New Starts Our School

BELL RINGS

Meet year seven.

Awesome!

It's the most important year of school so far.

You're not here to have a laugh and a good time. You're here to learn.

With so many changes,

new friends...

Miss, have you got a cloth?

..and new teachers...

You are a Greenwood boy.

..it's an exciting world to discover.

Wow.

It can be fun but, sometimes, it can be tough.

There are different challenges for everybody.

We're in year seven, we're acting like three-year-olds.

We've rigged another secondary school with loads of cameras...

Is this what you see when you look through a camera?

Because this is awesome.

..so you can find out exactly what happens.

You're on report by my request.

I'm Trev.

I used to go to school here

but now I'm one of the teachers.

Last question, because you're going to run out of time.

Welcome to Our School.

I need a wee!

We're back for a brand-new series of Our School.

This time, it's January

and the start of the second term at secondary school.

We're at a different school this time around

so, in this special episode, I'm going to introduce you

to some of the students you'll be meeting across the series.

Just get on with your work and stop shouting "Poo".

We've also got two new kids joining our school this term, Archie...

I smell the mangoes just from here

Put it in different places, even in your beer!

And Eesa.

Eesa, you OK?

Wakey-wakey.

They'll be getting to know everyone too.

I'm not taking the mick, that's sick.

This time around, we're in Birmingham.

And any guesses where that lot are off to?

They're heading for our school,

called Greenwood Academy.

Our school is home to 673 students and 90 members of staff.

-OK, good morning, year seven.

-ALL:

-Good morning, Miss.

Once more with feeling.

-I love this school.

-Thank you, Taylor-Jay.

You just need to give it a few weeks

to get into the school and relax

and, like, know all the people that are there.

I'm going into secondary school.

It's much better than primary school, really.

This school, I would like a lot to be my new home.

Yeah, I'm proud.

We've got over 40 classrooms, two canteens,

an Astroturf, playing fields

and three sports halls,

but this room is my favourite.

I'll tell you more about that later.

Around here, we like to think of ourselves as one big family.

Oh, that's Miss Richardson, our head of year.

Very nice teacher, ain't you, Miss?

Very smooth, Spencer.

We're like a big family, basically. We've got to sit together.

Yeah, like, a big family, you don't spread apart.

You come together as one.

Well said, girls.

And, if we're one big family,

I guess that means principal Mr French is dad.

It helps to stay fit to run a busy place like our school.

I think Mr French is a smart teacher, really nice

-and healthy.

-Healthy.

Do you like being the head teacher?

Yeah, genuinely, I think I've got the best job in the world.

-I'll put yes.

-Yes, OK.

That's not a job interview, by the way.

It's just some of our year seven

quizzing him for a project they're doing.

-And I suppose Mum...

-Are your trousers ripped, hun?

-Yeah.

..must be head of year seven, Miss Richardson.

Bring them in the back and I'll sew them up for you, darling, all right?

I'm always, like, basically, that mean one

and I'm always going to be the mean one.

Really good. That jacket needs to come off

from underneath your blazer now.

Being fair, I'll quite happily take that

and then see you guys in year 11 succeed,

getting your Bs, your A*s and things like that.

OK, that's enough grown-ups for now.

Let's meet some younger but still very important members

of the Our School family.

-ALL:

-Hi!

In fact, let's hear from them in their own words.

At school, I'm mischievous and cheeky.

SHE GIGGLES

-I'm quite loud.

-Yeah.

I'll chase people if they do something to me.

Yay.

I would say I'm clever.

-I'm very clever.

-Big-headed.

-I'm not big-headed.

Us as a generation are getting smarter.

Do you want the wrong answers?

No, you don't, so let me check if they're right.

People are saying, like, all the tests are getting easier

just because the grades went up and we've been getting higher marks

but we're getting... We're smarter, really,

because, if you ask my dad, he can barely work his phone.

I'm clever.

Clever, see?

This year at school, I want it to be a great year,

try not to get in trouble or be silly.

Try and be the best that I can.

I'd love to, like, go out there and I'd love to get good grades

and I'd love to make a name for myself.

Sometimes, I'm lazy and I just don't try my best.

Since I've started secondary school, Mum thinks that I'm a bit more ruder

now but, most of the time, it's not my fault.

Cheeky, talkative and a little bit annoying.

-Rhys, shut your mouth.

-Kasey!

-Stupid.

-Are you calling me stupid?

No, I'm calling myself stupid.

Describe each other.

Yeah, I'm calling you stupid

because you didn't know I called myself stupid.

I'm not even going to argue with you on that one.

THEY CHATTER

We are in a nerd section.

Yeah.

Definitely nerd section.

But, pretty soon, you'll know year seven

as well as year seven know year seven.

How? Because we've put cameras everywhere.

And I mean everywhere.

Teachers' toilets and...

Er, no, I don't think so, Spencer.

OK, then. Almost everywhere.

Oh, we've got another spy.

Any ideas what's behind this door?

No, it's not an extra-special detention room.

We've got a hard-working team from CBB...

Wait a second.

They've got brownies.

Anyway, we've got a hard-working team from CBBC.

They're watching every move we make all the time,

so you'll be able to see Callum singing...

# I like big butts and I cannot lie

# All the other brothers can't deny... #

..Kiara gossiping...

Did you kiss him?

Did you kiss him?

Did you hug him?

..and Courtney...

OK, yeah, Hayden?

Actually, what are you doing, Courtney?

Ergh!

Our crack team will capture everything.

When they aren't eating brownies, that is.

Caught you, Aaron.

What?

So let's meet some of the kids who our cameras are going to be following

and who we'll be getting to know better over the coming weeks.

First of all, say hello to Kiara May.

Apparently, this is what I've heard,

he asked you out and then you asked him out.

PHONE BUZZES

Er, hi, Kiara.

Though you might need to send her a text to get her attention.

She's our school's social media selfie queen.

Year sevens, let me just remind you guys, there's no phones out allowed.

You heard him, Kiara. Phone away.

But, besides selfies, what's year seven all about to you?

At school, there's, like, the geeky girls, the cool girls,

the girly girls.

And the weird girls.

Well, with cameras everywhere,

we should be able to find out which group she's in.

This is now the second time with a mobile as well

with yourself, isn't it?

But will Kiara May's love of friends, phones and fun

be sending the wrong message?

I will ban you from using a phone on the school premises, OK?

Will she get the chance to put the cheer into cheerleading?

Listen, whoever's walking out, walk out now.

Maybe not.

Now, you should be careful of underestimating our next student.

This is Libby.

Do you like my beard?

Yes, I love your beard.

She's the shortest in the year

and the youngest in the year.

My mum's always said to me good things come in small packages.

I've always went by that, not with what anybody else thinks of me.

People are surprised that I do kick boxing

because, when they look at me,

they think that I'm like a girlie girl and everything.

Sporty Libby's after the top job in the girls' football team.

I don't think football's just for boys.

I think, like, there's loads of different sports

that girls can do as well.

I'm Libby and I'm here to prove

that I'll be a good football team captain.

Be careful who you pick, Mr French.

Did you not see her doing kick boxing?

Will year seven give her the chance to score her goals?

Greenwood!

And, after a night sleeping rough for charity,

Greenwood's youth worker Sean will put Libby on the spot.

How would you feel delivering a little five-minute presentation

-to the whole of year seven on homeless?

-No.

Will pint-sized Libby be walking tall?

Remember I said we had two new kids on the block?

Here's one of them - Archie.

There's nothing in it.

He started year seven at another school in the area.

Well, this picture is me in my old school.

Now he's decided he wants to come to a new school, our school.

Can't blame him, really.

But he's still nervous.

I'm a bit scared

but I feel like I'll be OK if, like, Spencer's going to be there

to help me through the day.

Don't worry, Archie, help is on its way.

-Wahey!

-Hey.

Morning, Spencer.

When I first started,

it was a lot easier

because, like, I knew the majority of the people there

and, like, you just fit in, like...

Sorry, Archie, are we keeping you awake?

Just get a good conversation.

Like even if you just bump into someone and you say sorry

and then they'll be like, "It's all right,"

and then you'll be like, "What's your name?"

And I'll be like, "Oh, I'm Spencer," and then, like, you become friends.

Spencer is Archie's best friend

and has been with us since the start of last term.

Here we go.

# And it feels like I am just too close to love you... #

He's good, isn't he?

That's me with him, by the way,

but more about me later.

As the term goes on,

we'll see Spencer putting his talents to the test.

But let's go back to Archie's first day.

Bye, Mum.

With Spencer in support.

OK, boys, it's Archie's first morning.

First impressions count, remember?

BELL RINGS

We're late for school on your first day.

Hands up who thinks that's NOT a good idea on your first day?

Now, can anyone spot what's wrong with Archie's uniform?

Miss McDermott, who's in charge of admissions, has.

I don't want to mess your hair.

We haven't thought this through, have we?

It's like he was always here. OK.

So, bag on. Let me have a look at you.

Very, very smart.

-He's a Greenwood boy.

-You are a Greenwood boy. You OK?

Welcome to Greenwood. OK, Archie?

-Thanks.

-Congrats.

At least Archie's got an old friend he can call on

to help him through the first few days.

Not like our other new boy, Eesa.

OK, Eesa, so this is your classroom.

Eesa's not just new to the school,

he's new to the UK, having moved here from the Middle East.

We did offer him the school tie.

I think it gave him a lot of joy that day

because he actually understood, "I'm in this school now, I go here,

"I look like all the other pupils I've seen on the way in."

Look at you. Very smart.

Everything in here is all for you.

Today isn't just Eesa's first day at our school,

it's his first day at school ever.

-TRANSLATION:

-My dad tried to send me to school

but he was told "No, you don't have enough money."

Then we came to live in Britain and now we have a better life.

We are very grateful.

Eesa's mother tongue is Arabic

and you've probably already worked out that he doesn't speak English.

-A...

-A. That's it.

Not yet, anyway.

Eesa is determined to learn English as quickly as possible.

If he can, it will change his life for ever.

Because Eesa only speaks Arabic, he's going to be in the accelerate class,

which is for kids who would find mainstream classes difficult.

Don't worry, Eesa, they'll be here in a minute.

Then there's Thomas.

The witch has given him a vision

of his best friend's son taking over his kingdom.

Sounds impressive, doesn't he,

but don't get the wrong idea.

There's another side to Thomas.

Slam dunk!

HE SHOUTS

Thomas, I will take that now.

One that means he's now on report.

Do you think you stayed focused during the lesson?

Not at the beginning, but during the end I did.

-Is that enough?

-Yeah.

The only reason I'm really naughty is because...

..cos I'm really smart,

me being naughty disguises the fact that I know a lot of things.

Remember, we've got cameras everywhere.

That's why we'll be able to see

if Thomas can make the most of his time in year seven.

Basically, the thing is, I want you to... Try to be more of a leader.

And make a very different impression on his teachers.

Bring me no more report. Let them fly all.

Till Birnam Wood remove to Dunsinane,

I cannot taint with fear.

That's Mr Elliott, by the way.

He's just one of the teachers here at our school.

Want to know what year seven think about their teachers?

Wait a minute! Who drew that?

Perhaps I'd better put my hands over my ears for this bit.

BELL RINGS

Three, two, one.

And face this way.

Definitely not Miss Richardson. Nope!

My favourite teacher?

That's hard.

I brought back some maple syrup and we have some pancakes as well.

Mr Elliott is my favourite teacher

because he is, like, he's really nice,

I've never had a detention off him and he never gives homework.

Sometimes I think the teachers here get a little bit too strict

about stuff like...your socks.

I think the pressure that they put on us will pay off

because you get some teachers that are so strict

and they like to do it in certain ways.

I want to see you lined up showing me year seven behaviour.

How can they do this every day?

And they do it for, like, five lessons a day every day.

If they are strict,

it helps you and you will be thankful for that later on in life.

-I like Miss Hanson, don't you?

-But, yeah...

-She's trying to be strict. Like...

-She starts to laugh herself!

Like, she's trying to be strict, but she can't, like...

She starts giggling and, like, she goes, "Can you please stop it?"

And, she is like... She starts laughing at herself.

We're like, "Why are you laughing at yourself?" And she goes...

Sometimes, no-one listens to her because she's shouting for nothing.

-AMERICAN ACCENT:

-"Stop!"

STOP TALKING!

GIGGLING

Have they finished?

What were you doing there?

They didn't say anything about me, did they?

I'm Trev.

WHOOOOO!

Remember, a few years ago...

HE CLEARS HIS THROAT

..I was a student here.

OK, it has changed a bit.

But, then again, so have I. I've now got kids of my own.

Get your stuff.

Though not at our school. Not yet anyway.

My working day finds me helping some of our 673 kids

follow their dreams and interests.

I'm in charge of performing arts and events.

That's things like helping with Comic Book Club.

What do you think?

Bah!

Sorting out the talent show.

Welcome to the year seven talent show!

And working with the cheerleaders.

Do this like you're trying to win a competition,

not that you're just trying to get out of here.

OK, go again.

GROANING

It sounds fun, doesn't it?

But, as you'll see, it's not always as easy as it sounds.

MAKES COMICAL SOUNDS

Just wait a sec.

THEY TALK OVER EACH OTHER

That's fine, but, at the moment, all I'm bothered about is your costume.

BELL RINGS

It's break time on Archie's first day,

and he and Spencer are in the canteen.

I'm not saying, like I said last night... Don't stay around me 24/7.

OK? Act normal, be yourself, don't change for anyone. Just don't worry.

Be cool.

There's always going to be a few boys who think they've got

something to prove...

BELCHING

Just burped. Look at this tie, man.

..especially when they see there's someone new in town.

And this lot are no different.

Don't worry, Spencer is looking out for him.

Everyone was like, "Archie's here!"

And other people were just like, "Oh, he's new. Let's fight him."

But I didn't even know half of the people there.

So, like, didn't know why they wanted to fight me.

But now we're friends.

BELL RINGS

With break over, it's time for Archie's first proper lesson.

Music with Miss Hollingworth.

Quiet, please! Can I have silence?

Let's have a bit of a discussion about what you might already know

about reggae music.

Who is Bob Marley? Can you tell me who he is?

What was he famous for?

Is it that chilli sauce?

Er, not quite, Tyra!

But if you listen,

Bob Marley's got some good advice for Archie on his first day.

In fact, for all of year seven.

# Don't worry...

# About a thing

# Cos every little thing

# Gonna be all right

# Singing don't worry

# About a thing

# Cos...

# Every little thing's gonna all right. #

-It's good advice for our other new boy, too.

-Shake my hand. Good.

Afternoon. Good afternoon.

-Let's take a look at how Eesa is getting on.

-Good afternoon.

Thank you very much. How are we doing?

Say "Salam wa aleikum", or hello in Arabic, to your new classmates.

That's Molly.

She's Sam.

And this is Charlie.

Say "Hi," Charlie!

Charlie?

I think it must be really hard for Eesa because,

saying what Miss said, coming from another country can be difficult.

When they're allowed to go to school.

Weren't allowed to go to school, yeah.

And this is the first time he's been to school for nearly...

-His whole life.

-Basically, yeah.

-TRANSLATION:

-I'm going to school for the first time in my life

and I feel proud.

No, you stay there. Stay there.

Charlie is not going to let a little thing like language

get in the way of making friends.

Listen to your teacher. What she's saying.

Looks like Eesa may already have found a friend in Charlie.

I haven't introduced you to Charlie properly yet.

We've already had a glimpse of caring Charlie.

Write that. Write that in your own words.

And cheerful Charlie.

-Miss, I've made him happy.

-Just don't worry.

I would say I'm...

well, I'm funny, a little. Er...

Good to be around and helpful.

-Why are you mucking around with his mouse?

-I was helping him.

-No.

Instead of helping him, you were completely ignoring me.

But we'll also be seeing a lot more of cheeky Charlie.

Do you want to hear a massive burp?

HE BELCHES LOUDLY

-OK. Are you eating?

-Go and wait for me outside.

The thing about Charlie is that he's struggling with English and maths.

I can't do it, sir. It's hard.

He started the term in the accelerate group.

Who just threw that around the room?

As it came from here, where did...? Pardon?

-Jess.

-Excuse me! It wasn't me!

No, no, no.

Sorry, Charlie, we all saw it was you.

We'll also see Charlie as he tries his best to get

back into mainstream classes.

Nathan!

It will be tough, won't it, Charlie?

Who just threw that pen at me again?

-But he'll also have a chance to impress Mr French.

-A selfie then?

-As well as focus on his work.

-Miss, you've given us easy ones.

Yeah, but some people are struggling still.

I... I think I've only got one wrong. The first one.

But will it be enough to graduate from accelerate?

First impressions mean a lot to some of year seven. Take Vanessa.

She's smart...

No. No, not perfect. It's not perfect. The object of the class.

..helpful...

£11.28, please.

VANESSA TRANSLATES

..and when she first arrived at our school,

she was making all the right moves.

When I'm older, I really want to be a lawyer. I just...

I love debating as well.

But our cameras will spot Vanessa as she goes through an image change...

Vanessa!

-..that doesn't always go to plan.

-Put that in the bin now.

-You know better. Go!

-Can...?

-But it in the bin!

You're on report by my request.

I'm going to give you a warning.

Will she be able to stay out of trouble...

-OW!

-You're red carded. Go!

-I'm red car...?!

-Get out!

-DOOR SLAMS

..and get back on the right path?

Someone else with big dreams for the future is Taylor-Jay.

-You meet Justin Bieber and Joey Essex.

-Is that your plan?

Joey Essex is my dream husband.

I love music. I've made my own CD.

I could be out there walking the red carpet with Taylor Swift,

Rihanna, Beyonce, you never know.

The thing about Taylor-Jay is that she sometimes gets a bit distracted.

If we end up writing our own poem, I'm going to flip.

And bored.

SHE SIGHS

And tired.

Er, Taylor-Jay?

That's it.

I've actually spelt February right for once.

Progress. Progress!

I still don't know how to spell Wednesday.

But the thing about year seven is that there is a chance

to surprise even yourself about the things that you can do.

-Taylor, what did you get?

-I got 44%.

-The answer should be 44.

-Yay!

And we'll see her, if not on the red carpet,

then at least showing there is another side to Taylor-Jay.

No. No, because she likes Juliette.

Boom!

# Nothing at all

# Uh-oh-oh, uh-oh... #

And who knows? Maybe she was right about being famous after all!

Haw! That was so scary!

Yes!

But it's not just those guys. There's Callum and Courtney.

There's Molly and Milly. There's Josh and Dan. Or is it Dan and Josh?

And all their friends as well.

So, you'll just have to keep watching to meet them all

and find out what happens as their life in year seven continues.

CHEERING

Next time...

Year seven get ready for action.

And the roles are reversed...

This is scary.

..as the boys are cutting it in the salon.

See, you make it look easy.

And the girls... CHEERLEADERS CHEER

..have their eye on the ball.

CHEERING

TRUMPET NOISES

No, I can do it at home when I'm in the shower.

There's lots of people...

TRUMPET NOISES

HE BEATBOXES

Party over.