There's No I in Team Our School

Firth Park Academy, Sheffield.

A new term, a new sport.

YELLING AND CHEERING

As England rugby international Ben Foden takes on Year Seven...

-Witness the passion...

-One, two, three...

..feel the pain...

in Our School. BELL RINGS

Meet our new Year Seven.

-Sick bucket!

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

-Haircut, sir?

-They're all starting here together.

-That level of noise is absolutely disgusting!

-YELLING

SCREAMING

UPBEAT JAZZ MUSIC PLAYS

-LAUGHTER

-Yes!

-Oof!

This has seen better days.

-You stink, sir!

-LAUGHTER

CBBC have filled the entire place with cameras, so you'll get to

watch Year Seven every step of the way.

-Ooh!

-Stop waving at me!

-Yeah!

-Hello, I'm Mr Jones. I'm a maths teacher at our school.

And every time that you're here, I'm going to be here, too.

Right now I'm late for a lesson. Excuse me!

Come on in!

# Our School. #

-Boom! Mic drop.

-BELL RINGS

ROCK MUSIC PLAYS

Starting Year Seven means getting to know a whole new bunch of teachers.

Sometimes they'll be funny...

-My first name is Gangster. It's not Gaynor, it's Gangster!

-LAUGHTER

Sometimes they'll be kind...

That's my mission, to make everybody smile.

And sometimes they can be a bit scary...

Sit down on a chair, now!

Sorry about that, but at least I got their attention!

As for Head of Year Mr Shabir, he can be funny, kind,

and scary, all in the same lesson!

Come in, guys. Planners out, equipment on desks.

Morning!

Olivia, why does that bag look so heavy?

Let me see how heavy it is.

He tries to have a joke with you,

but sometimes his jokes are not very funny!

Equipment. You've got a pen and a pencil.

That's not been sharpened. No ruler. Right, textbooks are going home.

Tuck your chair under, don't be scared of the desk. Move forward.

LAUGHTER

You leave the school in 2022,

and the next time you want to come back to school,

you'll have to book appointments. You'll have to go to reception and

say, "I bought this lovely gift for Mr Shabir, can I please drop it off

"for him, because he's been brilliant!"

-LAUGHTER

-Yeah, right! He's not getting any presents!

The crucial skill is having that fine balance between having the firm

and fair approach where students know where they stand.

Where's the equipment, boy?

Take it out. Where's your planner? Open it on this week.

He's strict, but in a good way.

That means knowing when not to push your luck.

Guys, guys, guys...

-Guys?! When I talk, don't speak!

-PHONE RINGS

Which part of that don't you understand?

When I pick this phone up, don't start talking.

Mr Shabir speaking.

He don't let any kid mess around and go out, step out of line.

Uh, when? Uh...

Stand outside, you!

I can, I can spare the five minutes. Yeah, nine o'clock. Cheers, bye.

Bye. I'm sick of the small, low-level disruption.

Giggling, talking, dabbing. I'm talking! It's a classroom!

I think students are very clear of when they shouldn't be messing.

Shiraz, come back in here now!

Try to say that without smiling.

By the way, I've got another announcement, a very important one.

As Christmas is coming, I'm sure you're all planning on buying me

lots of nice gifts and presents.

-No cheap aftershave. Bank details available. I accept cheques!

-LAUGHTER

It's a bit early for Christmas lists, Mr Shabir,

but I suppose it's always good to plan ahead.

Different teachers have different approaches to lessons.

So, what do you think makes a good teacher, Year Seven?

A good teacher would be someone who is kind, caring.

Someone who listens to you.

This is my favourite year group so far,

and I can tell people I'm like your school mum, aren't I?

One at a time, please. Does anyone recognise this sauce?

She tries to be entertaining.

You don't want students to be sitting there, like this...

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

Miss, I'm bored.

You're bored because you're being boring, Ella.

I think that what makes a good teacher is that they're,

like, they're like a kid themselves.

Sir, what inspired you to be an

-art teacher?

-Well, I liked working with young people.

I find young people extremely annoying.

-That's because you are one, probably.

-LAUGHTER

A teacher should be firm and strong, because it's their classroom.

Now, if you don't want to learn, I accept that.

But there's the door - use it. Don't waste my time.

I wouldn't be a teacher. I'd go home. I'd quit.

Oh, I can't stand kids!

What's your three favourite teachers?

Mine's Mr Shabir, Mrs Shore and Miss...

I forgot her name. Miss...um...

Miss Ahmed - she's very kind, helpful, and she sorts problems out.

UPBEAT ROCK MUSIC PLAYS

It's a busy day today.

She's got the tricky task of keeping track of all 270 Year Sevens.

If you have to come to see me, is it normally good or bad?

-Both? I don't know.

-Pleased to hear that, because I don't really

want to be the Wicked Witch.

She can definitely be a bit scary, though!

-What's your name?

-Finlay.

-Finlay, yeah. Very silly, aren't you?

You're being very silly.

You look like a bunch of animals running around.

I wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of her.

-You think it's funny?

-Miss, I can't...

-Do not talk!

If you're being a bit, like, naughty, she will be strict,

but I like her, she's kind.

So, she's a bit like good cop and bad cop.

You do the crime, you have to do the time.

SIREN

Especially when she's being our school's answer to the

-fashion police.

-Look at the state of you. Sort yourself out.

LAUGHTER

I don't let anything drop, especially with uniform.

I'm not happy with the fact that you think you can get away with pumps

with glitter on that stand out.

If I see you in them again, it'll be a detention, young lady.

Love them or hate them,

wearing a uniform does make it easier

to get out of the house in the morning.

Every day, before I get ready for school, I have to decide what I'm

going to wear. As you can see, it's not an easy task,

but I have got my walk-in wardrobe organised.

Organised? I'm surprised she can find anything in there.

Look at it, it's rammed!

So, this side is all my jackets, skirts.

In the middle, that's more my more casual stuff, and on here

I have all my shirts.

As you can see, I have quite a selection of shoes.

Today, I'm going to be wearing these red ones, because my top is red and

my skirt is black, so I do like to coordinate.

If your feet are happy, then you're happy.

UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYS

One Year Seven student who's definitely been keeping all the

teachers on their toes since starting Year Seven is Ella.

No! You dare laugh one more time and I swear...

Um, excuse me, Ella. Very loud!

Like, I think other people think of me, like, mean, sometimes,

because of the way I say stuff.

Shut your mouth!

Ella's beginning to get a reputation for falling out with people.

You've said stuff and I've said stuff. That's not picking on, is it?

-Ella...

-If I've picked on...

-Ella!

Sounds like you're picking on her now!

-I'm not, sir.

-The way you are talking, it is.

I'm not, like, horrible.

Unless, like, someone's horrible to me.

Today, Ella's been involved in an incident with Michael and Fareed.

She kept leaning on my table. I told her to move, she said no.

And then I moved my table back so she could leave me alone,

and then she keeps coming back.

So I get the ruler and did that to her finger.

Ella's gone to report what's happened to Miss Ahmed.

OK, let's just unpick this.

Right, so other students, the key ones Michael and Fareed.

I need your statement, all right?

And I'll get those two in there to do it.

But it's also a chance for Miss to talk about Ella's own behaviour.

What I am concerned about is the way that you're getting involved

-in a lot of the incidents.

-I didn't even do...

You'll be in the same lessons... If he slapped you with a ruler,

I'm definitely going to deal with that.

But you admit that you're not very nice to people, don't you?

Just because I didn't say this before,

it don't mean that it's not going to happen again, does it?

-You're getting worked up for nothing.

-I don't care, Miss.

Wipe your nose with that, not on your coat.

Like, I think I can have a temper sometimes.

If someone says, like, something that I don't like to me,

then I get right annoyed, very fast.

This is the first time you've actually come to me with an issue,

have you not? Every other time I've had to deal with you,

have I sanctioned you for what you've done?

So why are you saying to me now that it's not going to be dealt with?

Have you no faith in me?

So why did you come to me?

I will deal with things, but you really need to be mindful of what

you're saying.

How are you feeling now?

-Better.

-Are you sure?

-Yeah.

-Yeah, you look like you've calmed down now.

The next day, Miss Ahmed gathers everyone involved so she can

get to the bottom of exactly what happened.

Mr Shabir, I just need to take a couple of students out.

Right, I need to take out Ella, Fareed,

Michael, Jenaya, JJ, Chloe and Nameen.

I'm taking half of your class. Sorry, sir.

I've got several statements from most of who was involved.

You've all had time to think about it and reflect on it.

-Fareed.

-So she kept leaning on my table,

I pushed her hand out, telling her, "No, shut up,"

and then she kept leaning back and I pulled my table back, then she gets

her chair and moves back and does it again.

Right, so you was leaning on your chair. You was annoying them. Right.

And then Fareed told me to stop, and then I did,

and then I lent back again, and I didn't put my elbow near his work,

Miss, I must have done that on accident,

and then Michael were telling him to hit me harder on my hand.

Now we're getting somewhere.

Right, Ella, you were saying about

putting your hand on the table, right?

I'm sorry, but you should not be doing that.

-No, Miss.

-We know what actually happened, right?

People were disrespectful to each other, right?

People used violence.

We're all good people, but sometimes we just make the wrong decisions.

Right, so did you make the right decision or wrong yesterday?

-The wrong one.

-Thank you for being so honest,

because at the end of the day, two wrongs don't make a right.

If somebody's been horrible to you and you're just as horrible to them,

it won't make you a better person. It won't make you feel any better.

And there's two sides to every story.

But for Fareed, this one doesn't have a happy ending.

Fareed will be in isolation for a day, on Monday.

If you hit somebody, it's a day in isolation, OK?

You know what you did wrong, so I want to see some changed behaviours.

Is that understood?

-Ella. Some changed behaviours.

-OK, Miss!

-Take that out of your mouth!

Settling into a new school and getting to know everyone can be

pretty daunting, and not just for the students.

-Goggles are all on, right?

-Yeah.

-Good!

Newly-qualified teacher Mr Shore's already made a big

impression in his first term at our school...

THEY YELL IN AMAZEMENT

And although secondary school can be a bit of a scrum...

You need to go to sin bin for that, do you understand?

You've pushed people.

..that's nothing new for Mr Shore.

I've played rugby since I was six.

DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYS

Let's do this.

What I love about rugby is, firstly, the team environment.

I love being able to play on a Saturday with all my friends.

I love that it suits a lot of different people. You've got

different positions, for small people and fast people, and then

there's positions for those that are perhaps a bit bigger or stronger.

I find after, like, a really tough day at school,

I find coming to rugby a real good stress reliever.

It's nice to sort of get it off your chest.

CHEERING AND YELLING

Ben's actually a very skilful player.

Very quick and physical.

Thanks, Joe. That's really nice of you.

-We're playing on Saturday, so you expect that.

-LAUGHTER

-Now that I've bigged you up.

-Yeah, you've got to, yeah.

It is an adrenaline rush. I love the excitement on a Saturday,

sort of putting on the rugby shirt, playing for your mates,

just doing your best, crowd watching from the sidelines. I love it.

In Year Seven, you get pretty used to hearing what your form tutor

-thinks about you.

-Our form's punctuality was really good.

We need to be better at this.

Let's not start this half term like that, OK?

But today, the school have agreed to try a new experiment

called 360 Degree Feedback.

Instead of being told what Mr Shore and Mr Shabir think of them,

these Year Sevens get to quiz their form tutors and report on how

they're doing for once.

So, we want student feedback, so we can improve, can't we?

Cos nobody's perfect. Mr Shore might think he's perfect.

-I'm definitely not perfect...

-Would you say he's perfect?

-Yeah.

-All good?

That was easy! So why's Mr Shabir looking so worried?

I think Mr Shabir's a little bit nervous...

Were you ever naughty in primary or nursery, or anything like that?

-Baby Shabir!

-LAUGHTER

What kind of things do you think Mr Shabir got into trouble for?

-Talking!

-You saying I've got a big gob?

-LAUGHTER

I loved school, but you're right.

We were, just like all young people, a little bit naughty,

and I think I'd better stop there!

If you were to pick any position in school, except for science,

-which would it be?

-I'd like to be Head of Year,

just because then I'd get to see more Year Sevens.

He's after Mr Shabir's job!

Maybe that's why he's nervous!

Or I'd like to work in the canteen.

-Because then I can eat all the food.

-You're so greedy, sir!

Yeah, it's a bit greedy, but, yeah, when no-one's looking, just a

-little chip.

-What's your favourite food?

-My favourite food is sushi.

-I don't like sushi.

-So, yeah, raw fish.

-Eewww!

This is supposed to be a chance to ask the big questions about what

-really makes your teachers tick.

-How do you get your hair like that?

-Yeah!

-I brush it,

and I put some wax in it.

It looks like you've just been dragged through the jungle

-backwards.

-It does, doesn't it? But that's the look I go for.

Bit harsh! This is all getting rather personal...

-Have you ever had no beard?

-We've been together for a long time...

-LAUGHTER

-His beard...

-It's a she!

-LAUGHTER

Do you trim it, sir?

You smell so strong, it's like you're overloaded with perfume.

-You stink, sir!

-LAUGHTER

The beard takes a lot of upkeep - shampoos, conditioners,

oils, straighteners, blow-dryers,

but it's clearly worth it.

What's the best thing about being a teacher?

Working with people like you.

If you make people feel happy and comfortable,

then those feelings stay with those people for life.

I don't get a pay rise if you get a good grade,

I get satisfaction and happiness and contentment.

Erm, what's the worst thing about teaching?

When people don't listen, or think that...acting like they don't care.

The teachers spend a lot of time planning the lessons,

and then when the pupils don't listen,

the teachers take it very personally.

They think that they're not a good teacher.

Mr Shabir reckons he knows exactly what you think of his lessons.

-I have the power of reading your minds.

-How?

-Do you want to see?

I'll prove it. So, if you guys want to answer my questions, in

your mind, don't say this out loud. One add one.

Two add two.

Four add four.

Eight add eight.

Think of a vegetable.

-Say it out.

-Carrot.

LAUGHTER

Whoa. How did he do that?

-That was...

-Right, read my mind, what I'm thinking right now.

-You're thinking naughty things.

-LAUGHTER

True, true, that is the truth.

Describe him in three words, now, quickly.

Strict, nice, kind, motivated, caring...

That's too many.

-Excellent.

-Ten out of ten.

-That's four.

-100%.

-Ten out of ten.

-Ten of ten.

You lot obviously need to pay more attention in my maths lessons.

-Best teacher ever.

-Yeah!

He's a brilliant teacher, he knows everything.

So, Mr Shabir and Mr Shore both get A-stars from our students.

-All right, thank you, sir.

-All right, Miss.

-Sir, who do you love more?

-No more questions now.

No, who do you love more - your beard or your wife?

Anyone got anything to add?

It was nice to, like, know Mr Shabir more, cos we only know him

for, like...computing and form tutor.

But he's actually a really nice guy.

Sounds like Finlay is fishing for an A-star to me.

UPBEAT JAZZ MUSIC PLAYS

One of the best parts of secondary school is trying new things.

Add your books in a pile, get yourself packed away.

After school, some of the Year Seven boys are going to Mr Shore's rugby

club, to try out his favourite sport.

I guess I was hoping that, by introducing them to rugby, it might,

firstly, show them a sport they've definitely not experienced before.

-I thought it was just about tackling...

-And pain.

-Exactly.

THEY LAUGH

Months of planning, and the day before, I just got really,

really sick. I was absolutely gutted.

Luckily for the boys, Mr Shabir's on the subs bench.

What do I know about rugby? Do I look like a rugby player?

That's better. Now you do.

UPBEAT HIP-HOP PLAYS

Looks more like a school disco than a rugby trip.

-Ah, yes, guys, we're here!

-About time, man! Finally!

-Yay!

-Rugby! Rugby!

That looks sick!

They've got a stand and everything!

Yeah!

It was cool, because it was huge, it was, like, probably as big as

a real one.

The size of Sheffield's ground isn't the only big surprise.

-ALL:

-Who-o-o-oa!

He's huge!

Mr Shore has arranged a very special coach to train the boys.

Ben Foden. He plays for Northampton Saints in the Premiership.

He's also played for England. A really good player.

So I guess he would be one of my role models.

CHEERING

He has, like, legs for arms, and arms for legs.

-It's like, he's massive.

-He never skipped arm or leg day.

His biceps were, like, the size of our heads combined, like, like this.

Finlay? Ask your question.

What is your worst injury you've ever had?

Er, one I had two seasons ago, I ruptured my ACL ligament.

-Who-o-oa!

-Jeez!

-Sounds painful.

What exactly is an ACL?

Is that arm or leg?

No, it's...he broke the kneecap

thing, like a little stretchy thing,

I don't know what you call it...

That's close enough.

The anterior cruciate ligament is the bit that lets you move your knee

backwards and forwards.

Asking Ben questions was incredible.

What's the most famous person you've met?

Er, I would probably say the Queen.

-What?!

-Oh, my God!

I didn't know you could meet the Queen if you're just a rugby player.

-Yeah, you can.

-What's the Queen like?

-What do you think the Queen would be like?

-Old.

-Sassy!

-Old and grey!

Careful. People have been thrown in the Tower for less than that.

Well, I'm not bothered.

Why, man? That's the Queen, man.

But I'm not bothered about the Queen.

Now, anyone who's met Wayne knows there's one subject he definitely

-is bothered about.

-What do you think's better - rugby or football?

Oh! Obviously I'm biased. I'm very biased. Are you all football fans,

-or have we got a few rugby players?

-Yeah!

-You know what,

one piece of advice for you all,

you should do as many sports as you can when you're young,

because they develop you in all sorts of different areas.

-You didn't say which one was better.

-Oh, rugby's obviously better.

-Yeah!

-Walk away. Calm down, boys.

-I know rugby's a contact sport,

but the training hasn't even started yet!

Oh, I was fuming!

Hang on, I think you two would be more suited for rugby, not football.

You don't get any of that in football.

-You get a bit of that in rugby, though.

-Good, good tackle.

You should have seen Wayne and Fareed, like, boxed him.

-Winched him.

-LAUGHTER

ENERGETIC MUSIC PLAYS

He were only playing. He wasn't doing it to full-on harm.

So, fellas, are we ready to get out on the pitch and give rugby a go?

-ALL:

-Yeah!

With Mr Shore ill, it's down to Mr Shabir to give the boys that

all-important pre-match pep talk.

We're representing Firth Park Year Seven, to show Ben how good we are.

Resilience, hard work, dedication, good communication skills.

On three, Firth Park.

One, two, three, Firth Park!

Keep it with Michael. Come into space, here.

Yeah, Mr Shabir's like our school manager.

He was stood there, with his arms, a massive coat on,

-a hat and a nice suit on.

-WHISTLE BLOWS

Make sure you get on the floor. Let's get down and do it.

It's what rugby's all about.

Let's go. Hit the pads. Good. That's good aggression.

WHISTLE BLOWS

Yeah, they seem really good for a bunch of guys that haven't played

much rugby before. It's really good to see the kids getting the hang of

rugby very quickly.

In fact, someone could be giving Mr Shore stiff competition for our

school's star rugby player. WHISTLE BLOWS

I thought you run slow, no offence,

but you flipping pelt it, man!

Alojz was like Usain Bolt, he was on a mission.

-I'm very fast, because I train.

-WHISTLE BLOWS

Alojz is absolutely loving it. He's made for rugby, he loves it.

But someone who definitely isn't loving rugby is Wayne.

Yeah!

Wayne was really hyper on the trip.

He was crazy.

WHISTLE BLOWS

He was really wanting to win, like, really wanting to win.

-He's like me.

-Wanting to win is one thing,

but taking a swing at someone is hardly fair play.

Keep your hands to yourself, please, young man.

Michael, like, he was doing something and

then, like, when we were trying to get the ball, like,

he got all aggressive and defensive, like...

WHISTLE BLOWS

Sometimes Wayne can get a bit carried away,

so Mr Shabir steps in before things get messy.

You need to get yourself into some space, no need to keep shouting.

You're running around, "Pass it here," and shouting.

You're barking instructions to everyone.

Get yourself into position, calm yourself down,

and use a team member.

Pass the ball, pass the ball!

I wasn't calming down because no-one gave me a chance, and what am I

supposed to do when no-one gives me a chance?

Yes, Wayne, you're on the ball, Wayne.

Plenty of time. Put it in, Wayne! Pass it in! Good ball.

Looks like a quiet word from the guvnor's done the trick.

Oh, I loved it, mate!

I was buzzing with a capital B.

Wayne's got his first point in rugby.

He's happy, and hopefully this is the start for him to maybe take

rugby up and never touch a football ever again.

-I don't think that's going to happen.

-WHISTLE BLOWS

Playing rugby is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity

for me, because I'm never going to play rugby ever again.

It was a fantastic effort by everyone involved, OK?

I think you showed a lot of ambition, and a lot of future talent

-is on display here, OK?

-All of us thought it was cool,

some people thought they might not like it.

But in the end, we played as a team and everyone did.

Have I convinced you to go and join your local rugby team?

-Yeah!

-No, no, no!

-LAUGHTER

The boys have had a great time,

but there's one person who's had to miss out on all the fun.

As we know, Mr Shore is not feeling too well and this is his rugby club,

so can we have a nice message for Mr Shore, please?

-ALL:

-Get well soon, Mr Shore!

You're the best in the school, you can be jumping in the pool.

It did make me feel a lot better. It was really nice, with Ben Foden as

well. Yeah, it really brightened up my day.

It shows how, like, how much care we care for him.

I don't know if that was grammatically correct, but

that's how I'm saying it.

Year Seven can be a bit daunting,

but making new friends and meeting dedicated, inspirational teachers

means you'll have a lot of fun, too.

-Sign mine!

-And you never know, you might even learn a few things.

Who do you think is better -

Ben or Mr Shore?

Ben, because he is an England national flipping rugby player!

-And then...

-I think Mr Shore.

Next time, it's fright night at Our School.

-If you're a ghost, give us a sign.

-DOOR SLAMS

-SCREAM

-Who was that?

-Oh!

-Our best rugby faces are...

-Ggrrr!

I don't know why I do it, I always do this eyebrow thing.

When I was... I was like...

-Like my gums...

-LAUGHTER

I find that hard to do.

Put the imaginary gumshield in...

and walking like...

LAUGHTER