There’s nothing like a good TV drama, is there? The suspense, the highs and lows, the compassion you feel for the characters who don’t quite meet with a happy ending.
But it’s a bit different when the drama you see on your screen is in fact mirrored, or at least reflected, in your day-to-day life.
During the promotion of the BBC2’s School, the show promised to lift the lid on the realities of education today. The good, the bad and the ugly. And after another hard watch on Tuesday night, there’s no doubting that the many problems ripping through the sector are now on full public display.
Throughout the series so far, we’ve heard the stories of Year 11 Chloe, who struggles with overwhelming anxiety, and Year 7 Chelsea, whose misbehaviour is a result of racist bullying.
We’ve seen middle leaders being told their responsibilities and that salaries would be cut.
We’ve seen what happens when a school is dealt the potent cocktail of a damning special measures judgement, a drop in admissions (due to the Ofsted judgement), and then a big drop in funding (due to the fall in admissions).
We’ve seen the stress, anger and heartbreak suffered by all staff members and, in particular, the toll it can take on the senior leadership team and headteacher. Last week, the head, Mr Pope, walked away from his school for good.
And we’ve seen the damaging effect that the decrease in special educational needs and disabilities funding is having on teachers, parents, and most importantly, pupils. Those who most require extra support are the ones being badly let down by the system.
Bullying brought to light
ITV, too, has chosen to put schools in the spotlight. A recent storyline in Coronation Street saw secondary teacher Brian Packham being bullied by his headteacher. The head, Phil Gillespie, is the character of nightmares. He threatens to fire Brian unless the Christmas production is outstanding, he sends him emails at 2am and pushes him to work all-nighters (and then reprimands him for it).
And at neighbour Fiz Stape’s house, education, too, is dominating family life. Her daughter, Hope, has been excluded from Bessie Street Primary School for biting a teacher.
In the upcoming weeks (SPOILER ALERT), Fiz will have to make a big decision. You see, there is pupil-referral unit that Hope could attend, but it’s in Birmingham, miles away from Weatherfield. All of this will ring true with many teachers.
After the end credits
As teacher workload and exclusions dominate Corrie, back in the real world there’s been further developments at Harrop Fold, the school you’ll know from Channel 4’s Educating Greater Manchester. The school, previously rated good by Ofsted, has been placed in special measures. Harrop Fold may no longer be on our TV screens, but its story continues to play out in the public sphere. Former headteacher Drew Povey quit in September after he was suspended alongside three other staff members due to "administrative errors". At the time, allegations of off-rolling were rife.
In January, it was confirmed that two more series would take place at the school. But now, although filming has already been completed, its future remains unclear.
The most prevalent issues in education are being broadcast in the homes of the general public in a way that has perhaps never happened before. We already know that it’s promoting debate. But sadly, it’s one drama that teachers, parents and pupils can’t switch off when the programme ends.
Kate Parker is an online and social media writer at Tes
