪ Who will take your place
♪ In this greying world?
♪ Figures of light
♪ Rays of hope
♪ Who will know which way to turn?
♪ Messages pure in times of need
♪ I'm always here, even when
you don't see
♪ Little girl
♪ When did you lose
♪ All that light and life
around you?
♪ All that love and light
surrounds you... ♪