Danny! Danny! Morning! Morning. I do not run on principle!
Morning! Morning.
Miss. Are they here?
Have you even been home?
Alexa, wake up the entire house at none o'clock.
But, Miss, I want to read 'em before anyone gets here in case of I fail.
Can you?
Yeah.
Seriously.
Look...
Please don't do that thing where you act all sad as if I failed,
but then I actually have passed and then...
As if I would do that.
Thanks for trying.
A six?
AND a seven?
A six and a seven...
Like I said, don't do that!
Six... BOTH: ..and a seven!
# A six and a seven, oh!
# A six and a seven!
# A six and a seven! #
You're embarrassing yourselves! That's our star, Danny Lewis!
I meant to be walking you, go on. Go on! Go on, then.
THEY CROON
Yes, I've got my kit.
I told you three times. Izzy,
watch the way you're talking to me.
Watch MY temper? Says the man who smashed up a car with a hammer.
Yeah, all right, just drop it, will ya?
When's that anger management appointment?
And is there a chance you could book it for earlier, please?
Ah, it's a pity she couldn't get a capable driver at the start of term.
Dad.
What? You know all effort you put into being angry?
Imagine what you could do if it went into something...worthwhile.
STUDENTS CHATTER
I just don't get the point of coming back in for one day of term.
You could have brought home the work I missed.
Not a chance, mate.
Me and the other lads are just going to get hassled. Duh.
Maybe you shouldn't have been such a misogynist creep. Tonya...
And if you think there's going to be a queue to replace Samia,
think again.
You are so cancelled.
Amazing.
Oh, my God, here's my happy dance.
HE CHUCKLES
I thought you were going to blow it. Oh.
I'm only messing. You got better grades than me, mate.
Yeah, but I couldn't have done it without you.
Yeah, no need to thank me. An ASOS voucher will do me just fine.
Oh?
I'm glad you left all that rubbish behind you.
Yeah, but
you do know that Vinnie's boys could always come back?
No, they won't.
Look, you're in the clear. It's been a week.
You're in the end-of-term concert.
Good vibes only. Yeah.
Samia, guess who we're not getting rid of?
You passed? I'm so happy for you!
Now we've got someone to show up Preston on the basketball court.
Oh, is all I'm good for?
I need to go, so I'll see you laters. See you later.
All right, come on.
Miss? Hey. Hey! Will you, uh, read this for us?
I'm in a bit of a rush. I just need to know if it's any good. Please.
Yeah, of course. All right, thank you.
Uh, "frog, frog head, dickhead, slag...
"Drip, drip, drip from the leaky tap
"She should cover her face with a 20p bag for life."
Is this a poem? Did you write this?
Yeah, I was thinking about the lads and the stupid list
and it was just...
It was getting to my brain and I needed to get it out,
but I didn't realise it was a poem.
Tch, yeah! It's a long one.
Yeah, I know. Well, you know me, once I get started, I can't stop.
This is good. This is really good.
Yeah? Yeah.
Do you think I could perform it at the school concert?
It's just Mr King said that the BU kids can come watch,
seeing as it's the end of term, but...
I don't know, Miss, what's the point of writing something
if no-one gets to hear it?
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah? I will talk to Miss Chambers.
I'm sure she can get you on the bill. OK. All right. Cheers, Miss!
It's all right. Have a good day!
Who is a clever boy? Danny is a clever boy, isn't he? Eh?
Huh? Who's a clever boy?
You must be chuffed to bits.
I know. When I think about all the people that have doubted him and...
You know, he's performing in the end-of-term concert,
who would have thought it? Yeah! I know, I know.
Erica for you.
Come on.
We don't want you barking at that nice LEA lady, do we?
SHE SNIGGERS
Come on, let's go and find that nice little room in the library you like.
Wendy is warming to the dog. Yeah...
Erica? Kim.
Hi, I take it you've seen the re-sit results.
75% pass rate, some incredible individual performances.
I mean, you know Danny Lewis, obviously.
I was actually calling to ask if we could push our 10am back.
Right, well, we've got the end-of-term concerts, I mean,
there are a couple of sittings if you wanted to catch one
or I could get Wendy to book you in for an early slot next term.
It really needs to be today.
Some issues have come to light.
What issues?
Can we say around lunch? I take it me car'll be safe from a hammering?
PHONE CLICKS, DIAL TONE
What?
She knows about Donte.
What? How?! I don't...
Lindon?
Erm...
Can you give us a minute, please, Joe?
Wow.
DOOR SHUTS
So, when, exactly did you decide to stick the knife in, then?
This wasn't a planned thing.
Right, so it was a spur-of-the-moment power grab,
was it? I didn't realise she hadn't been told.
And then she wanted to know what else she hadn't been told.
Oh! So, you just spilled your guts?
This is a professional matter. Nothing more. Professional?
Professional... You see me?
I would call a massive betrayal by somebody that
I have slept with pretty personal, Lindon!
See, that's the problem.
You make everything personal.
This isn't personal... This...
This is about what's best for the school.
It's not, Lindon.
It's not, it's about what is best for you.
It always is.
Get out.
BELL RINGS
Oh, y'all right, boys? How was your week off?
It was all right, how was yours? Good, yeah, as good as it can be.
You heard I finally got the fun sponge off my back.
Result or what?
Lads...
From what I remember, that fun sponge dumped you.
See, you never could take a joke.
Hmm. I see you haven't learned your lesson, then.
Well, my name's dirt because of you, so... You did that yourself.
Says the one throwing herself at Danny Lewis.
He's a mate. A mate? Is he?
That's just sad.
Well, luckily, I don't care what you or anyone else thinks.
It's a pity you can't say the same.
KNOCKING
Uh...
Come on in. Sit down.
Sorry, I haven't picked the easiest day
for your back-to-work review, have I?
Is there ever an easy day?
Right, well, hopefully, I can make this as painless as possible.
So, I was thinking that I could take
some of your A-level responsibilities away
just so that you can get your head back to where it was...
Can I just...stop you there, Kim?
Um...
I don't think I'll be back next term.
If you need more time... I don't think I'll be back at all.
SHE BREATHES SHAKILY
I have told Donte that he has to find a way to work with you.
But I need to find a way to work with him?
And whether he says it or not...
..I know what he's thinking.
Izzie, too. I mean, how is it fair on her?
Yeah, but we could timetable around that.
You can't timetable around grief, so...
SHE CLEARS HER THROAT
I've already started clearing my classroom...
Um, I'll make sure all my handover notes
are finished this afternoon.
No, I can't lose you, Coral.
Donte is lucky to even have a job.
He's already been through enough
because of me.
So, I'll go.
That PE? What have I missed?
EAPI.
You have to evaluate another student's performance.
I could give you a seven at best for technique, but,
then again, it was a drunken mistake, so...
KAI SIGHS Don't worry, I know.
It never happened.
It wasn't a mistake.
You've had me for a week.
What, am I supposed to wait for you text me back?
I just...
I'm trying to get my head around things, is all.
Well, maybe we could talk about it...
..after school.
Is this you running back to me
cos Samia read you to filth in the corridor?
I'm first team, babes.
Not subs.
Loose leaf?
Peace offering.
Yeah, as long as it's wet.
You have to infuse this, preferably twice.
And then, you...
Oh, you're just... Yeah, that'll be fine.
I'm sorry. Again.
The...misunderstanding.
By which, I mean blatant lie.
Yeah...
I mean, who hasn't pretended that their wife was dead and then
lied to an entire grief counselling group
just because they're embarrassed? Yeah... Yeah.
We've all been there, right?
BELL RINGS
Look, for what it's worth, I'm sorry, as well.
I shouldn't have kicked off the way that I did.
I seem to be doing that a lot lately.
No... No, no, no, no, no.
It's a very sensitive subject for you.
You know how it is -
Izzy, she reckons that I should start putting my energy
into something more...
More positive.
You thought of a hobby?
I've just rekindled this interest in drawing maps
of fantasy worlds that I think of in me own mind.
Heh.
Or you...could do something else.
Yeah. Yeah.
Hey, it's out of bounds this, you know.
Yeah, I know. I'm just going.
Preston.
You all right?
Why wouldn't I be? Oh, no reason.
You know, happy people are always hanging around bins on their own.
Well, no-one's had the "welcome back" banner out, if you get me.
Yeah... Yeah, I do mate.
Still waiting for mine and all.
The list, yeah?
Look, the point of screwing up is you just don't do it again.
I'm not sure everyone's that forgiving. Well, I can be.
Especially, when I need help. Right.
Drag that bin over here to Coral's car.
Need help clearing this up before it gets towed. Come on!
I can't believe they're making you sort it,
when it's the car that...
Oh, that is priceless!
What is it?
The Thought Tree.
Kelly Jo launched through the window. Remember? Yeah...
Well, what's it supposed to do, then? Write things on it.
Hopes, wishes, I don't know.
Tell you what...
Fancy helping me with a real project?
Well, I was just going to go... You were just going to what?
Go and hang about by yourself for a bit?
Come on. It'll do you some good.
This play starts with a storm, which is an example of pathetic...
SHE KNOCKS
The Tempest is a bit like, er...
Somebody Google Lost while I'm out. Er, it's relevant, I promise.
Hey, Coral. It's lovely to see you back.
Sorry to...interrupt. I was getting my classroom straight.
Oh, is it about the smell?
I did...spill a milky coffee and I did try to get it up,
but the smell has lingered... No, it's not that.
Is it about the...glue sticks? I might have left the top off one...
I found these in my desk.
The new play at the Royal Exchange.
I had forgotten I'd booked them.
And I can't go now, so, I wondered if you...
Oh, well... I'd love to, but are you sure that you can't...?
I really can't.
And besides I, um,
wanted to, uh...
..make amends for...
..anything I may have done that might have...
Hey, hey... No worries. It's fine. I get it. Good.
Thanks.
Welcome to my office.
Right. Whack it down there.
You sure this is all right? Well, the car's getting scrapped.
It's not like they'll notice a few parts are missing.
Right, uh...
Tell you what.
Take the rough edges off that,
and then after that, we can hammer some stuff.
And if that don't make you feel better, nothing will.
Er...
What are we even making? Oh, you'll see.
There you go.
You know, your mum...
She had a bit of a go at me before.
Reckons I'm letting myself down. I know that speech by heart.
Yeah, it's different though.
With me, well, she's starting to see that I'm more of an idiot
than she thought. You, she knows you're not an idiot.
She just doesn't want you pretending to be someone that you're not,
to impress people who ARE idiots. You know, there's a big difference.
Well, maybe I'm not who my mum thinks I am.
Maybe your mum just wants you to be yourself, mate.
You know, she's not daft, you know.
She's really helped me lately.
She might give you a rough time now and then,
but she's always there for you.
DANNY: Look... I know... I know it's awful.
No way. It's brilliant!
And would be even better with me on it.
SQUEAKY ARPEGGIO: # Mi-mi-mi-mi. #
As if he's going to let you steal the show. Yeah, well...
You're his stage manager. What do you know about art?
I know it's going to be awful anyways, so there's no point.
No, if you can get grades like that in a term,
you can do anything. You got this.
Ooh!
You two don't belong in the friend zone.
She's only just broke up with Preston.
PHONE BUZZES
Who's that?
No-one, erm...
No-one, so...
Have you got rid of the knife yet? Danny... Look...
I just want to know where you've put it.
It's in my locker. For real?
I didn't know what to do with it. I can take it back. No way.
Look, I know what to do with it now.
And, Kai, look. I don't want you to be found with it.
OK. I'll give it you.
Izzy.
Let's go!
Come on.
Iz, you've got to come. I've got to go to my lesson, Tonya.
No, it's your dad and our Preston. Come on.
Er, no. Where are you two going?
Oh, come on, I can't... I'm spilling my tea!
Is that meant to be a tree?
Is it new?
Donte...
What is...that?
Is that Miss Walker's car? Yeah. Parts of it.
It's a wishing tree! All in memory of Chlo.
Yeah, I want people to write things on it.
You know, like, positive thoughts and wishes for the school,
like Chlo's animal therapy idea, or new computers, or...
I don't know, whatever you want!
And then I want to try and raise funds for 'em.
Yeah. Like, a focus for improving life at Waterloo Road.
All in Chlo's name.
Hey, you know what?
I couldn't have done it without this guy. Well in.
Hey? How's that for effort?
You're mad, you, you know.
HE LAUGHS
Right, right, come on, everyone inside. Let's go.
Chop, chop, come on!
Donte...
..tell me that thing is safe.
Are you trying to make me lie awake at night,
having health and safety panics? Oh, come on, Sir. It's mint!
Yeah, come on. That's not helpful.
Inside, go on. Oh... Put your spanner down.
SPANNER CLANKS
Yeah.
No-one can say that your heart's not in the right place, and I...
..love what is stands for. What?
As a permanent fixture, as it stands,
to raise money for the school, is it a yes?
Uh...
It's not a no, it's just... DONTE GROANS
No, it's just not that simple.
All right, you've got to... You'd have to register it
as a proper charity, you'd...have to find trustees,
you've got to write a governing document...
And then, you know, what comes with all the admin...
What? Come on! I can't even log on to my online banking,
never mind that!
Sorry, I feel like I'm just being negative.
It's clearly been made by someone who really loves Chlo,
and that's...
Are you all right?
Yeah.
Yeah, I just wish I wasn't so angry all the time.
She won't be too much longer, I hope.
Erica, sorry to keep you waiting.
I've just got to open the first end-of-term concert.
I'm sure you'd like to sit in.
WENDY SCOFFS
VIOLIN PLAYER WARMS UP
Here's your music. Thank you. Oh...
UNDER HER BREATH: Guitar strings...
Mate, it's cos you're on the wrong page! I'm right here...
Zayne, if you could help these people go backstage and show them
where to get ready, that would be great, thank you.
Where am I on this list? You are...after Millie... Oh.
So if you just want to...
Any dropouts? I'm free now, but that is subject to change.
So I was just...
If you want me to step in and save the show last minute...
So, what are you doing tonight? You must be celebrating?
Well, you could take him out.
Kai! What? Please!
No!
Two friends going out for friendly pizzas as friends do.
What's wrong with that?
Bellissimo, mm! Do you want to throw this at him, or shall I?
Listen, I think I might at this point...
Danny, have you seen the spare guitar strings?
No, but I can go check for you. Thank you.
All right, see you later. Let me clear this... Thanks, Miss.
Why aren't you in the show anyway?
Well, they said it's either basketball or singing.
Have they not learned anything from High School Musical?
SHE CHUCKLES Right, so, we'll all go
for pizza then, yeah?
How do you know I've not got a better offer? OK, spill.
It's a guy.
Hmm?
It's something and nothing.
He's got a complicated home life.
I mean, who hasn't?
Verity, you should be ready!
Hey. Hey! Guess who's in the show? This girl!
Yes, mate!
OK, so, babe... Mm-hm.
..I'm thinking either 20p bag... Right.
..or sweaty kit bag.
Probably not going to get through its MOT, is it?
Just so you know, I've told Kim
I won't be returning.
I said I'd find a way to live with it.
Have ya?
Me neither.
For what it's worth,
I've given years to this,
and if I'm not Miss Walker...
..I'm nobody.
Guessing you don't want to be front row at the Danny Show?
I have to be there, but if you still want to meet after school,
I'd be down for that.
Yeah.
Yeah, I do.
OK.
I'll see you there.
Don't mess me about.
Waterloo Road, are you ready to party?
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Well, tough, cos it's not quite the holidays yet.
BOOING, SHE LAUGHS
All right, seriously, today is a reward for making it through
a very tough term, especially after such a... A difficult start.
You've really come far.
And I've already seen a change in your willingness to learn
and for your self-belief,
which has been reflected in the fantastic GCSE re-sit results.
I want to prove that every single one of you in here
has got it in you to shine.
APPLAUSE, LIGHT CHEERING
To introduce the first performer,
she is a class act, just like her dad.
Let me introduce and give a big round of applause to Verity King!
MUSIC STARTS
I can see you now.
NERVOUS VIOLIN PLAYING
You're next, Danny. Break a leg. Thanks.
MURMURING, HE SNEEZES
THEY LAUGH
Oi, swear down that's Vinny McMullen. What?
Yeah, it is man. What's he doing?
Brilliant. Thank you, Millie.
Next up, a rising star making his onstage debut.
Danny Lewis, everybody!
RAUCOUS CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Oh...
We might have a small technical hitch,
we'll just...play some music...
Have you seen Danny? No.
..or God help you all, I'll have to sing.
THEY LAUGH
Where is he? I don't know, Miss.
Hopefully, you should still be able to hear the concert from here.
I want you to know how brilliant our pupils are.
We've received reports of certain incidents.
And we're concerned about your approach here.
Well, yeah, I can see why. Expulsions - down by 70%.
Attendance - up.
Re-sit results - way above expectations.
I'm sure you're worried about the fact I'm making
all your other schools look bad.
But problem behaviour still persists. Isolated incidents, yeah.
Multiple, violent incidents.
A member of staff destroying a colleague's car?
A pupil smashing up the drama studio?
If I hadn't have been here for the basketball fiasco,
I would have to find out about that second-hand too, I suppose.
Or, you could focus on the successes. Any second now,
Danny Lewis is going to be on that stage.
That is a boy who you said didn't belong in this school.
His re-sits? English - a six.
Maths - a seven!
And that's just in a few months!
Think what I could with him in a year!
My concern was his disruptive effect on the other pupils.
All that he needed
was a level playing field.
A chance to get away from the negative influences in his life,
and Waterloo Road has done that for him,
as it has for so many others, and...
Forgive me, Erica,
but I thought that was exactly what you put me here to do.
HE BREATHES HEAVILY
HE GRUNTS
DANNY GROANS
Got your message.
I want my money, now.
I haven't got it! Oh!
HE GASPS
HE SIGHS
HE SNIFFS
Where's me grand? Vinny, wait! I want me money!
No!
We'll go to your new mam's and get it now!
Get off! Move!
THEY GRUNT
Move, or you're dead.
Cos one way or another, you're going down those stairs.
Whoa!
Are you gonna get me money? Another time!
No. Now!
I can't! No, Vinny!
Listen, mate, this is your last chance.
Oof!
Danny!
What are you doing? Everybody's wait...
Danny? KNIFE SCRAPES ON GROUND
I believe in restorative practices,
and you knew that because I talked about it in my interview,
so I don't understand why now you are so surprised
that I'm delivering it!
Because we're still seeing the same violent behaviour
as we saw on day one!
Because the school made the pupils feel like they didn't matter!
Like nobody was listening to them.
I want to give them a voice.
I want them to feel that they don't have to...break things
or shout to be heard!
And you can honestly say that's working?
It doesn't happen overnight, Erica!
Problem behaviour doesn't start at school.
It... It starts at home.
And in...social conditions, and in policy.
We are just the sharp end of it.
But I...
I feel that with time, we can break that chain, and...
And we're doing it!
I think that the kids are realising that they can get their needs met
without having to resort to violent behaviour.
WENDY: Sorry.
Can I borrow you?
KIM SIGHS
Yeah.
Excuse us.
Thank you.
Oh, my God.
What's happened?
They say he's alive but critical. Kim? Joe?
I've sent the parents home with the kids.
The rest are in the hall, or in the classrooms. OK. OK. Thank you.
The police will be here any minute. Right, OK. What... What did you see,
exactly, Val? Danny standing over him. All right.
And where did... Where did Danny go? It doesn't necessarily mean...
Oh, my G... where did Danny go, Val?
He ran.
SHE EXHALES
DOOR CLOSES
There you are. I've been looking for you. Where have you been?
Yeah, I've got all that work to catch up on, remember?
Why? What's going on?
Oh, fight got out of hand or something, I don't know.
Did you not notice I'd called you five times?
Honestly, you lately, don't know what planet you're on.
Um...
Mum, there's something I, um...
There's something I should have told ya.
You better not have got yourself in trouble again, Preston.
I really don't know how much more of this I can take.
No, it's not...
Well, I mean...
..kind of.
NICKY SIGHS
D'you know, it is one thing after another with you and Tonya, isn't
it? I never get a minute to myself. You're the eldest.
I keep looking for you to take some responsibility,
but I am not seeing that.
Right, well, come on, then, what have you done now?
It's OK, Mum, I don't want you stressing.
No, no, come on. Come on, let's hear it.
It's just, erm...
I do this...
..thing,
sometimes.
I...say stupid stuff.
I said something stupid to Samia and I wanted you to hear it from me.
Preston... I know.
I'm sorry.
I know you're going through a rough time,
and I'll try harder.
I will.
Come here.
I'll be better.
HE BREATHES HEAVILY
No point in running.
That's it?
That's all you've got to say?
Danny, what happened?
Where did the knife come from?
I'm sorry.
All of the faith that I had in you,
I deserve to know.
I have, literally, just been talking to the powers that be
about what a model student you are!
He...came after me.
Vinny.
Look, Miss,
you have done all that you could
to change where I was going.
But...
..you can't change where I come from.
And that is always gonna follow me.
I can't...
I can't advocate for you, Danny.
The police are here, Danny.
They need to talk to ya.
Come on.
I'll be outside and erm,
I'll make sure Miss Whitwell looks after Angel.
Police have asked us all to stay in here.
All right, away from the door.
Hello, Verity. Get off.
We'll let you know more when we can.
Has anyone seen Danny? This is about him, I know it.
I thought he just had stage fright.
Yeah, well, why did he have to stop just as I was about to go on?
It's a joke, mate.
Yo, there's a body being wheeled out up here!
It's not a body! Looks well dead!
Come on! Stop! Middle of the hall!
Everybody quiet!
Sit down, and don't move.
Back, please. Come on.
Oi, that's gotta be Danny.
Vinny must have done him in.
Who's Vinny?
Everyone knows Vinny McCullen.
Yeah, he's bad news, innit? Why do you think guitar boy did one?
Vinny's Danny's sort of stepdad.
He took some from money from him, and now he wants it back.
All right. Someone do us a favour and distract the teachers for me,
please. Yeah, I got it.
It's time to shine.
Frog. Frog head.
Dick head. Slag... Get down now. Drip, drip, drip from a leaky tap.
She should cover her face with a 20p bag...
I'm gonna go find him.
Keep watch.
She don't need to adhere to a set of rules.
Just like she don't need to wait for you to decide... Get down!
..that she is worthy of basic respect.
Do you want this to be the last privilege you ever have?
How sad for you... Get down, now!
..that you are so scared of my strength, but laugh it off,
Kelly Jo, can't you take the bants?! Cos what?
Don't they see? Don't you actually see, Sir, that I am sinking fast?
Kelly Jo! Down!
Now.
Kim.
Danny has people with him.
There's nothing else you can do.
OK.
Danny, just tell him what happened.
I'm sure this can't have been your fault.
Oh, yeah. Like they're gonna believe that.
So, where's the weapon? Did you bring it into school?
I'm giving you a chance to explain yourself here, Danny.
You could be looking at attempted murder.
I'm sure I don't need to tell you the seriousness of an incident
like this. Mm-hm.
I took a risk on Danny.
And it's cost me my career, hasn't it?
But do you know what?
I would do it again,
every single time,
because at least I tried.
For what it's worth, I recommend Joe Casey as my successor.
Although I don't think my opinion really counts, does it?
I think the selection process started a long time ago.
You know you're under arrest, Danny?
What? We'll need to take you down to the station.
I'll follow you down.
Come on. I just want to go and see my dog!
We need to go. What are you on about? I just want to go see him
for a minute! Danny? Listen, I just want to go and see her!
Danny, all right, calm down... It's not gonna help, just calm down!
Calm down... Oi! Whoa, whoa, whoa, no. Samia!
You're hurting him! Miss, do something!
Samia! Danny!
Please go back to the hall, Samia! Do as you're told and go!
Really, is this completely necessary?
Relax.
You need to compose yourself, Danny. Maybe he'd be composed
if you let him see his dog!
Come on, is it such a big deal? Please? He's a kid!
Just let him up!
What's happening?
The police had Danny pinned down.
Why?
He just wanted to see his dog and they were all over him.
A thug comes into our school
and now they're acting like Danny is the criminal! It's not right!
No, no, no. Sam, what about... All they're gonna see is a kid
who's always in trouble, sleeping rough in school.
They don't know the real Danny!
Mr King told you to be quiet.
I'm not being funny, Sir, but I stopped listening to what Mr King
has to say after he left our house.
And why should we be quiet when the police are beating up Danny?
Could we not turn the police into villains, please?
Oh, you're a fascist, Sir.
I'm a believer in law and order.
Starting with sit down, and shut up.
Not till we know that Danny's OK!
Free Danny! Free Danny! That's enough!
CHANTING: Free Danny! Free Danny! That's enough!
Free Danny! Free Danny!
CHANTING CONTINUES Silence!
I said, silence.
I don't want to hear another word.
Dad, come on, you know... That includes you, Verity.
The next person to speak will spend
next term in detention every night.
Do I make myself clear?
Mr King?
Do you have a minute?
I will have no more defiance.
Sit down.
You heard Mr King.
One word, and it's repeat detention.
Sit down!
Thank you, Lindon.
You quashed any disorder before it began.
I just did what needed to be done.
I'm afraid we haven't seen that in the current management.
Kim's done some really great work.
Between me and you, Kim has decided
it will be in Waterloo Road's best interest if she moved on.
Erm, OK. But, erm... You mustn't feel bad.
It's a mark of your commitment to the pupils.
Goes without saying that the role of acting head is yours.
There are processes to follow,
but it should stand you in good stead for the permanent role.
You've already demonstrated that you've got the authority
and command that these children need.
So...
Can I take that as a yes?
Erm, can I have a minute just to...?
Of course. Thank you.
MULTIPLE TEXT ALERTS
It's all kicking off. Hang on.
Everybody, stop! Get back in class!
Stop, guys...
Wait...
what's going on?
Stop!
ALERTS CONTINUE TO BEEP
Er, yeah. He's... He's calmed down a bit now, so...
I'll jump in with Jamilah and follow him to the station.
OK. Thank you. DOOR OPENS
Er, the pupils, you need to come and sort them out.
Why, what's going on? Don't know.
They're taking matters into their own hands - again.
Lindon, you go.
I'll wait here.
Get back in the hall.
Get in there, now.
All of you.
You heard what I said about detention.
All right. You made your point.
But let me make something VERY clear.
Anyone - and I mean ANYONE - who is still here
in five seconds will be in extended detention.
Five.
Four. What, Dad?
Are you going to put all of us in detention?
Three.
Two.
Because maybe, if all us are problem kids,
it's not actually the kids who have the problem.
One. Are you stupid?!
You pay for that!
Thank you.
Thank you for confirming what I said earlier.
That you have all got it in you to shine.
You're angry, and you have expressed it
calmly and patiently,
and I am so proud of you for that...
Cos, believe me, I share your anger.
I am angry that the scales are weighted
so much against so many of us.
And sometimes that anger boils over, I know it does.
Now, maybe you came to school this morning with no breakfast,
or no shoes,
or you've got no home to go back to, or...
Or you have spent the day worrying that when you do leave here,
you're not going to be safe.
You have got
every right
to feel that.
HE STIFLES TEARS
But what you do not have
is the right to turn that anger
into violence, because the minute you do that, you just...
You just lose the argument.
What did she mean...violence?
A knife.
Danny had a knife.
Which is why I cannot defend what happened here today.
So, I am asking you now,
please, don't lose this argument.
Be angry. Be angry.
But you have to step aside.
Let him go.
Guys. Come on, show's over.
Let 'em past, come on.
It's gonna be OK.
I'm sorry.
It's all right. Come on.
Let's get back into the hall, eh?
Please.
Come on.
SHE SIGHS
I found a way.
Sorry?
I need someone to run a charity for me in Chlo's name.
Someone who can cope with a load of form filling,
and letter writing, and...
Well, all the other boring stuff.
Someone like you.
Look, I don't want you thinking that I'm doing you a favour.
OK? Because I'm not.
It's not for you.
It's for Chlo.
BELL RINGS
DOOR SLAMS
We'll need a press statement tonight.
Yeah.
Thanks.
Erm, can I call you back?
OK, thanks.
Be good to get a definite decision before we break up.
Yeah. Sorry.
I can't take the job.
We can negotiate on salary.
On reflection, I...
I lack certain qualities that this place requires.
I wouldn't have asked you
if I didn't think you were the right candidate.
You have the ideal candidate.
You saw what happened.
You saw the support that Kim got.
I can't inspire that.
It was you who convinced me she was she was unsuitable.
I was having a bad day.
Believe it or not, it happens around here.
But why? Why Kim Campbell?
Because she makes everything personal.
# Always said I was a good kid
# Always said I had a way with words
# Never knew I could be speechless. #
Hey.
I don't know when you'll be able to hear this,
but there's stories going round school about what happened.
I just wish you'd spoken to me, Danny.
Why'd you have to be such an idiot?
I know you must have been desperate
and scared.
You must be now.
So,
this is just me saying...
..I owe you pizza.
Two friends.
As friends.
In a friendly way.
# I'll set fire to the whole place
# I don't even care about our house
# It's not the same in here since he left, anyways. #
Kim. Kim.
That was Erica on the phone.
Sounded pretty urgent.
I think she might want to talk about staying on.
Does she?
That's great, isn't it?
I don't know, Wendy.
Maybe I'm not the kind of head that this place needs.
Rubbish.
You're brilliant with those kids.
I thought that I could do things differently,
and look at what's happened.
I don't think I can do it any more.
# Can't be bothered with the teachers
# Always trying to shape the way I act
# Burn it down, burn it down, burn it down, burn it down
# Mamma told me all of this is
# Just a place we have to settle for
# Less than anything we dream of
# We'll continue to be disappointments
# I feel down, I feel down, I feel down, I feel down
# Burn it down, burn it down, burn it down, burn it
# Burn it, burn it... #