Original subtitles

- I'll have to take maternity leave. - Is that good news?

- It's Max's.

- You've got Jo's purse, haven't you?

- I don't know what you're talking about.

- Oh, come on, Ruby, I know you nicked it.

Will you go out with me tonight?

- Get lost.

OK, yeah, I will.

- It's my first scan. It's just,

it's not how I imagined it to be...

on my own. - Well, I'll come...

if you want.

CAR HORN BEEPS

- Come on, Aiden, out of the way!

- HORN BEEPS AGAIN

- Come on!

- It's all right for you two, innit?

- What?!

- Ros McCain.

- Sir?

- Don't look so worried.

Your essay - I really enjoyed it.

- Did you? - It's a brilliant piece of writing.

You must have read a lot around the subject.

- A bit.

- Have you thought about university?

What you might like to study, where?

- Not really. - Well, you should.

That essay was Oxbridge entrance standard.

- As if! - Yes, it was.

Have a little bit of confidence. You should be setting your sights high.

- Swot!

- Oh, I'm still waiting for yours, Michaela. Any chance I could have it some time this term?

- Oxbridge, eh? Teacher's pet. - Brainiac.

- Maybe I just like doing my work.

What's so wrong with that? - He just fancies you.

- Get off my case.

- So, was that last week's essay?

He's probably not read mine yet.

- Beautiful.

- Nice! Don't forget basketball club tonight,

and don't be late. - Yeah, man. - Sound.

- You'll be there, won't you?

- I don't know, I've got loads on.

- Well, so have I. Do it after.

I'll give you a lift back. We can go home together. - Yeah, maybe.

- Oi!

You coming tonight? - Maybe.

- Maybe? - Maybe.

- Hey!

- I am so sorry.

- You got a problem or summat?

- No, she hasn't, I'm sorry.

My intention is to get a Head Chef on board who can also double as a Healthy School Coordinator.

I'm going to have interviews all day, I'm going to be up to my ears.

So, if there's anything else? - Yeah, there is one more thing.

Ros McCain.

- Wow, that's impressive. - Exceptional. She's leaving everyone else behind.

We have to do something for this girl. She's not just bright, she's extraordinary.

- Well, she's clearly university material.

- She's more than that. She's Oxbridge.

It's the best and she's the best.

- That will be a first for

Waterloo Road. - Exactly. Which is why

I think we should push through this APU scheme that I've proposed.

- Just talk us through it one more time.

- Advanced Preparation for entrance to Oxbridge and the top universities.

Extra tuition, visits to the universities, practice interviews and exams.

- You're talking about committing all these extra resources and money into literally one student.

- Hmm, Kim has got a point there. We can't be seen to cherry pick

one student for extra attention.

- Why does this school always pander to the lowest common denominator?

- It's the principle. We are inclusive, we're not selective.

- But these top universities ARE selective. That's how they work.

- Well, we can't look like we're closing the door on any of our pupils' aspirations.

- It is a potentially sensitive issue there.

- Ros has every chance of getting to Oxford or Cambridge, but she lacks confidence.

She needs more time and input to give her that extra push.

Surely we have to help the brightest pupils as well as

the most challenged?

- Yeah, I get your point.

OK, Chris, set it up.

What's a "bedder"?

- It's like your own personal cleaner.

They make your bed and clean your room every day.

- You're joking? - No. My cousin's

friend knew someone that went there.

They don't want you to have any distractions, they just want you to concentrate on your studying.

- What's this? - The Ivory Towers. - The what?

- Oxford and Cambridge, where Ros and I are going.

- Where we might apply to, Philip. - You're not as clever as you think you are, you know.

- Yeah and what idiot'd want to spend three more years studying, anyway? - A loser who knows the better degree

you get means the more money and better job you're likely to have.

- You know what you need, Ryan?

School Of Life. You can't learn everything from books.

- No. Which is why Mr Mead's given us high fliers a bit extra.

- Like what? - Special treatment, I expect.

Perks. Rewards. Privileges.

Just for us gifted types.

- Treats for geeks? Wouldn't want 'em anyway!

Oh, dear! Moonlighting taking its toll?

Your cab business? - I've stopped.

Can't drive a taxi if you haven't got a car.

It was my sister's. I borrowed it when she went on holiday.

- I never thought you were really cut out to be a cabbie. Anyway,

you've got this job, Rubes, why

don't you concentrate on that? - Yeah.

- What's all this? Applying for a post-grad course?

Mature student? - I'm going to get

one of our students into Oxbridge. - Square peg, round hole. Dream on.

- See, that is exactly the kind of prejudice I'm trying to get rid of.

- It's not prejudice. It's geometry.

- It's a world of "we can" now, Grantly, not "we can't". You need to move with the times.

- I applaud your idealism, but it'll all end in tears.

- Oh, miserabilist!

- You'll give them a false sense of their own potential.

Unleash dangerous dreams.

- What's the idea?

- More support of our brightest pupils to get them up to the standard of the top-league universities.

- What kind of support?

- Well, the stuff that kids at private school get as a matter of course.

The first thing I want to do is set them up with individual tutors.

- And the tutors get what out of this, precisely?

- Job satisfaction, Grantly.

- Count me out. Sounds suspiciously like charity. I don't do charity.

- You know what, I think it's a wicked idea, Chris. I'll be a tutor.

- Yeah, I'm in too.

- Great.

- Looks like you've got a cling-on!

- OK, everyone, quieten down, please.

Take your seats. Right, on your table, you should all have mirrors.

I want you to pick one up, take a look into it and draw what you can see, OK?

- Oi, oi, oi...

Do either of you girls fancy one?

- Eew, are you mad? - No...

I meant one of these.

- Aiden...

what are those?

- Nothing.

- They're confiscated, come on.

- BELL RINGS

OK, I'll see you both at break.

- Yeah, definitely. See you.

- What's this?

- It's a scheme to help students doing university entrance. - Can - I - join?

- Er... I'm not really sure it would benefit you.

- So, time off and trips, career advice and more free periods wouldn't benefit me, sir?

- And what about extra homework, essays, extra reading?

This is hard-core academic stuff.

I don't think it would suit you.

- I want to be on the scheme.

- Look, I can only take on the really serious, consistent high achievers,

Michaela. I'm sorry.

- Are you saying I can't go to university, sir?

- No, not at all. Well, there's hundreds of universities out there,

and with a bit more effort, you could get a place if you want one. But this is for

students who want to go to the really academic establishments.

- So, better universities for better students?

- Not everyone is, or wants to be an academic high flier.

- Well, you can use your big words all you want, I know what you're saying.

He's saying...I'm thick! - No, I never said that.

- So, how do YOU know what I'M capable of, if you won't even let me try?

- Because this requires intense private study and commitment.

- Right, so I'm lazy now too? - No, of course not. Don't be stupid.

- Stupid?

He called me stupid. You calling me

stupid, sir? Because I'm not stupid!

- What's going on? - He's excluding me from the APU scheme!

He won't even let me have a go. What gives you the right

to choose who can and can't go to university?

- I haven't said you can't go to university!

- Can you all go to class, please? We don't need an audience.

- I want to be on the scheme. - We need to discuss this.

- You know, it's such a shame, because I really wanted one. - Ignore her.

- Did YOU want one? - No.

- I can get you one if you want one. - No, it's OK, honestly.

- But I'll get a fresh batch by break.

- No. - I'll phone my dealer.

THEY SNIGGER

Mum...

Where are you? I need some more doughnuts now!

Just call me.

- Psst.

Psst. Oi!

Bolton.

BOLTON!

Sign this.

- I don't want to go to university anyway.

- So?

It's not the point. You're not being given the choice, even if you did want to go.

It's inequality!

Go on, sign it.

Look, it'll be a laugh.

It'll wind Mr Mead right up.

Go on, just sign it!

- Sign that and pass it on.

- Karla!

Are you on the APU scheme?

Well, you should be.

You've got the best memory in the class. It's outrageous.

It's wrong and they're repressing you!

Just sign that and pass it on, yeah?

- Michaela... Is there a problem?

- No, sir.

- Hi, I've got an interview with Rachel Mason.

I'm a bit early. - Name?

- Adam Fleet. Chef. - I've not got you down for another hour.

- I like to be early.

- You'll have to take a seat.

- Miss, I was just wondering if I could borrow some card

and some sticks?

We're doing some banners for English.

- Yeah, well, help yourself to card.

Will that do? - Yeah, thank you.

- Well done. You're brilliant. Come on.

- Yoo-hoo! Yoo-hoo!

Aiden! - Can I help?

- I'm just...

- I thought you weren't going to come.

- Oh, I'm sorry, darling. I were at work.

I had to find an excuse to come out.

- So, where are they? - Oh, yes.

- What's these? - Well, I couldn't get to Bertie's.

Well, I wouldn't have got here in time.

- But I've promised the girls doughnuts. - Oh, I'm sorry.

- It's OK, we really don't mind.

- Can you not get anything right? - Well, they're nice. I got a lot.

Look, I'm sorry, I did try my best.

What happened to the others? - Teacher

took them off me, didn't she?

- Because we're not allowed to eat in class.

- Do you want me to have a word with them?

PHONE RINGS

Look, I'm going to have to

get going, sweetheart, I'm late.

Look, if you change your mind,

you let me know, OK? ..Hello, I'm sorry...

- She is so lame!

- My mum would kill me if I talked to her like that!

Sad little playground scene.

Fat boy buys friendship by sharing out his treats. Tragic.

- He really does not need those extra calories. - What is he doing?

I've confiscated them already!

- Well, are you going to let him get away with it?

- Oh...

Ruby...

Ruby, can you come and give us a hand?

- Idealistic young teacher breaks up group and destroys only happy moment

in fat kid's day.

- CHANTING: - What do we want? - Equal opportunities! - When do we want them?

- Now! - What do we want?

- Equal opportunities! - When do we

want them? - Now! - What do we want?

- Equal opportunities! - When do we want them? - Now!

- What is going on here?!

- What do we want? - Equal opportunities! - When do we want it? - Quiet! - Now! - What...do we want?!

- Equal opportunities!

- When do we want it? - Now!

- Excuse me, do you know if we're running on time?

- I'd tell you if we weren't. - I mean, have I got time for a little look around?

I won't go far.

- I'll see if anyone's free to take you. - Thank you.

- When do we want it? - Now!

- What do we want? - APU! - When do we want it? - Now!

- What do we want? - APU! - Right, can we break it up now, please?

- # We will not, we will not be moved... #

- What's going on, sir? - A lot of noise and very little else.

That's enough now, Michaela. Well done. You've had your moment. - No, sir.

We're not moving till our demands have been met.

Say no to grade discrimination! - Say no to grade discrimination!

- Say no to grade prejudice! - OK, OK. - Say no to grade prejudice!

- Say no to grade discrimination! - Move out of the way! - Say no to grade discrimination!

- Say no to grade prejudice! - Say no to grade prejudice!

- Aiden, what are you doing with those?

- Enjoying them.

- No, they were confiscated. - No, they weren't!

- I think it's time you handed them over, come on.

Have you got any idea how many calories there is in just one of these?

- Are you calling me fat, Miss?

- SNIGGERING

- Aiden, I am not concerned about your size, I'm concerned about your health.

Mrs Fry, how many calories would you say there is in one of these?

- A quarter of a child's daily intake.

- Seriously? - Really?

I've had two already! - Well you know, it's nothing that a good half an hour's exercise wouldn't run off.

- Well, then, two laps round the field, come on!

- When was the last time YOU did some serious exercise, Aiden?

Look, Mrs Fry, would you have a little chat,

explain the benefits of healthy eating?

- No, I've got quite a lot on at the moment, actually.

- Oh, right. Thank you very much.

Well, if it's not something that you cover...

Look, when the new Healthy School Co-ordinator starts,

I'd like it if you went in and had a chat with them, OK?

- Erm...what? - Has Rachel not mentioned it to you? - No.

- Oh, right. Well, she's interviewing now for a new head chef and they're

also going to double up as a Healthy School Co-ordinator.

Going to head up the policy on food and nutrition.

- Right, just leave Aiden to me. We're going to have a chat, it's going to

be very beneficial. All right?

- Well, can I have them back then?

- Later.

HE SIGHS

- What do we want? - Equal rights! - When do we want them? - Now!

- What do we want? - Equal rights! - When do we... - All right, everybody,

calm yourselves down. I want this to stop!

- Now! - What do we want...? - I think

Mr Mead's gone for Miss Mason, Miss.

- When do we want them? - Now! - What do we want? - Equal rights! - That is enough!

- When do we want them? - Now! - Enough! - APU!

- APU! APU! APU!

APU! APU! APU! APU!

APU! APU! APU! APU!

- CHEERING

- OK, thank you, that's enough.

What's going on? Can somebody please tell me what's happening here?

- It's a peaceful protest, Miss. We want our voices to be heard.

We're not doing anything wrong. - So, what's it about?

- HE is labelling us second-class citizens. Us and Them.

A and B. Clever and Thick. University and Who Cares?!

It's segregation, innit? - ALL: - Yeah!

OK, OK, you have been heard.

Right? Thank you very much.

Let's break this up now and get back to your lessons.

Miss Campbell, Mr Mead and I will have a look at your demands.

Right? We'll let you know our decision later.

- THEY CHEER

- We'll get this sorted out.

How the hell did this happen?

- Ask him. You say we can't fail Ros.

Fine. But we can't fail students like Michaela either.

She felt excluded, that's where all of this has came from.

- No, this has came from Michaela's desire to cause trouble!

- And why do you think she wants to cause trouble?

You made her feel inferior!

- I don't think so. - Chris, you did!

By not letting her on that scheme, that is like a vote of no confidence.

- How can we have confidence in grades that are consistently low?

- You know, intelligence isn't always about grades.

- No, in an ideal world, it's not. But grades are important to universities,

and this is about university!

- Does Michaela want to go to university?

- No. She's being disruptive and destructive.

- She's being creative and assertive.

Aiden, what are you doing in here?

- Nothing.

- Well, it can't be nothing, it must be something.

- I just wanted to know why you called me fat, Miss?

- I didn't. I didn't call you fat, Aiden.

I said I was concerned about your health.

- I get low blood sugar.

I need to eat. I can't help how I am.

- Well, I think that you can, if you wanted to.

If you just went to a few more of the sports classes, maybe cut back on the snacks.

- Aiden, Miss Campbell will come and find you later, OK? You can talk about it then.

- Where are you when I need you?

I want you to ring the school.

You need to complain.

I'm being bullied.

It's by this teacher called Miss Campbell.

She called me fat in front of all the other kids,

and she says it's my fault.

I need to talk to you, Mum.

- I opened up the scheme, as suggested.

Philip's on it.

- Philip! Our most middle-class pupil from a university family.

- Ros isn't though, is she? She's a genuinely bright, working-class kid!

I've got a mix, Rachel. - Oh, come on,

Chris, it's pretty token.

What about our under-privileged kids? They should be getting the advantages

that pupils like Philip get for nothing.

- Kim, I hear what you're saying, but the simple fact is, not all

our kids are cut out for Oxbridge.

- No, I know, and I'm not saying that.

But it's our duty to nurture any ambitions that any of them might have.

- Yeah, but there's a difference between nurturing ambition and encouraging false dreams!

One is kind, the other is cruel!

- No, one is egalitarian and one isn't!

The scheme has got to be opened up...

properly. For all university entrants.

Never mind all this Oxbridge elitist stuff! - OK. OK, that's enough.

We need to set up a process of application to get on this scheme.

Then all the kids who want to be considered can have a shot at it.

- OK. - Right.

I need to get back to these interviews, it'd be really great if I can trust you two to deal with it.

- And this is our Food Technology department.

- May I help you? - Oh, are you Mrs Fry?

- And you are? - Adam Fleet. Head Chef.

I'm being interviewed today. - Ruby.

It's nice to put a face to the name that the Head and I will be discussing later. - Ah!

- ..Thanks very much, Andrea.

I can look after Mr Fleet now, if that's all right? - Sure, no problem.

- Interesting school. - Challenging.

- I expect you have quite a lot of diet-related behavioural problems,

ADHD, ADD, violence, depression, aggression?

- You know a lot about children and behaviour, do you?

- Well, I used to be in your shoes, before I started as a chef.

- What was your background, Mr Fleet, if you don't mind me asking? - Of course not.

It's been quite a journey. I began as a teacher. Food Technology, like you. - Right.

- But I always wanted the buzz of a kitchen,

so I left and trained as a chef.

Then I decided I missed working with the kids, so I started as

a youth worker in my spare time.

Disadvantaged teens, you know? I love it. And now, I want to get

back to working with them full time.

But yeah, I think there's a lot we could do here. A lot of improvements we could make.

- You know, that's absolutely fascinating.

Listen, why don't you pop in with me and tell me a bit more about it?

- Well... - No, no, don't worry about

your interview, they'll be running late anyway. And, erm...

if you sit in on my next class, then you get a chance to meet the children as well.

- Well, that would be great. But are you sure that's OK?

- Oh, absolutely, yes. My pleasure.

- Maybe just for a few minutes then. Yeah, great, thank you. - OK.

- Interviews?

- We have to interview to get on the scheme? - Hey, you're always going to get in, aren't you?

It doesn't make any difference to you. - Oh, well, we've done it!

This is exactly what we wanted, the APU scheme open to anyone!

- Look, it's just political correctness. Box ticking.

They're wasting their time! - Yeah. Too right they are.

Come on. We'll all do it, it'll take them all week to get through us.

- I don't think so. - Nope, definitely not me, sorry.

- Well, you will, won't you? We can't stop now!

- But I hate interviews, they're scary.

- Looks like you'll be representing the underprivileged alone!

- It's just talking. All we've

got to do is give them a hard time.

- It's a prop.

- Right, we take turns with our questions and we give each other space, yeah?

- All right.

- Hi, Danielle.

Why do you think that you are university material?

- I'm not sure I am.

- Erm...

- Because you told me I was.

- To tell you the truth, I'm only here because Michaela made me, so...

- Yeah. Go on.

- I want to be an international lawyer.

So, I thought I could do a language degree and then...a law conversion course.

- At the moment, I'm applying to get onto the scheme that prepares me

for university entrance.

If I get on, then I'll be in a better position to answer that question.

- Michaela, why do you think that you are university material?

- Why wouldn't I be? - Can we have

a little bit less attitude, please?

- Look, this is an opportunity for you to...

well, prove to us and to yourself that you deserve a place, OK?

So, why do you want to go to university?

- Better education equals better jobs, better money, better lifestyle,

better all round.

I have got ambition.

- And what do you think you have to offer a university?

- Myself.

- Right, everyone, gather round. I'd like to introduce you to somebody.

This is Mr Fleet and he is a professional chef.

He's taken time out to come and have a chat with you today. - He's buff!

- No, he's not!

- I'm going to observe you, if that's all right with you, by way of an informal interview. - Sure. OK.

Erm... All right. Hi, kids, let's take a look at this recipe here.

Now, can anyone tell me what it's for?

Come on, take a guess.

- Aiden, would you like to read it out for us? - Excellent.

- Erm... Water, rehydrated rusk, dextrose, stabiliser,

raising agent, pork rind, pork fat, filled in beef protein casings.

- Urgh! What are filled in beef protein casings?

- That's bits of the beef carcass that can't be used for meat. Like the bones, the gristle, the hooves. - Ugh!

- Carry on, Aiden. - Erm, antioxidants,

sugar, colour and yeast extract.

- Is it dog food, sir? - No.

Come on, someone else have a guess.

- A biscuit?

- It's something most of you eat pretty regularly.

- Sausage roll? - ALL: - Eurgh!

- Sausage roll.

And that is what's in it. So, you are what you eat. Think about it.

- Well, thank you very much, that was very informative.

Now, if you could just stay a moment longer...

- No, I'm going to have to go. - Oh...

Is this a question?

- A question is a sentence with an inflection at the end,

concluding in a question mark, which requires an answer.

Unless the question is rhetorical, in which case, the answer is implied

by the question or questioner.

So, yes, your sentence could be described as a question.

- Is THIS a question?

- Is this necessary?

- Is THIS a question?

- You've been reading the Oxbridge horror stories on the internet, haven't you?

- Is this a question?

- If this is an answer. - Huh!

Spot-on.

- We called your name. I had to give your slot to another candidate.

- Right. Is there any chance I could be seen later?

- It's unlikely.

I'll see what I can do.

- Thank you.

- Why don't you grab yourself a coffee in the canteen?

- Erm...

- I'll come and get you. - Thank you.

- This is a bomb.

- You all right?

- This is a bomb.

- It's a ball.

- I'll get it.

- Yeah, I know. It's a bomb.

And if it was a bomb, I'd throw it out of the window.

Which is apparently how someone passed his Oxford interview.

- This is a bomb.

SHE SCREAMS

- Where do you see yourself in ten years, Phil?

- With a beard.

- THEY LAUGH

Thank you.

- Erm...in a job, I suppose.

God, I'll be 27!

- Thank you.

- In a French-speaking North African

country, working in human rights.

- Brilliant. Thanks, Ros.

- Thank you, Ros.

- I...don't know.

- Well, what would you like to be doing?

- I know what I don't want to be doing.

- OK, what's that?

- Raising three kids in a one-bedroomed flat.

No bloke. No job.

- So, what would you like?

- Well, I suppose I'm good at telling people what to do.

I know it's usually just for a laugh, but...

..I could make a good boss, couldn't I?

Yeah. I'd like to have my own business.

- Thank you, Michaela.

- # ..Floating somewhere in-between Life is life, dreams are dreams... #

- He's here, he's here.

- OK, I've got the results from your interviews.

Michaela, don't you want to hear how you did?

Congratulations. You four got through.

- Are you serious? - Yeah.

- I got through? - You did very well.

- Oh, I'm going to university!

- No, whoa, hang on. I haven't finished!

It isn't a fait accompli yet.

- A what? - It's not all sewn up yet.

- Congratulations on getting through part one.

- You mean there's more?

- Yeah. Stage two.

There'll be a written paper after lunch.

- Like an exam?

- Erm... Think of it a bit more as a chance to express your opinions.

It's not testing your knowledge, more a chance to... show your powers of analysis.

- What's that?

- Your ability to argue.

- You should be all right then! - Shut up.

- The subject's going to be...

"The past, the present, or the future - which has most value to you, and why?"

I want you to use your lunch break to make any notes, do some research

and plan your essay.

Well done, all of you, and good luck with the paper!

# ..Life is life, dreams are dreams

# And I'm floating somewhere in-between

# Somewhere in-between... #

- Come in.

- Have you got a moment, Miss?

- Yeah, course I have, come on in.

You did really good today, you know. - Thanks.

Do you really think I can go to university?

- I think you've got so much potential, you could do anything you put your mind to.

- You're not just saying that, are you? - No.

- Right, well, will you help me with the next bit then?

- What next bit? - The exam.

- What exam?

- The exam Mr Mead told us about.

- When did he tell you about that?

- Before. I find it harder to express myself

and argue on paper, so I wondered if you have any tips?

- Erm...

Yeah, just the best thing is to keep it clear and simple. Write it as you'd speak it.

You know, don't try and be too literary.

Bookish. - Right.

- And make sure you use your own voice. - OK.

- Don't get intimidated by the exam conditions.

Keep confident, just be yourself.

That's the key to your success. - OK.

- You've got a really good opportunity here, make the most of it.

What's this essay? You didn't mention that earlier!

- Ah, yeah. Erm, Michaela...

literally thought that that was it, that she had a university place!

Well, I couldn't let her believe that. It's deceitful. I'm only protecting her, Kim.

- Well, shouldn't you have discussed it with me first, never mind Rachel?

- Yes. Yeah, I should have done, and I apologise.

But Rachel wanted a proper application process. This is it.

We can't just let them through on interview, Kim.

Universities test academically.

To let the kids think otherwise is setting them up for a massive fall.

- Hang on, Michaela

has just proved that she has got

as much right to be on this scheme as anybody else! - No.

She's proved that she's quick-witted and she's got the gift of the gab.

She's street and she's smart, but she's not academic.

And as much as I'd love to be proved wrong, Michaela just won't get the grades that they ask for.

- We'll cross that bridge when we get to it, but for now, we have got a student who has all of a sudden

got this ambition and drive and

instead of encouraging her, you want her to fall at the first hurdle!

- You're missing the point. - No, you are, Chris!

- Right, Kim, just calm down.

I don't want you getting all het up.

- My God, you really are like this...

sexist, elitist, prejudiced... - OK, thank you.

Can I get a little word in here?

I've got Aiden Keen's mum downstairs in a fury.

It's very difficult, Kim, because now SHE'S saying

you called Aiden fat.

She's accusing you of bullying and prejudice, so shall we deal with it?

- Prejudice.

Your favourite subject.

- What was all that about? - Ah!

That, Grantly, was the courtship tango. - Pah!

- The dance of seduction performed before our very eyes.

- Right. It couldn't possibly have been a row, then?

- No, Grantly, it couldn't. Those two are mad about each other.

They just don't know it yet, it's only a matter of time.

- And you'd care to place a wager

on that, would you? - No, I would not,

because you would hire a honey trap to keep them apart if you thought you might win a bet.

So, let them get on with it.

- I haven't got all day, you know,

I'm due back at work!

- I'm sorry to keep you waiting, Mrs Keen. Er, Kim Campbell.

- Oh, so it's you who's been giving my son so much grief?

- I'm not sure what Aiden's said, but obviously, there are two sides to every story.

- What? You're accusing him of being a liar now as well, are you?

- I really don't think that was Kim's intention.

- Well, it's what I heard. If it wasn't what she meant, she ought to be more careful with her words!

- Aiden got a little bit upset this morning when I confiscated

some snacks from him that he was eating in my class.

It was a small thing, but then I had to have a word with him

when he stole the bag back.

- Oh, so he's a thief now as well, is he?

Well, I'm sorry, but you've got my son wrong.

He never nicked that bag back!

- I'm afraid he did, Mrs Keen.

- Well, what's them there, then?

I brought him in the snacks he had at break! I brought in sausage rolls.

Them in there is doughnuts.

- Doughnuts. - I'd like an apology, please.

- What can I get for you? - Chicken. - Anything else?

Chips? - Yeah, please.

Cheers.

- I don't think the real issue here

is what you and Aiden have imagined that I have accused him of.

- We didn't imagine it, love.

- No, I think the real issue is the general attitude and behaviour of Aiden this year,

which I think is tied up with his relationship with food.

- Aiden has a healthy appetite.

When he comfort eats, it's because he is not happy.

And he is not happy because he's being bullied at school.

- Have you been aware of any bullying issues? - No, she IS the bully!

- I'm sorry, I can't allow you to speak to my staff like that.

- But you let HER talk about my son like that!

- Aiden is a complicated and conflicted young boy.

- No, Aiden is a gentle and sensitive young boy!

And if the insensitive and aggressive way that you're talking to me

is the way you talk to him, well, I'm not surprised he's been having these upsets!

- Mrs Keen, I don't think

that Aiden is the same at school as what he is at home.

- Mrs Keen, what is he like at home?

- Well, he's tired from school, isn't he? He's...

There's a lot of stress put on him.

So, I don't put on pressure. I just...

give him what he needs, look after him...

and he's calm, he's mellow.

- And in your point of view, what's he like at school?

- To be honest...

he's sulky, he's negative,

he's withdrawn, he's hostile to the other pupils, he's rude to staff.

- You have really got it in for him, haven't you?

- You know what, I think that Aiden should be here. I think you should go and get him, Kim.

He should be involved in this discussion. - OK. - Well, I'm coming with you.

- Is she ready for me?

- Full diary all afternoon. I suppose you could wait and catch her at the end of the day.

- OK. Thank you.

- Lover boy's coming over. - He's not my lover boy. - Is this seat free?

- Make room, everyone, Sam's boyfriend wants to sit down.

- Shut up, Lauren. - Yeah. Shut up, Lauren!

- Are you two together or something? Just, you didn't tell me. - Leave it!

- Cos I thought you only had eyes for Bolton. - Shut up! - She said shut up!

- You can't speak for her, she's not your girlfriend.

- Well, you can't either!

- Sam, why don't you just tell him? Tell him you don't like him.

She doesn't like you! Leave her alone!

- Shut up, just shut up!

- What are you doing, you fat slob?!

- You anorexic cow! - You what?!

- Calm down!

- Lauren!

- What are you doing, Aiden? Leave that girl alone! - Calm down.

- Are you all right? - What do we do if we run out of paper, sir?

- There's only half an hour. I'm sure you'll be fine.

- What were you doing?

- I didn't mean to.

It were her, she were winding me up. She made me hit her.

- No, Aiden, we have a strong policy about physical violence

in this school and there is not an excuse for it...ever.

- She were bullying me!

- Is that right, Sam? - No!

- Yeah, she were. She were picking on me.

She were making fun of my weight.

- She was making fun of me too. She was just teasing.

We tease each other all the time, you just can't take it.

The only person that's got a problem with their weight is you!

The rest of us, we just don't care.

- YOU care. You won't go out with me because I'm fat. - No, I won't go out

with you because I don't like you!

- Are you going to let her talk to my son like that?

- Look, Sam, you need to explain why you said that, it wasn't very kind.

- Well, HE isn't very kind! - Oh, I've had enough of this.

- He takes everything personally. He won't join in with anything and he always feels sorry for himself.

You make it impossible for anyone to be your friend, Aiden.

You always make us feel like we're upsetting you, even when we're not.

The only person that's a bully is you!

- # I will never be

# I will never be tall, no

# And I will never be

# Never, ever be sure

# Of it all, oh

# Why is the world so cruel to me

# When all... # - Erm... Sir?

Can I have some more paper, please?

- # ..All I ever want to be is anything I'm not

# Anything I'm not... #

- How did it make you feel when Sambuca said that, Aiden?

- You see, none of this would have happened if you'd have

come for me when I told you to.

- Please don't talk to your mum like that. - Can we go?

- Why do you let him talk to you like that? - Sam...

- Do you know, this morning, he called you lame?

You're too nice to him, that's his problem. He doesn't deserve you.

- Shut up, you know nothing about us,

so shut it! - That is enough, Aiden! You may talk to your mum like that at home,

but we do not allow rudeness in this school.

- You see, Mum? They're all against me, all the time.

- Maybe Aiden is struggling with the different boundaries that

he has at home and at school.

We all want the best for Aiden,

but we need your support at home if he's to be a success at school.

- Thank you. I know that you care.

Where are you going? - With you.

- No, you're staying at school until the end of the day. - But I don't want to.

I want to come with you! - I have tried to do my best by you, Aiden.

I've given you everything.

Maybe it's too much.

It's not made you happy, has it?

It's not working.

- Mum! - No, you just listen to your teachers while you're at school, because I am not...

interfering with your school business anymore!

So, I'll see you later.

Psst.

How do you spell "coincidentally"?

Philip! - Shut up. - But I need to know how to spell...

- Look I'm trying to do my work, OK?

- LOUD TAPPING

- Look, sir, I can't concentrate.

OK? Either she has to move, or I will.

- I'm not doing anything. - Just because you can't do the questions,

doesn't mean you have to drag us

down as well, OK? - Right, quiet, please, these are exam conditions!

- I've finished, sir.

- There's still ten minutes left.

Why don't you use that time to check through your work?

- No. You were right. I am second-rate.

- Is Lauren OK?

- Yeah, I've sent her to the school nurse though.

- OK, and is Aiden's mum still here?

- No, no, she's gone home, I think she finally saw

the other side to her son.

Any luck with any of these candidates?

- Well, it's an eclectic bunch, but

I don't think any of them are quite right. Oh, and we had one no-show.

It was this guy - Adam Fleet, he didn't turn up. - Oh, no, no!

He was in the canteen. - Really? - Mm.

- Any idea where he is now? - Well, I should imagine he's still there.

- Right, thanks, I'll go and find him.

Michaela? - You lied to me, Miss.

You made me think I could do it when you knew that I couldn't!

- I don't understand, what's happened?

- I made such an idiot of myself in there!

What do I do...what do I do now?

What do I do? - Come on.

- Adam Fleet?

I know you, don't I?

- Amanda Fenshaw?!

- Oh, my God, I don't believe it! It is you! It's Adam Fleet. Fat Adam... I'm sorry!

- Good to see you too! Do you work here? - I'm the Head Teacher.

- Rachel Mason? - I had to change my name, it's a long story.

- I had an interview with you today. - I know, I recognised your name, but...

You used to be much bigger, didn't you?

- I did, yes, that was some time ago.

- It has been a long time. - Well, YOU haven't changed.

- You have! But you still can't keep an appointment. - I'm sorry. I got hijacked by your Food Tech teacher.

She got me demonstrating my methods in one of her lessons. Seemed pleased.

- She never mentioned that. - Really?

- Look, I have got some time now. Do you want to do that interview?

- That would be great.

Thank you! - OK, come on. - Excellent.

- It's good to see you. - And you!

- I never even wanted to try out for the scheme properly.

I was just annoyed at Ros and Philip.

And then you made me think I could do it.

I should have known I couldn't do it. I shouldn't have believed you.

- You proved yourself highly capable in those interviews today.

- But not in the exams. - Look, the exams and the interviews weren't about passing and failing.

They were about showing us what the best way forward

for each individual student was.

- So, what's the best way forward for me?

- Well, you've got a choice.

You could go to uni. You would have to apply yourself,

you'd have to work really, really hard in getting your written work

up to standard,

but what you need to ask yourself - is three years of academic study what you really want?

- I want to be successful.

I want to make something of myself. - And you will.

You're already on your way to doing that now.

Believe it or not, you had a great day today. It was a good learning curve.

- How? - Well, if I'd have asked you

yesterday what you wanted to do with your life,

you probably wouldn't even have been able to tell me that you wanted to be successful.

That you could be successful.

- How can I be successful if I can't pass my exams?

- Because you've got ambition...

..and that's half of what you need for success.

You can be anything that you want to be.

You just need to want it enough.

- Well, I know what I don't want.

- What?

- I don't want to go to university.

- Well, you might change your mind on that again.

Higher education isn't the only way.

Some of our most powerful entrepreneurs - Sir Alan Sugar,

Sir Richard Branson - they didn't go to university.

- I just saw Mr Mead and he said all three of us are through.

These are the papers, if you want them back.

- Erm, what did you get? - 75%. - How about you?

- Must be a mistake. - What?

- 90%?

- Congratulations, Ros! You're doing Modern Languages for your APU,

right? I've been chosen to be your tutor.

- Ahem...

Any idea who I've got?

- Oh, you'll have to ask Mr Mead about that.

It's just our Oxbridge candidate

for the moment.

- Yeah, but I'm an Oxbridge candidate too.

Am I not? - Um...

- You not coming?

- I'll be there in a minute.

- What am - I - supposed to do?

- Watch.

- Hey, good to see you, lads.

- Go on then, mate. Do it for your old man.

I'm going to have my hands full tonight anyway!

- Josh, get changed and bring another couple of balls out

with you, will you?

- Sure. Just coming.

See you later.

- Goodnight.

How's Michaela? - Er, well, she's bruised, but she's a survivor.

She'll be OK. - It's better that she

goes through this disappointment now.

It would only have been even more painful further down the line. - No, I still think that

she could go to uni if she puts her mind to it.

You can't put a glass ceiling on her ambition.

- I admire your principles, Kim, but this one-size-fits-all philosophy just doesn't work.

- No, Chris, it's not about that.

These kids are fragile, they need positive reinforcement, they don't need...

putting down and telling that they're not good enough.

- Right, and that's what you were doing with Aiden Keen, is it?

- Aiden Keen... - Sir, I don't understand what's going on. - What?

- I thought I was down as a potential Oxbridge student.

- Nothing's been decided yet, Philip.

- Yes, it has. Ros has already been given a tutor, she's been told she's the only candidate.

- No, that's a rumour. Me and Miss Campbell are discussing everything right now.

- Look, it's not fair if you're basing everything on that exam today...

- I'll speak to you first thing in the morning, Philip. OK?

- Maybe my one-size-fits-all philosophy might come in handy for your scheme then!

- Come on, keep it up!

Faster, come on!

No pain, no gain! - It's all right for you, you're not the one doing it!

- Hey, less chat, more action. Right...

Team captains - Paul and Bolton, get into your teams. Let's play.

- Go on!

Huh? - Sorry!

Thanks, Aiden. - Why don't you

join us, Aiden? Might be your sport.

- Come on.

- Maybe some other time, thanks.

- Right, come on! - Come on, guys!

- I believe kids can only understand food by handling it.

Getting to grips with the whole organic process. - That makes sense.

- I'd get someone like Aiden to make a list of what he ate yesterday.

I'd work out the calories and nutritional content.

Then, using the same ingredients, I'd teach him how to make something like this.

Fewer calories and proper nutritional content.

- Hmm, well, smells good.

You know what, I seem to remember that you were known as the Take-away King.

It was all fish and chips and pizza, wasn't it? - Not anymore.

Mexican-style Chicken Mole - the only main course I could

come up with that used chocolate.

- Chocolate?! OK, let's give it a go then.

Chocolate.

Actually, that's really good. - Thank you. - That's delicious.

- Thank you. You know, I'd like to do this with all the kids with health or weight issues.

Re-work their relationship with food.

Break their habits, just re-connect them with what they're eating.

- Yeah, congratulations, because if you want this job, it's yours.

- Thank you.

- Why don't you let me take that for you?

- Er, I can manage. - Yeah, I know you can, but you need to be careful in your condition. Come on.

- We need to get something in place for all those that didn't get onto the scheme,

you know, with similar opportunities?

Like careers advice and visits to work places, guest speakers...

- You never ever give up, do you?

- No, not when things go off as half-cock as what they did today, no.

- That's pretty harsh.

- Well, it was pretty harsh for some of our students.

- You've really got it in for me, haven't you? - No.

Look, it's political, it's not personal.

- You know, we're not so different really.

We're both passionate. We both care deeply.

- Yeah, about very different things.

- I don't think that's true. - Oh, don't kid yourself, Chris.

You want Ros to do well for herself, but also, it's for you.

You want to be the first teacher that got a Waterloo Road pupil into

Oxbridge. It's reflected glory.

- And is that such a bad thing?

- Er, no, not in itself it's not.

But when it means you care a lot less about pupils like Michaela, then yeah.

It's about them, it's not about us!

- Courtship tango, eh?

- # Life is life, dreams are dreams

# And I'm floating somewhere in-between

# Somewhere in-between. #

- I'm sorry if I'm not the nice guy you seem to remember me as.

- Oh, come on, Adam!

- I'd better get on. - Get stuffed!

- You heard her! - Don't worry about it, mate.

It's not your fault she's a freak. - I'm looking for Lauren Andrews.

- You an'all? - I've got chemicals missing.

- Sam, go and get Miss Mason as quick as you can, please!

You'll be fine, it's just a little bit red, that's all.

- I don't want anyone to know, I don't want Josh to know!

- I thought that you and I were friends.

- Friends?

Well, that was sort of the problem.

- Oh.

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