14x01 - Episode 1

[bunniefuu]

Ah! I'm arresting you...

I can help you. Trust me.

It's me who gets my dad like that.

You and your sister,
you're going to go into care.

I'm doing it. I'm doing it. Yes!

Oh, my God, they're getting married!

When exactly were you going to share

our impending academy status
with us?

I've made some headway on potential
alternative sites within the Trust.

Excellent progress.

Why is he not picking up?

I told you you could do better.

Just stay out my way
or there'll be trouble.

You couldn't keep him.
At least now you know.

I've decided to step back from work,

which of course creates
a job vacancy

for Trust CEO.

You might need to polish up your CV.

Looks like there might be an opening
for new headteacher here.

Change is never easy.

We're used to things the way
they've been,

and it's scary to jump
into something new.

But we can make that leap together.

And it's sad to say goodbye
to Miss Campbell,

or Mrs Treneman, as she's now known,

but I am so proud to be stood here
as your new acting head.

It's my hope,
in our new building,

we can create an environment
that fosters

curiosity, exploration and respect.

Together, we can do great things
at the new Waterloo Road Academy,

and I know... Oh!

Don't worry, I don't think
anyone noticed.

It's starting to feel real now.
Shall we go for a wander?

Yeah. Yeah. Right. It's, um...

You know, my first week
as a head teacher,

I threw up in a wastepaper basket.

Really? Mm-hm.

I can't imagine that.
Oh, aye, proper jelly legs.

Well, you didn't have you
as a mentor. Exactly!

You know what you're doing
and you know what to expect.

The pupils, they're going to be
on their best behaviour at first,

but that won't last.

Why am I the one pushing?

Leg it, leg it! Onward, Boz!

Woo!

Hey! Come here!

Give back me shopping!

Whoever said there's nothing
to fear but fear itself

has never worked with
Mancunian teenagers.

It's a big change for the staff.

And as well as winning
over familiar faces,

you need to earn the respect
of new recruits.

If you're not decisive,
if you're not clear from the start,

they will smell blood.

Come on, guys, this is crisps. You
know you're my favourite. I'm sorry.

And you've got to have eyes
in the back of your head,

cos there's always some funny
business going on.

Ugh, nope!

Anyone can steer a ship
when the sea's calm.

You've got to be able to steer
the ship when the storm's raging,

you're battered from all sides,

and you haven't even got a ship.

It's just you and a dinghy held

together with duct tape and tears.

Everyone wants a piece of you, Joe.

Trust, league tables, Department
for Education, staff, Ofsted,

and worst of all...

BOTH: Parents!

No matter how rough the water,

you must make sure that everyone
knows that you're still captain.

Have you nicked someone's shopping?

Sausage rolls! All right...

Hey, no, no! Hands off the produce!

Boz? I'm trying!
You could help, you know.

Well, I'm handling the cash,
aren't I?

Yo, if you don't calm down,

I'm going to start peppering these
eggs off at the lot of your heads.

Me calm down? You calm down!
You're stealing all my stock.

This is your school now. Own it.

Go out there and show them

what the new Waterloo Road Academy
is all about.

Er, yeah. Well, thanks, Steve.

I could not have done it
without you.

It's all down to your mentorship.

Well, you've been an excellent
deputy head.

You're ready to step up.

Play your cards right, and this role
could become permanent.

Joe, we need you. It's going off.

STEVE CHUCKLES

So it begins.

Thank you. Right.

SHOUTING

Hey! Who do you think
you're talking to?

Teachers are coming. All right, Boz,
move.

Oh!

No.

Right! Hey! The next person
to throw something

will face serious consequences.

What the...? Are you...?

It's not a coconut stall.

This is your school now,
and you can wreck it if you want,

but the only ones who'll
lose out are you.

Now get this cleaned up!

Hello! Oh!
THEY LAUGH

How come, right, term lasts
for ever,

but holidays are over
before you know it?

Oh, tell me about it!
Want to make a run for it? Mm!

We could be back at the Sunset Bar
before you know it.

Oh, I wish!

There's a delivery of spuds
out there with my name on it.

Oh, nice.

We've got house viewings later,
as well.

Unless you want to make your escape.

Nah. Course not!

I can't wait to have a place
big enough for all of us,

you know, some space for Izzy,
when she's here as well.

Even if means no more holidays
for a bit?

It's a big commitment.

Who needs sunset by the Med

when the kids all have
their own rooms, eh?

Back to reality! Ew!

I've taught you all of you
for long enough,

so don't even bother giving me
any fake names.

The first thing I'm going to be
teaching people on that list about

is our new behavioural sanctions.

Er, Dwayne? Dwayne?

Sorry.

Come on.

Er, Mr Weever, you weren't
involved? Nope.

Where's Miss Campbell?

Well, Miss Campbell is no longer
head at Waterloo Road.

I've stepped into her role,
but don't worry,

we'll be continuing to support you,
right?

I know it's unfortunate that

they had to find separate foster
placements for you and...Portia.

Just so you know I'm aware of it.
Whatever.

Oi, sir, check it out, yeah?

Not a stain on me, eh?

I think you call that growth, right?

Wah! Ah!

Right. Welcome back, Kelly Jo.

Yeah. Yeah. You, too.
Have a good day. You, too.

Val, we should... Yeah.

There you go. Cheers.

You all right down there?

Er, yeah. Yeah. I just, er...

I thought I'd, er,
dropped an earring.

Who's the suit?

Oh, he's quite dishy, isn't he?

Steve Savage, another head teacher
from one of the Academy schools.

They've got him in mentoring Joe.

Why?

No, I just didn't know
we had anyone in, that's all.

PHONE RINGS

See you in there.

Mum.

Yes, I got your message.

Well, I can't just drop everything,
can I?

Yes, I'm sure Debs would

if she wasn't living her best life
in Ibiza.

Well, it can't be gone.

Well, there was one when
we visited before the refurb.

Oh, God, this is ridiculous.

No, agreed. Should've had it
sorted before the opening.

Not...not the staffroom.

My car insurance up by, like,


It's almost as much
as the flaming car!

I am so sorry, everyone.
What a start!

Thankfully no-one was seriously
injured,

but we need to review
morning playground duty.

Er, sadly not much time
for the big pep talk.

Well, you have given us several.

Well, only to say

how proud I am of us all.

I don't think anyone was prepared

for what a Herculean effort it was,
moving school buildings.

Er, we've said goodbye to
much-loved colleagues,

Lindon and of course Kim.

Mm. Yeah.
Did everyone see her lovely email?

SOFTLY:
Yeah, just what I want to see.

Her and Andrew on a beach in Hawaii.

And, of course,

I would like to formally welcome
our new brilliant head of maths,

Nisha Chandra. Yeah, I know most
of you have met already but, erm...

Sorry, Joe. We were all
just wondering

why you wanted us to meet here?

What happened to our staffroom?

Yeah. Just coming to that,
thank you, Coral.

Well,
if you'd all like to follow moi...

As you've seen, the way
the Academy has been designed

is so that each department
has a breakout table.

That way we can have a smaller
communal space.

Come in. Come in.

Sorry, are...are you saying
this is our staffroom?

Well it's a "kitchen hub".
It's very on trend.

Er, you've got...

Well, look at this. Wow. Wow!

Your Barista Pro here...

COFFEE MACHINE WHIRS

Froth the milk up. Lovely, that.

And, erm... But, yes.
This is where you will, erm...

..well, refrigerate food,
make lunch...

It's a cupboard, Joe.

No, that's...
Where is our staffroom?

You know, the one with the sofas

and the...the computers
and the windows?

Yeah, well, it's currently
being refurbished...

Yeah.

..into a charging hub
for the students' tablets.

You are joking?
This is inhumane.

We're all supposed to squeeze in
here? What...? What...?

What about staff briefings?

Sod the briefings! Where are
we supposed to go for a gossip?

Have a cry?

Whoa, OK. I think we're getting
slightly carried away...

No. It's a legal requirement.

Statutory rest breaks
in an appropriate setting!

You cannot accept this.

I can, actually.

Yeah, well, there's
plenty of research that says

staff rooms are outdated

and they take teachers away
from students in need.

So you actually support this?!

BELL RINGS
Oh, there's...

There's just way more pressing
matters than where we have a brew.

Erm, look...

The priority is
making today a positive transition.

The power's gone to his head.

You're joking.

Whoa, Deano, lad.

Hey. Who is this man?

I didn't even know you were
coming back.

Neither did I, mate.

Yeah. You've been proper off-grid,
man.

What's been going on this
apprenticeship and that?

I thought you were off
earning the G's. Nah.

Apprenticeship's a con.

This old guy had me climbing
on crap, sweating over dryers,

for nothing.

Welcome back, sixth formers.

Hey, what do you think of
the new hang-out?

Pretty sweet, eh? Hmm?

Oh, Dean, looking good.
Thank you, sir.

Yeah. And I know you were
disappointed in your exams,

but maybe that's the wake-up call
that you needed.

There's still time to get the most
out of school

with the right attitude.

Yeah, remember
this is a trial day.

I'm ready to come back stronger.

But you'll see me
at the end of the day, yeah?

Oh...

So, what, Mr Casey's just
letting you into the sixth form?

Told him this sob story about
how I was depressed

and realised I'd ruined
my education.

Hey, we're going to rule
this school. Yeah.

I must admit, yeah,
it's a proper strong look, that.

I MOUSTACHE you a question...
Don't.

Does it come off? Don't.

Hey, it's coming up there
at the end. Stick it down.

Leave it, mate. What?

I found it too violent.
Felt unnecessary.

Think it needs a trigger warning.

Well, I thought it was well good,
miss.

Imagine if women could actually
electrocute men.

Like, erm... Like...

"Oi, what did you just say to me,
eh? Eh?"

And then...

Zz-zzz!

That's so cool.

What even is this book, miss?

The Power by Naomi Alderman.

Explores a dystopian world in which
women have more power than men.

The question explored here is,

would a matriarchal society be any
less violent than a patriarchal one?

Right, groups. This row...

No wait, wait...

Miss, do I have to?

HE MOCKINGLY IMITATES CRYING

Does she have to, miss?

You're in sixth form now.

I'm sure you can work together
maturely.

This row, this row.

You read a whole book?

You have to read the full book.
It's an English A-Level.

Have an informal discussion,

then mind-map keywords,

things that stand out
from the comments.

Libby,

phone away.

Amy, there you are.

Oh, er, I'm not... I'm not
stealing him. I just, er...

..needed a Yorick,
but his head won't come off, so...

Is everything OK?

I hope so.

I've got a voicemail from a lady

asking for a job reference for you.

Oh, right, that. Erm...

Look, I...I know the move
has been stressful

but Waterloo Road is more than
just bricks and mortar,

and you are part of that.
Joe, I'm not leaving.

You're not? No!

Oh, right.
Of course not. I just... I, erm...

I just need to take a second job.

Bar work, evenings and that.

Bar work? Why?

I've been struggling.

Student debt,
and I'm still on this ECT wage.

Bills are going through the roof,

and I've only just paid it off,
but I might have to sell my car.

I just feel like
I'm going backwards.

Look, maybe there is something
I can do. I could...

I could perhaps bump up your salary

with an extra responsibility
payment, like a TLR payment.

Like, for all the trips
that you co-ordinate.

You can do that?

Well, I could certainly
look into it.

Oh, thank you. Thank you so much.

That...that would be...
That would just be great.

Just...yeah,
keep it to yourself for now, right?

And you know, get out there
and focus on what you do best.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Oh, your... Oh!

That's not yours. Ha!

It's a good colour.

Hmm, I know.

Yeah, but that's what annoyed me.

There's not one nice bloke
in the book.

Yeah, but it's meant to
make you angry.

Yeah. Not all men think like that.

It's true, though.

It's biology.

Men are supposed to be strong,
to provide.

DEEP VOICE: "Me man. Huh!

"Cave man. Muh!"

So why do all girls want footballers
and millionaires?

What do men want, then?

Sex.

This is getting spicy!

What? It's obvious.

Girls use sex.

Telling me you can't get lads
to jump through hoops,

do whatever you want?

HE SCOFFS

It's like their superpower.

Some girls are the worst.

They'll do anything.

Zero class.

What are you on?

What?

Don't get mad at me cos someone's
finally called you out for it.

OK, everyone. We're going to
feed back what we've discussed.

I've been hearing lots of really
interesting conversation going on.

PHONE VIBRATES

Ahem.

Ahem.

So, who would like to feed back?

Just looking for initial
talking points,

different points of view.

Give me your phone! What?!

Give it. Hey!
Give me your phone!

Get off me! Give! Oi! Give! Miss!

Hey! Give me it. Give me your phone.
Miss!

What's up with her, miss?
Libby! Stop that.

There's nothing up with me.
He's been trolling me. Right.

Well, you can both go and see
Mr Casey.

There must be something here.

Well, he could have cleared it.

DEAN SCOFFS

Like I had time!

If I'm this mad stalker she's
on about, she'd find something.

OK, I...I think
we need to give Dean his phone back.

Look, I think emotions are high.

Yeah, but someone is sending me DMs,

and every time I block them,
they just set up a new account.

I keep getting calls
from different numbers and sims.

I can't take it any more!

Obviously, we take accusations
like this very, very seriously.

I'm not making it up!

No-one's saying that.

Do you still believe
that this is Dean?

Well, I...I don't know any more.

Right, OK. Obviously we want
to get to the bottom of this.

Dean, you can return to class,

but I want you to stay out of
Libby's way until we speak

at the end of the day.

Right, in the meantime,
I will refer you to Miss Chambers.

She's taken over as
pastoral support.

I am sure you are aware of
the advice -

save evidence, block, report.

Yeah. What is the point?

BELL RINGS

We're going to need a rota
to make a cuppa in here.

Watch your backs. Oh! Right...

Sorry, Marc.

Says here, apparently
it's at the discretion of the Trust.

Still would've expected Joe
to fight our corner, though.

Yeah, but he's one of them now.
So he'll toe the line.

That's probably why they picked him,
you know.

They want someone malleable.

Joe's like putty.

Come on, guys. We know Joe.

He's... He's all about taking
care of people.

Well, not any more.
He's sold out already.

Or been on too many management
courses.

No, that's not true.

I'm on my arse,
and he's helped me out.

Oh, yeah? How so?

No, I...er, I didn't mean... Just...

He saw me struggling and...

Struggling how?
Right, and he helped you?

What, financially...? No, no!

It was nothing like that.
It was just a little erm...

..a little, er...

..a TLR... A TLR?

For what?

Sorry, my point is, that...that
Joe has still got our backs, guys.

Hmm, apparently so.

What exactly did he offer you?

MICROWAVE BEEPS

Too hot!

STEVE: So, were you the one who
authorised moving the staffroom?

No. It had nothing to do with me!

I came in this week and there
was workmen ripping it out.

Should I fight
Serena Michelle on this?

Hey, this is typical of Academies.

More of a corporate environment.

Just got to decide
where your priorities lie

and do what you think is right.

Right, well, yeah.
I'll just have to stand firm.

Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. Whoa.

Can't just barge in here!
Er, well...

Steve, I'm going to have to go.

He did say the door was always open.

Er, if...if this is about
the staffroom...

Oh, it's bigger than that.

Cronyism.

"Trip coordination"?

The Williamson Art Gallery,
the British Museum,

numerous trips to local libraries.

Hamlet!

It has come to light

that you may have been using your
powers to help out your friends.

Sorry.

Right. OK.
Can...can we just take a breath?

Does that sound like something
I would do?

I just said that I would look into
compensating Amy

for a job she does.

That we all do!

So, I assume that we'll all benefit
from this TLR reward payment?

See, yes. Yes.

Yeah, of course, yeah.
It would be for all staff.

Well, at least that's
one matter dealt with. Oh.

BELL RINGS
Oh.

OK. Yeah.

See you later.

SHE MOUTHS

Pay bumps for all of the staff?

Don't. I know.

Are you drunk?

Don't fall!

Are you OK?

Look, no hard feelings, yeah?

If it means anything,
I know how it feels.

People looking down their noses.

Not giving you the respect
you deserve.

I felt like that.

Let people push me around.

Now I won't let anyone mess
with my life and get away with it.

Do you know what I mean?

It is you.

When they find out you and Boz
stole someone's shopping,

they might actually
chuck you out this time.

As if I care.

Why are you hanging round with
that idiot anyway?

Cos us care kids got to
stick together.

It's not like I see much
of my own sister any more.

So tight, splitting us up.

Yeah. It is out of order.

I'm stuck in a kids' home
with a load of sweats.

Hey, it's not easy for me either.

I'm in some stranger's place.

Feel weird even going in
the cupboards without asking.

And that Lucy,

always knocking on my door,
trying to be my best mate.

"Lucy. Lucy. Lucy."

Nah, it's not right, though.

I mean, we are family and we don't
even live together no more.

How messed up is that? I know.

See, this is why
I've been saving money, right?

I made another 40 quid this morning.

I am on it.

What are you talking about?

Well, I've been talking to
Uncle Rob.

Erm, you won't remember him,
but he's well sound.

Lives Blackpool way,
he's got a caravan.

He said we can live with him.
Serious? Well serious.

We can be together again.
All right?

Bike shed - lunchtime.

SOBBING

Erm...

Erm, hey.

Don't worry.
It'll all get sorted, yeah?

Erm...

OK. Erm...

Give me one second.

Here you go, you can have that.

You all right?

I don't think I've ever
seen you cry.

Yeah, well, your lucky day.

OK, do you want me to
go get someone?

Don't pretend like you care.

Well, I actually don't like seeing
people upset. Not like you.

You're probably in on this, too.
You and your psycho ex.

What are you on about? Dean.

He's trolling me with
disgusting messages and calls.

Are you saying you don't know?

No, I don't even talk to Dean
no more.

Why would I?

Look, I...I know that he is
an idiot,

but he wouldn't do that, Libby.

Yeah, no-one believes me.

I've barely been out.

I feel sick every time my phone
goes off.

And it's him. The look on his face!

He's actually enjoying this.

And it's what I deserve.

That's what...that's
what everyone thinks.

LIBBY SOBS

Is she asleep?

I think so.

Miss, we haven't even done
circle theorems yet.

The angle that lies between
a tangent and chord

is equal to the angle subtended
by the same chord

in the alternate segment.

I'll message you when I get there.

Izzy's gone.

You can't go as well.

I don't get what you're
actually going to do.

How are you going to survive?

Schuey's sorting it.

Schuey?

What about school? Your GCSEs?

Not like I'm going to
get anything good anyway.

You're mad.

How long do you think you're going
to last without an adult

to look after you, Portia?

You just don't get it.

I haven't got an adult.

What about your foster mum?

Not my mum. She's a weirdo.

Come on me period the other day.

Then she made a big deal of it.

Oh... Proper dying.

Put a soap bag in my room
with tampons and toiletries in it.

Why has she put my name
in everything?

So you don't lose your stuff.

No-one's done that for me before.

Just be careful, yeah?

Are you sure you want to go?

Why'd you never ask questions?

Where's the consultant now?

It's fine, it's just my BP again.

Well, you don't do yourself
any favours, do you, Mum?

I mean, ten cups of coffee a day.
No fruit, no veg.

Thought you'd have brought me some
of them trashy ones.

Celeb feuds and botched ops...

Excuse me, I left work for this.

How's it going?

Yeah.

Nice new kitchen, nice team.

But there's lots of
new systems and people.

Mum...

..do you remember Steve Savage?

Oh, yeah!
SHE SCOFFS

What rock's he crawled out of?

He's actually a head.

A head? What, of a school?

SHE LAUGHS

He used to sh**t at my chimney
with his air r*fle

and put frog spawn through my
letterbox. He was a little horror!

I remember you used to chase him
with your slipper!

Ah...

Well, not surprised
he's done well for himself.

He always had summat about him,
Steve.

You certainly thought so.

Ah, well...

That was a long time ago.

Exactly.

I've never seen you as happy

as you are right now with Donte.

And I'm not saying you're old...
Oh, here it comes!

..but there's only
so many times that comes along.

And when it does,

you have to hold on to it tight.

Oh, here we go. Ha!

"My lowest point was
stripping for £1."

That's more like it! Hey...

So, I think best way forward is
I take your concerns to the Trust,

see if we can find a middle ground.

Er... Oh, perhaps
we could split the room,

we could do, like, part staffroom,
part charging hub.

With all due respect, Joe,

I think what everyone's
looking for is a version of

what we had in the last school.

You know, a space where
we could have meetings.

Or a sanctuary where we could...

..we could get away from
the students.

Right, well, I'll take your comments
to Serena Michelle.

I'm sure we can find a solution
that appeals to everyone.

Er, the other thing that
I wanted to address

is the additional TLR payments.

Yes, we've just been discussing
this.

What's the criteria?

I know "trip coordination",

but what about the extra-curricular
stuff we do?

Yeah, cos I was thinking of starting
up a new lunchtime maths club.

You were?

Yeah, what additional bursaries
are the Trust offering, exactly?

They're not offering.

Yeah. What...what I...

..what I can offer are my apologies,
er, for any misunderstanding.

It's just...it...it is not viable...

..er, well, for anyone.

Have you even taken this
to the Trust?

Yeah, well, I...I said that I would
look into it and it's just...

It's just become clear that we are
way over budget already.

So, there's a budget
to tear down our staffroom

and give the students
a whole new IT suite...

Well, you...you...you...

..you have all signed contracts
to compensate you for your roles.

I'm going to have to sell my car.

It's out of my hands. Sorry.

Just how low down in the pecking
order are the staff here?

As teacher governor, Neil...
Oh, do not worry.

I am already dialling the number.

So, you're going to have to sell it,
yeah?

What car is it, out of interest?

Erm...

Watch where you're going!

Sorry, sorry, it was my fault.

It's all my fault.
You all right, mate?

Yeah, just, erm...yeah,
first day not going quite well.

Well, still time to turn it
around, mate.

Absolutely, yeah. It'll be fine.

I just need to get a handle
on things.

It's going to be fine.
Going to be fine.

Can't believe you're leaving me
here, man. Yeah. Sorry, mate.

Me and Portia have got to go.

Does this mean that I can have
your Xbox?

I keep telling you, it's not mine.
It's the home's.

So, here's your half of the money.

I know you can't count...

Eh? You can't count, can you?

I'll see you in a bit.
See you later.

HE LAUGHS

Game's over, Mr Weever.

At least your sister's got
some sense between her ears.

I couldn't do it, Schuey.

You can trust us.
Hiding things doesn't end well.

Yeah, well, neither does
talking to you lot, does it?

We'll need to inform Portia's
foster placement

and yours, Schuey.

How is the children's home?

Yeah, amazing, love it.

So they'll put me on
total lockdown again.

Thanks for that, Portia.

I'm sorry.

Portia did the right thing.

How far did you think you'd get?

Schuey, you cannot spend
your whole life running.

Sorry, Mr Casey.

Er, you need to call
Serena Michelle as soon as possible.

Er... Right, I'll get in touch
with the social workers.

They can be picked up later.

Right. Thanks, Val. Thank you.

Come on, both of you...

Apparently, Serena Michelle
has got a contact.

They've alerted her that
some of our staff

have been complaining
to their union.

Oh, one guess who that is.

I...

We haven't got a staffroom.

No, it's...it's like a cubby hole.
You couldn't swing a cat.

No, I'm not suggesting
I'm going to swing a cat.

I'm just saying, it's
tight for space.

No.

It's mad seeing you, you know.

You look, erm...

..different.

Yeah, well, no point moping about.

What do you want?

Just thought it would be nice to
chat, you know,

clear the air and that.

I didn't come back here for you,
you know.

So get over yourself.

Oh, wow, are these your new moves,
yeah?

Treat 'em mean, keep 'em keen?

Don't know what you're on about.

I kind of like it, you know.

The new opinionated you.

Like the 'tache too.

We all have to grow up eventually.
Mm.

Not like Libby.

Some things never change, you know.

I saw her bawling her eyes out
before in the toilets.

Like, hello, drama...

No surprises there.

Obviously if you act like she does,

you're going to have
a big hate following.

Yeah.

She even showed me her DMs, right?

Someone's proper trolling her...

Yeah?

Yeah. Hysterical.

Like, why would she expect me
to feel sorry for her?

You know?

I'm just happy someone's finally
calling her out for what she is.

Hey...

It's me.

What?

The DMs and that.

Wow. Does she know it's you?

No, I just keep setting up all these
different accounts. Why?

Why, Dean?

What?

That's not you, Dean.

What do you mean? It's just a laugh.
Yeah, well, that's weird.

That's, like, harassment...

Oh.

HE HITS TABLE
Oh!

Oh, well done, good one!

Is that what this is, yeah?

You're both trying to bait me?

You love it, you, don't you?

Playing the victim.

Oh, boo-hoo, poor you!

Oh, just leave her alone, man.

Yeah, I'm talking about you too,
Kels. What?

I'm the one that got chewed up
and spat out. Don't forget it.

What are you on about?
You cheated on me.

Oh, it's always the mind games
with you.

Always making me chase after you,
making me beg.

Like I was never good enough.

Even my baby weren't good enough
for you.

That wasn't it.

That wasn't it, and you know that!

Come on, mate, it's not worth it...
Get off me, man!

Don't you get it?

I've moved on.
I don't care any more!

So all girls are b*tches now, yeah?
Yeah.

I just say it how it is...

You are hiding behind
a computer screen,

talking disgusting things about her!

If it's a h*... What?!

..call it a h*.

What are you going to do? Hey! Hey!

Aww, are you going cry?
Oi, stop it! Go on...

Don't touch me!

What, Guthrie? What?!

SHOCKED GASPS

Stay still!
Don't touch me, sir. Get off me!

Stay down, son. Don't touch me!
Just stay down.

Get off me, sir. Stay down, son.

This doesn't sound like
a good thing, Joe.

It's just a miscommunication.

They've called their union.

Well, yeah.
I'm surprised as much as you...

You need to sort this out now!

It's an overreaction,

but rest assured, I'm handling it.

Well, you'd better...
Er, just a minute, Wendy.

Sorry. You need to hurry. Joe?

Excuse me, I'm talking to you, Joe.
Now.

Er, everyone, step back.

Right, move this minute, everybody!

Get your hands off me!
Calm down, son.

Please, sir. Please.

Neil! Neil, step back now.

Get off, man.

Dean, are you OK?

I didn't even touch him!

Well... Well, I did...
He slammed me to the floor, sir.

Sir, Dean was the one that...
Mr Casey...

Yeah, all right, I'll handle this.

All right, look, if I see anything
on social media... Need my bag!

Put your phones down now!

Dean, wait for me in Languages.

Miss Chambers will be
checking on you.

Go now.

Mr Guthrie, with me, please.

Right, go on. Back to lunch.

I've only just paid it off

and I can barely afford to put
any petrol in it.

I'm sure that'll buff out.

Mm.

It's just a lot less online.

Is it?

Well, I just had it serviced
and there's hardly any miles on it.

You know what?

No, I might leave it.

May as well lease.





Do you know what? I'm going to have
to take it for a test drive first.

Oh, it's nice.

He shoved me! I thought he was
going to lamp me one.

I used reasonable force.
He was on the ground.

He was clearly cowering. I know
Libby is your daughter, Neil...

No, no, no. It's not just
that he was threatening Libby.

I would have done this
with any other student.

Neil, look...

..I'm afraid I've got no choice
but to suspend you.

Sorry? Suspended without prejudice.

Right, this doesn't imply
that a judgment has been made.

But we...we have to show,
with the new school, I...

I have to make tough calls.

Have you completely lost the plot?

This is cos I called my union.

No. Absolutely not.

I'm really very sorry.

So, did Neil hit him?

Neil? Pfft! He couldn't punch air.

He pulled him away, I think.

No, we have to be allowed
to restrain 'em.

I've had chairs thrown my way,
I've had those little...

Know those little thumbtacks?
..put on my chair.

I had my car keyed.

My car.

We are allowed to control
or restrain

if it's used to prevent a student
from hurting themselves or others.

I just hope Joe sees Dean Weever
has no place in this school.

Neil. How are you doing?

Do you fancy a cuppa?

I saw Libby before, she's OK.

I've got to go and pack up my desk.

So, erm... I'm sorry,
but I can't talk.

Are you kidding...?

He's not suspended, surely?

Oh, no.

No, no, no. No way.

This is all wrong.

I'm sorry, but I was unfairly
suspended last term,

and now they're turfing Neil out!

For what?

Where's our protection?

We are not going to take this.

No way.

I've told you, she came after me,
like she did in class.

She's tapped! Everyone knows it.

I don't think you realise
how serious this is, Dean.

With Libby's allegation,
it's a police matter now.

I let you look at my phone.

You saw there was nothing there.

You know she's a liar!

I...

Er, Mr Casey, you're needed
downstairs. Oh, just...

Right, fill out the incident report.
And, hey, do not move,

cos I've not finished with you yet.

Hey. Don't sh**t the messenger. Ugh!

Did he even ask you for your side
of things? No, not really.

What is this? Is it true?

Are you really suspending him?

He can take you to the employment
tribunal for this.

Look, I can't discuss
Neil's investigation,

and I won't be harangued over
my every decision.

Would you have done this to Kim?
Kim was fair.

I know emotions are high

but I am accountable
to the...to the Trust. I've got...

You're accountable to us.

You're supposed to listen.
I have listened!

I've done nothing but listen to you
all complain about

every little thing all day. Little?!

Joe, we had a parent drive a car
into the playground

at the last school, and we were
promised our safety was a priority.

We have to know that
you'll support us,

that we're not going to get kicked
out for simply defending ourselves.

I mean, does our welfare
even factor here?

Well, apparently not, judging by
the box you call a staffroom.

Oh, right, this is about
the staffroom.

This is about feeling unsafe.

It's about us having serious
concerns about your leadership.

Right, well, erm...

..sadly, that is not up
for debate right now, so...

BELL RINGS

I'd like you all to return to work,
please, immediately.

I'm not returning to my post if
Neil's suspension is being upheld.

Well, unfortunately you have to,

because it is a legal requirement,

right, and I will not be
held hostage like this.

I'm so sorry, Neil.

No. No, no, no, no, no,
no, no, no, no, no.

Er...

It's not even...

Er, hello?

It's Mr Casey.
The lift's broken. I seem to be...

I'm stuck.

Er, Donte.

Oh, hey, listen.

MUFFLED: Right, erm, look, can you
call Donte? The lift's broke.

Can you hear him? So could you
call Donte, please? Now.

I can't quite make him out, no.
So please,

I don't like small... Sorry?

Sorry, what was that?

The lift is broken!

You can see what's happening.

Get Donte. Well, don't blame us.

We're not holding you hostage.
We're not.

Oh, come on, don't be ridiculous.

Please, come on.
This is not funny, this.

I mean, I'm not suggesting it,

but a broken lift, well, that's
a serious access issue, isn't it?

Oh, come on, Neil. I mean, is it
safe for the school to remain open?

You're right, Neil.

We do have a duty of care
to our students.

No. We have a duty of care...

I'm...I'm stuck in a lift, Coral!

I think we have no choice, really.

Right, I'm being serious now...
We'll have to close the school early

and wait until these safety concerns
are properly addressed.

Can somebody...? Yeah, great.
Good idea. Great idea.

Look, I'll sort the staffroom out.
Please, come on!

Guys... Can we even do this?

Amy, please, can you just call
Donte? I don't... Come on.

I'll, erm... I'll...

Let's go! What a day!

What about lessons? What
about shopping? Free pass, baby!

MEGAPHONE: No running!

That means you.

No running. Slow it down, please.

All students, please, no running.

School is dismissed, but homework
will be expected in tomorrow!

Please, no running
in the playground.

You are representing your school.

Joe. They're closing the school.

What?

The teachers are walking out!

What do you mean,
they're walking out? Well...

Well, stop them!
Well, it's happening!

The... Well...

Well, what should I do?

Joe?

BANGING

Come on. Come on!

Come on, just get me out
of the lift!

This is absolutely ridiculous!

Who made this lift?!

It don't even have a brand!
Course it don't have a brand,

because they don't...don't...

Come on!

What do you want?

Pretty little Libby.

Can do whatever she likes.

Let me past.

You've turned me into a right joke.
You know that?

You messed up everything.

You think you're so clever.

So special. Well, you're nothing
but a stupid little slag...

Hey!

..who no-one likes...

..who no-one believes!

We believe her.

You don't do that, Dean,
threaten a girl.

LIBBY SNIFFLES

Hey, I was only messing with her!
Messing.

You were scaring her.

You all right?

I can handle myself. I'm fine.

Hey, even playing the good guy,

it won't get you in
girls' knickers, Noel.

You're disgusting.

You need to call the police on him.

He's stepped way over the line here.

You're wrong for this one, Dean.

What are you on?!

What, Libby Guthrie?

You're going to rat on me for her?

It's not normal, Dean.
Yeah, she's right.

This isn't OK.
Sending me repulsive messages

and intimidating me.

And I won't let you get away
with this.

Get Mr Casey.
I want to speak to the police.

Hey, wait, wait, wait.

Wait, wh...?

Why's everyone freaking out?

It were only a joke.

Come on.

Yeah, I'm...I'm sorry.

I'm an idiot.

You know what I'm like.

Hey, you know what I'm like.

I were only messing with her, Kels.
You know what I'm like.

I thought I did.

Hey.

Hey, come on, bruv.

Not your bruv, yeah?

Not any more.

Get out my way, then, man.

Don't.

I...I want to speak to Mr Casey
and make sure it's reported.

He won't get away with it.

You all right?

Yeah.

Joe?

I thought I could do it.

Do you want me to call someone,
mate? Wendy?

I know these kids.

I know what they're capable of.

How about Mike?

You know, I believe in them.
I believe in this school, me.

Hey, come on, mate.
You haven't totally blown it.

Stuck in a bloody lift, Donte.

Look at me.

Staff have walked out,
school's shut.

I'm not the man for the job.

Hey, of course you are. Come on.

Let's get you out of here. Come on.

That's it, big lad.

Ah! Oh, I've got you.

Come on.

It's all right, come on.

JOE MUTTERS
I've got you.

I'm sorry.

You think Lucy's place is for ever?

Portia, it's foster care.

They're only going to bump you
from one place to the next.

I want to feel...safe.

You and dad fighting...

Kept him away from you, though.

Hey, I could ask Lucy
if she could take you in too.

You don't you get it.

She could have taken us both
IF she wanted to.

Anyway,

you enjoy your lovely holiday.

Well, obviously it's not good,
I'm not going to lie.

But it's day one, Joe.

Have you ever known an entire staff
walk out on a head teacher?

I thought I could be what
they needed, but I'm...

I'm just not ready.

It's a process.

Nobody walks in
and wins everybody over.

It takes time, it... You've got
to find your leadership style.

Waterloo Road doesn't have time.
The Trust want results.

And I can't bed in and find my feet.

I've made too many mistakes today.

Let's be honest,

probably
on the chopping block already.

I better make the call
to Serena Michelle.

I better get on finding the staff.

Good luck with that.

Oh, yeah. Don't worry.

I'll find 'em.

DOOR CLOSES

PHONE RINGS

Hello?

Yeah, why? What is it?
Is she all right?

Why? Why, what's happened?

What? No, just tell me now!

Nicky Rafferty?

I didn't know you worked here.

What's wrong?

Er...

It's my...mum.

They said she's had a stroke.

I was just with her.

OK. Where...where is she now?

She's gone.

The consultant said
they tried to save her.

Oh, Nick. I'm so sorry...

Oh...

Oh, I'm sorry.
This is weird, I'm sorry.

No, no, don't be. God.
You've just lost your mum.

I remember her
like it was yesterday.

I don't know what to say. I...

I can't believe it.

I need to tell the kids.

And my sister's in Ibiza and I don't
know how she's going to get here.

OK. OK. Nick?

What's going on? Hey...

I'll, er... I'll leave you to it.

I'm so sorry.

SHE SOBS

What... What's happened?

It's my mum.

ALL: Cheers!

Hey, it started with the staffroom.

They thought they could divide
and conquer,

but we're stronger together.
Viva la revolution!

THEY CHEER

No-one crosses that picket line
until Neil is reinstated

with a full, grovelling apology!

Oh, I do feel bad for Joe.

I just hope they're not
too hard on him.

If we don't make a stand at the
beginning then we're all screwed.

Well, I want to just thank
everyone.

It means a lot to know the lengths
you'd go for me.

Please. Afternoon off with
my best friend?

Get over yourself!

That was all very dramatic,
wasn't it?

Why are you here?
I'm here from the Trust

to find out what you lot
think you're playing at.

What we're playing at is
standing up for our rights.

We will not have our voices
silenced or dismissed.

Not when one of our own is...is
threatened with as*ault,

unfairly dismissed... Hear, hear.

Wrongful suspension from duty.

He could take you to the cleaners.
Mm. I'm sure you've heard of

a little thing called the
Burgundy Book,

which clearly highlights our
employment rights and protections.

Oh, I'm familiar.
It's a cracking read.

I particularly love the section
on your conditions of service,

which you are all in serious
contravention of.

Allowing children to go home
without authorisation.

What were you thinking?

By your behaviour today,
you've left yourselves wide open

to possible internal
disciplinary procedures,

dismissal, even legal action.

This could get very messy.

Surely the Trust can't take legal
proceedings against all of us?

You know, if...if we weren't
directly involved.

Look, I don't want to start a fight

with the people who
keep this school alive.

Much better for all of us
to find a peaceful resolution

and ensure that this sort of thing
never happens again.

So, let's take a breath.

I'm here and I'm all ears.

Who wants to talk first?

You know, I've got your back
with the whole Dean stuff

when they interview you.

But we're not mates. Yeah?

You do get that, right?

Yeah. That is fair.

I know I hurt you.

I am...sorry.

Whoa.

Wow.

That looked really painful! Oh...

You're just you,
and everyone loves you for it.

Yeah.

You don't realise not everyone
finds it that easy.

I think I was just a bit...

..jealous.

Only a bit, though.

Right, watch.

CHEERING AND LAUGHTER

What have I just seen?

THEY LAUGH

How are you doing, Joe?
Yeah, yeah, good, yeah.

How's the, er...how's the mutiny
going?

Sorry.
No, I...I just wanted to, erm...

..well, let you all know
that I will be stepping down.

You already know. Right.

Neil, I...I just...

I mishandled you're suspension.

Serena Michelle agrees, and...

..well, all I can do is apologise,
mate. I...

Dean is...is permanently excluded.

It's OK. Thank you, Joe.

I think I just...I lost my way.

That...that is not the head
that I want to be.

Right, I'll...I'll take my time,
I'll learn the lessons and we'll...

I... I'm sorry it's come to this.

Yeah. We all are.

Afraid it's too early to say
who my replacement'll be.

Let me buy you a drink, Joe.

Whoever it is, I just hope
it's not some corporate type.

Mm.

Maybe I could even
put my hat in the ring.

No, honestly, I should go.

I need to prep for handover,
try and butter up the new head,

see if I can stay on as deputy.

There's no easy way of saying this,
Joe, but, er...

..well, the Trust have approached me
to step in as head.

Oh, wow. Already? I mean...

..I mean, you'll be excellent.
It wasn't an easy decision.

They just need somebody who knows
their way around the Academy system.

And, well,
I could never resist a challenge.

Right, yeah.
Well, safe pair of hands.

But I want you to know
that your job is safe.

Nobody knows Waterloo Road like you.

I need you.

Oh, Steve, th-thank you.

That is a massive relief, obviously.

You realise...

..well, I didn't know any of this
was going to happen, don't you?

Yeah, course. Yeah.

I've got your back.