0:00:02 > 0:00:06The expectations for us is that we go to McDonald's
0:00:06 > 0:00:08and clean the toilets,
0:00:08 > 0:00:11do not get very far and don't do very well.
0:00:15 > 0:00:19These six teenagers are exceptionally talented.
0:00:19 > 0:00:22They have all been identified as gifted
0:00:22 > 0:00:24in at least one subject by their schools...
0:00:25 > 0:00:27Maths is like puzzle solving.
0:00:27 > 0:00:31I don't know why, but I really enjoy finding answers.
0:00:31 > 0:00:32When I'm drawing, I just feel like I'm escaping
0:00:32 > 0:00:34everything around me.
0:00:34 > 0:00:37..but all are from disadvantaged backgrounds.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40My mum does struggle for money.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43I think it's going to be £500 for university.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46The money is there for those who can push them through the door
0:00:46 > 0:00:48but we're not in that category.
0:00:48 > 0:00:49BELL RINGS
0:00:49 > 0:00:52Kids living in poverty are half as likely to achieve
0:00:52 > 0:00:56the top GCSE grades as their better-off classmates.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59Life is not as simple as a linear graph, and it does not go straight.
0:01:02 > 0:01:06We will follow these kids over the next three crucial years,
0:01:06 > 0:01:11from age 13 until they take their final GCSE exams at 16.
0:01:11 > 0:01:12Best of luck today.
0:01:12 > 0:01:14You may begin.
0:01:14 > 0:01:16They expect me to get the top, top, top grades.
0:01:18 > 0:01:22We'll return each year to see the challenges they'll have to overcome,
0:01:22 > 0:01:23both at school...
0:01:23 > 0:01:26Now, what do you think may be causing these kick-offs and things?
0:01:26 > 0:01:28..and at home.
0:01:28 > 0:01:30Did you honestly think, when you got them scores,
0:01:30 > 0:01:32I was going to sit there and go, "Ah, well..."
0:01:32 > 0:01:36No, I did not. That's why I don't tell these things.
0:01:36 > 0:01:40At a time when social mobility in the UK is in sharp decline...
0:01:40 > 0:01:44I don't want to be in poverty, but neither do a lot of people,
0:01:44 > 0:01:47and a lot of people don't have that choice.
0:01:47 > 0:01:51We'll find out just how far these kids can really go.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55This is where their journey begins.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58But it's like giving someone a head start in a race -
0:01:58 > 0:02:00it's your job to catch up.
0:02:09 > 0:02:11BELL RINGS
0:02:16 > 0:02:18Hi!
0:02:25 > 0:02:27So, up here is science.
0:02:27 > 0:02:30Science is one of my favourite lessons.
0:02:30 > 0:02:35In year eight, I got a gold award for science.
0:02:37 > 0:02:41The school has got these things called high attainers,
0:02:41 > 0:02:43and I'm one of them,
0:02:43 > 0:02:44and my teachers are always saying,
0:02:44 > 0:02:47"You've lots of potential inside of you,"
0:02:47 > 0:02:50but I know I need to keep on pushing forward
0:02:50 > 0:02:52and I can't let anything stop us.
0:02:52 > 0:02:54Ah... A point, excellent.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57Right... Pick one for them.
0:02:57 > 0:02:58Amino acid. Emma Jo.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01KIDS GROAN, TEACHER LAUGHS
0:03:02 > 0:03:04Excellent. Right, tie-breaker.
0:03:04 > 0:03:06Two team captains, stand there. Tie-breaker.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09- Go on, Liam.- The first person to tell me the answer, OK?
0:03:09 > 0:03:11Just shout it.
0:03:11 > 0:03:18What is the optimum pH of pepsin?
0:03:18 > 0:03:19PH2.
0:03:19 > 0:03:21- Well done. - LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE
0:03:21 > 0:03:24Right, team. This one's to Liam's team.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27Liam is... You know, he's incredibly bright.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30We've done the first, kind of, GCSE test
0:03:30 > 0:03:32so obviously it goes from one to nine,
0:03:32 > 0:03:35where five would be the new good GCSE,
0:03:35 > 0:03:38and he got a nine which is, you know, fantastic.
0:03:38 > 0:03:40It's the highest you can get now.
0:03:40 > 0:03:42You think about the grammar schools and the private schools,
0:03:42 > 0:03:45why should they get all the luck?
0:03:45 > 0:03:47If a kid is bright, then they should continue to be bright
0:03:47 > 0:03:50and we should be doing everything we can to ensure that they are
0:03:50 > 0:03:52making the best possible progress for them.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57I've never made puff pastry before.
0:03:57 > 0:04:01I've made shortcrust pastry before but never puff pastry,
0:04:01 > 0:04:04so this is going to be new.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09I would be looking at trying to get it into your hands, Liam,
0:04:09 > 0:04:10because if you look at the...
0:04:10 > 0:04:13The bit at the bottom was more wet, wasn't it?
0:04:13 > 0:04:14The bits around the top weren't.
0:04:16 > 0:04:20It's year nine, and the start of GCSEs,
0:04:20 > 0:04:23and Liam's already got his future mapped out.
0:04:24 > 0:04:29I want to be a chef and, like, open up restaurants internationally.
0:04:29 > 0:04:31It's looking really good.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33There it is - complete.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36My grandad was a chef but he didn't succeed at it,
0:04:36 > 0:04:41so he believes that I'm going to fail just like he did,
0:04:41 > 0:04:44and I just want to prove to him that I am capable
0:04:44 > 0:04:46of achieving my dreams.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50Few kids from Walker Tech go on to higher education.
0:04:50 > 0:04:54Mr Boyce wants Liam to recognise his academic potential.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57Do you see science in your future?
0:04:57 > 0:05:00Yeah, like, I want to become a chef
0:05:00 > 0:05:02and, like apply the science to cooking.
0:05:02 > 0:05:03Amazing, yeah.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07- I mean, you know, cooking is mostly chemical changes, isn't it?- Mm-hmm.
0:05:07 > 0:05:08That's great.
0:05:08 > 0:05:10Did you always have that or is it that
0:05:10 > 0:05:12the more you've learned from the science,
0:05:12 > 0:05:14the more you want to put it into your cooking?
0:05:14 > 0:05:16I found out that I was quite good at science
0:05:16 > 0:05:21and I, like, kind of, got interested in it
0:05:21 > 0:05:25and then my auntie showed us Heston Blumenthal...
0:05:25 > 0:05:26Yeah, yeah.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29..and he's just an idol of mine.
0:05:29 > 0:05:30- Is he?- Yeah.
0:05:30 > 0:05:31He's a massive idol of mine.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33Everyone keeps on saying I'm like Gordon Ramsay
0:05:33 > 0:05:35cos I've got anger or something like that.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37- You've got anger?- Yeah. - I don't see that anger.
0:05:37 > 0:05:39You're just normally giggling in the corner.
0:05:39 > 0:05:43- LIAM GIGGLES - Erm... Yeah.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45Obviously, you know, I know your passion for cooking
0:05:45 > 0:05:47but if you can put science into that, that's fantastic.
0:05:47 > 0:05:51It's about being able to see all the transferable skills
0:05:51 > 0:05:53that science gives you.
0:05:53 > 0:05:54Yeah?
0:05:55 > 0:05:59All they've seen around them is low ambition.
0:06:00 > 0:06:04When people ask about what comes out of this area, it's Geordie Shore,
0:06:04 > 0:06:05and you ask the kids,
0:06:05 > 0:06:07and that's what they know of Newcastle is Geordie Shore,
0:06:07 > 0:06:12and it's sad, really, cos they've got, like, John Dobson
0:06:12 > 0:06:15and George Stephenson, amazing scientists from this area
0:06:15 > 0:06:18that they have no clue about, even though parts
0:06:18 > 0:06:20of the school are named after them.
0:06:20 > 0:06:25But I think it's a lack of aspiration that possibly
0:06:25 > 0:06:27runs in the family and runs in the area.
0:06:27 > 0:06:29It's just about getting the likes of Liam,
0:06:29 > 0:06:33who I don't think contemplates a science career,
0:06:33 > 0:06:35into the mind-set of, "This might be for me."
0:06:45 > 0:06:49I live with my mum and my brother, who...
0:06:49 > 0:06:54My brother really annoys us, and my mum really loves it
0:06:54 > 0:06:56when I get good in tests.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58They love the mini pizzas.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00What have you got to revise?
0:07:00 > 0:07:03It's all about the Germans and the Treaty of Versailles, and it's all
0:07:03 > 0:07:08about giving across money and land to the winners, which were Britain,
0:07:08 > 0:07:10France and America.
0:07:10 > 0:07:12History homework, done.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14- Maths?- Done.
0:07:14 > 0:07:15So is that everything done now?
0:07:15 > 0:07:17Yeah.
0:07:17 > 0:07:19I told you, no technology today,
0:07:19 > 0:07:23because you didn't come off it last night when I said.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26- Ooh.- There you go. Enjoy.
0:07:26 > 0:07:27Yours is in now, Ryan.
0:07:27 > 0:07:28It won't be long.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32How much do you normally have in your budget for food a week?
0:07:32 > 0:07:36It varies between about £20 and £40,
0:07:36 > 0:07:38depending on what bills I've got to pay.
0:07:39 > 0:07:43So that's 20 to 40 quid for three of you a week?
0:07:43 > 0:07:47Yeah. When I first had Liam and Ryan, I needed things for them,
0:07:47 > 0:07:51so I got loans for...to get what I needed,
0:07:51 > 0:07:55and then you just rely on the loans,
0:07:55 > 0:07:59and getting them back when you need something,
0:07:59 > 0:08:03if you haven't got the money, and it just goes on and on and on.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09Nicola split from the boys' dad when they were small.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12She now works the checkout at a discount store to support them.
0:08:13 > 0:08:18I know my mum's working as hard as she can to, like,
0:08:18 > 0:08:20get a bit of money for us,
0:08:20 > 0:08:27but I just miss, like, seeing her and spending time with her.
0:08:27 > 0:08:31She's a bigger role model than she understands, for me -
0:08:31 > 0:08:34like, she's one of the biggest role models I've got in my life.
0:08:34 > 0:08:39MUM AND RYAN SPEAK INDISTINCTLY
0:08:39 > 0:08:40Yeah.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44I love looking at my baby photos.
0:08:44 > 0:08:45I was such a cute baby.
0:08:48 > 0:08:52And I look at ones of, like, my dad and all of that.
0:08:52 > 0:08:56Like, he looks so happy feeding us and everything,
0:08:56 > 0:08:59and yet he's not even in my life any more
0:08:59 > 0:09:02and it just really upsets us.
0:09:03 > 0:09:10We don't talk about his dad because I know how angry it makes him.
0:09:10 > 0:09:15He physically shakes when we talk about him,
0:09:15 > 0:09:17he's that angry with him.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20- Nah...- That means it must be divide.
0:09:20 > 0:09:22- Yes, it is divide... - It's got to be that.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25- ..because if they're next to each other, it means times...- Inverse.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28..so you've got to do the inverse operation to get rid of this.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31My brother, like, I always feel like I've got to support him
0:09:31 > 0:09:33cos, ever since my dad left,
0:09:33 > 0:09:38I feel like I've had to be, like, my brother's dad
0:09:38 > 0:09:41when really I've needed that dad there,
0:09:41 > 0:09:47and so I just want to make sure that he's cared for.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50Add 7, which equals 20,
0:09:50 > 0:09:53divided by 5, which equals 4.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58Now, have you done simultaneous equations?
0:09:58 > 0:10:00I'll write down a sum for you.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03Come on, then.
0:10:03 > 0:10:07You've got to divide 210 by 7 to find 1Y.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11Come on, I'm not writing the answer for you.
0:10:11 > 0:10:1330.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15Well done.
0:10:15 > 0:10:16Like I said, it works out perfectly.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19- LIAM GIGGLES - Oh...
0:10:19 > 0:10:22I'm afraid of failing my family, especially Ryan.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27That's really what I'm afraid of failing at.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29SEA BIRDS SQUAWK
0:10:42 > 0:10:45I'm 13 years old, I'm in year nine,
0:10:45 > 0:10:48and we are in Hartlepool
0:10:48 > 0:10:50in the north-east of Great Britain...
0:10:50 > 0:10:52which isn't that great.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57I have been told I never stop thinking, and it's true.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59To be honest, I don't know if there's a moment
0:10:59 > 0:11:00when I ever stop thinking.
0:11:00 > 0:11:04I try to stop thinking and then I'm thinking about stopping thinking.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10It's the spring term, and Kian's just decided
0:11:10 > 0:11:12his subject choices for GCSE.
0:11:12 > 0:11:14KIAN LAUGHS
0:11:15 > 0:11:19I want to be a computer coder, or work in that sort of area.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21That's how I am trying to do my subjects -
0:11:21 > 0:11:24I'm trying to link them all up for computing, like maths, statistics...
0:11:24 > 0:11:29There's just sort of worrying because if you mess up,
0:11:29 > 0:11:32you're stuck with it for the next three years.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34- You remember when we did factorizing?- Yeah.
0:11:34 > 0:11:38Mm-hmm? What can I factor out of these two?
0:11:38 > 0:11:39- 11.- Yeah.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42So, what if I really irritate you,
0:11:42 > 0:11:45and change one of your numbers to an X?
0:11:45 > 0:11:493 times 5... 3 times 10 equals 30, and that's not 11.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52Mm-hmm, but 30 plus 3 is...
0:11:52 > 0:11:53Well, 33.
0:11:53 > 0:11:54Oh, hello.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59And 10X plus 1X?
0:11:59 > 0:12:01- 11X.- Oh, that's handy.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03Kian is a fantastic lad.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06He is always enthusiastic when he's in the lessons.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08As the lesson progresses, he'll be saying,
0:12:08 > 0:12:11"Oh, is there not something a bit trickier I could be doing?"
0:12:11 > 0:12:13So, you'll put a big puzzle on the board for him,
0:12:13 > 0:12:16and I've seen Kian burn through the main material
0:12:16 > 0:12:19and then spend an entire hour on some fairly tricky puzzle
0:12:19 > 0:12:22that he just enjoys, so, as a math man...
0:12:22 > 0:12:24As a maths teacher goes, he's a bit of a dream.
0:12:26 > 0:12:30Where Kian might fall down occasionally I would suspect
0:12:30 > 0:12:33is possibly when it comes to the exams.
0:12:35 > 0:12:40Things aren't going to go smoothly because, as I've found out in life,
0:12:40 > 0:12:41that's not how things work,
0:12:41 > 0:12:43but you just want to try
0:12:43 > 0:12:45and make it as stable as possible
0:12:45 > 0:12:48without everything messing up.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50He's not here.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53This is the year that pressure increases at school.
0:12:53 > 0:12:58It's assistant head Laura Ovens' job to ensure that disadvantaged pupils
0:12:58 > 0:12:59fulfil their potential.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06Kian is within the free school meals group.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08Free school meal children know they're free school meal children.
0:13:08 > 0:13:12There are certain things like confidence, self-esteem...
0:13:12 > 0:13:14They'll know they are free school meals.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17There is an element they talk about...
0:13:17 > 0:13:21I mean, education-wise, there's been a lot of research that's indicated
0:13:21 > 0:13:24that they always in life will never feel that they truly belong.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29I don't think I have an equal opportunity
0:13:29 > 0:13:31cos of the financial background,
0:13:31 > 0:13:34but it's just like giving someone a head start in a race -
0:13:34 > 0:13:36it's your job to catch up.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42It's that one.
0:13:42 > 0:13:46Kian's dad, Gary, is full-time carer for mum, Angela.
0:13:46 > 0:13:48The family has to rely on benefits.
0:13:50 > 0:13:51He knows things are tight.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55He came home with a letter for a school trip,
0:13:55 > 0:13:57and he brought it home and he hid it away,
0:13:57 > 0:14:00and I found it and I went, "What's the letter?"
0:14:00 > 0:14:02He went, "Oh, that's for a school trip,"
0:14:02 > 0:14:04and he said, "I know we can't afford it,"
0:14:04 > 0:14:06and he said, "so there was no point in showing you."
0:14:06 > 0:14:09I said, "Yeah, but you should still show us."
0:14:09 > 0:14:14But that's why we want him to succeed at what he's doing now,
0:14:14 > 0:14:17so he never has to be in the position where his kid's doing that.
0:14:20 > 0:14:22It's a horrible feeling.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28They've said to me they're going to try and support me
0:14:28 > 0:14:31in college and uni or whatever,
0:14:31 > 0:14:32but...
0:14:34 > 0:14:36..I don't want them to.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38It's cos it'll end up...
0:14:38 > 0:14:40It might put them in a worse position.
0:14:44 > 0:14:46My dad hasn't ever really talked about that.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49He's just like, "OK, you need to go to college and go to university,
0:14:49 > 0:14:51"then get a job."
0:14:51 > 0:14:53You need to do the homework.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55I actually get very little homework.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58No, I know you're doing it on the bus before you get in.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01Sometimes you need a kick up the arse.
0:15:01 > 0:15:03So, over the next two years, if you put that work in,
0:15:03 > 0:15:05you'll get, like, top marks in it.
0:15:05 > 0:15:06Dad, you know what I'm like.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09I will pressure myself to get full marks anyway.
0:15:09 > 0:15:13I don't mind that. That's what you want to be aiming for every time.
0:15:13 > 0:15:14It's when you slip backwards...
0:15:14 > 0:15:16Yeah, but you're always going to slip backwards.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19Why do you have to slip backwards?
0:15:19 > 0:15:22Because life is not as simple as a linear graph,
0:15:22 > 0:15:23and it does not go straight.
0:15:24 > 0:15:26He loves baffling me.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28He takes great delight in it,
0:15:28 > 0:15:31and he keeps trying to get one over on me and he hasn't succeeded yet,
0:15:31 > 0:15:32but he does give it a try.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34- I think he takes it as a challenge. - I like it.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36And he does, yeah. I like it, mind.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39I think he thinks he's the smartest person in the room,
0:15:39 > 0:15:41but I think he's basically insecure.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44If I could get something to improve over the next couple of years,
0:15:44 > 0:15:46I think that would be his confidence.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51I like someone looking out for me at times,
0:15:51 > 0:15:54and then there are times when it's just frankly irritating.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56Like, cos I'll be focused on doing something else
0:15:56 > 0:15:58and they'll be like, "Kian, come here.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00"Why have you not done your science homework?"
0:16:00 > 0:16:03"Because I'm trying to do this English and maths."
0:16:06 > 0:16:09It can be quite irritating at times...
0:16:11 > 0:16:14..but otherwise, yeah, it feels good.
0:16:14 > 0:16:15Feels good.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33My mum always tells me,
0:16:33 > 0:16:37"Never make the fact that we're not financially stable hold you back."
0:16:43 > 0:16:46I think, like, if you really want that A-star,
0:16:46 > 0:16:49do what you need to do to get those grades,
0:16:49 > 0:16:53so I feel like it's how much you really want to hit that goal.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59Jamarley's an academic all-rounder,
0:16:59 > 0:17:02but it's in music that he really shines.
0:17:12 > 0:17:16I've just always been passionate about my music, and I want to have
0:17:16 > 0:17:21a really good grade when I finish my music GCSE, as well.
0:17:23 > 0:17:27Jamarley is already facing his first GCSE deadline -
0:17:27 > 0:17:30he's got to produce an original composition this year.
0:17:30 > 0:17:34Just so I'm clear, you've got your first section done,
0:17:34 > 0:17:35- is that right?- Yeah.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38OK, so you need your contrasting section.
0:17:38 > 0:17:40I mean, I kind of do have a contrasting section with the melody.
0:17:40 > 0:17:41Can you show me?
0:17:53 > 0:17:57What interval works with harmonies, do you know?
0:17:57 > 0:17:58- No.- OK.
0:17:58 > 0:18:00Thirds work really nicely.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15Jamarley's got a sort of natural musicality to him.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18You know, we're told to, sort of, look out for...
0:18:18 > 0:18:20We call them "groovers".
0:18:20 > 0:18:22So, if you play a piece of music, for example,
0:18:22 > 0:18:23you watch out for the kids
0:18:23 > 0:18:25who are kind of going like this,
0:18:25 > 0:18:27who are internalising the music so they have that natural sense of
0:18:27 > 0:18:29rhythm and pulse and everything,
0:18:29 > 0:18:30and he's definitely one of them.
0:18:30 > 0:18:34I mean, for kids like him, the sky should be the limit, really.
0:18:39 > 0:18:43My mum thinks that I put more time into my music
0:18:43 > 0:18:46than I do with any other subject.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50She wants me to pass every other subject
0:18:50 > 0:18:53with sixes, sevens and eights.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57And she has really high, high
0:18:57 > 0:18:59gradings she wants me to get.
0:19:01 > 0:19:05It really does put pressure on me because of the amount of work,
0:19:05 > 0:19:09but, you know, that's me, like, risking my music to make sure
0:19:09 > 0:19:12that she gets what she expects.
0:19:22 > 0:19:23Jamarley!
0:19:23 > 0:19:24Yes, Mum?
0:19:24 > 0:19:29- Can you pull up your pants?- I am! They keep falling down!
0:19:29 > 0:19:31SHE LAUGHS
0:19:31 > 0:19:33And in classes we have...
0:19:33 > 0:19:36In the core subjects like English, science and maths, we have sets.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38So the top set, the middle set and...
0:19:38 > 0:19:40- And the bottom set.- There we go.
0:19:40 > 0:19:46So I have been in middle set for the whole of year seven,
0:19:46 > 0:19:49the whole of year eight until today, innit?
0:19:49 > 0:19:52- LAUGHTER - What happened today?- Until today.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54What happened?
0:19:54 > 0:19:55I got moved down to the bottom set.
0:19:55 > 0:19:57Oh!
0:19:57 > 0:19:58Stop it.
0:19:58 > 0:20:00I'm joking. I got moved to the top set.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03- What did you...?- Don't lie!- Yeah.
0:20:03 > 0:20:04- Seriously?- Mm-hmm.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07So I'll be, like, PE top set, English top set,
0:20:07 > 0:20:09science top set, maths middle set.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11No, that's good, though!
0:20:11 > 0:20:14- I can't... I can't reach my arms... - No, but that's good, Jamarley!
0:20:17 > 0:20:22I want them to have a good job and I want them to grow up, you know,
0:20:22 > 0:20:26being good, good gentlemen to society.
0:20:26 > 0:20:30To write the story, use the settings, yeah,
0:20:30 > 0:20:31from the image below.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34I always try to push them to do well in school,
0:20:34 > 0:20:36so that they can get good grades,
0:20:36 > 0:20:39so that they don't have any limitation for them,
0:20:39 > 0:20:41they can go for any job they want to,
0:20:41 > 0:20:45so this is why it's very important for him to get good grades.
0:20:47 > 0:20:51Renee works full-time as a court security guard.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53She's separated from Jamarley's dad,
0:20:53 > 0:20:56but he's stayed close at hand, until this year.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00My dad's been having immigration problems,
0:21:00 > 0:21:04and my dad recently got deported back to Jamaica,
0:21:04 > 0:21:06so he's not here right now.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09PHONE RINGS
0:21:09 > 0:21:11- Hello.- Hello.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15Um... With school, everything is going good.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18Like, top set for English and science, which is good.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21- Yeah.- This is a good feeling.
0:21:24 > 0:21:26Yeah, I know.
0:21:26 > 0:21:30My dad used to come to my parents' evenings,
0:21:30 > 0:21:32and if I had a football match and I told him,
0:21:32 > 0:21:34he would come to them as well.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37What I miss the most is the fact he's not here to support me
0:21:37 > 0:21:39any more in person.
0:21:41 > 0:21:43Yeah, yeah.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49Yeah, you too. See you soon.
0:21:49 > 0:21:51- All right, then. Bye-bye. - All right. Bye.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56When they took him, that's probably when I needed him the most,
0:21:56 > 0:22:01to be honest, so hopefully I don't mess up my GCSEs.
0:22:01 > 0:22:06My mum wouldn't need to worry as much, because at this point,
0:22:06 > 0:22:11I hope I am successful enough to pay my bills and her bills.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14I always tell him, it is OK to feel sad for your dad.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16It's fine. Feel sad.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19But how are we going to deal with this, Jamarley?
0:22:19 > 0:22:21I always tell him it's OK for us to be poor.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24It's OK, it's fine.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27That is what you're born in and this is what you managed to become,
0:22:27 > 0:22:30but it's what you do again after that
0:22:30 > 0:22:32that makes you a better person.
0:22:32 > 0:22:37With everything you do, you always have to try and hope for the best.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40You don't always get life the way how you want it,
0:22:40 > 0:22:44but, you know, you always hope for the best.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01All right, so, I will just read the stage directions
0:23:01 > 0:23:03just after the inspector leaves.
0:23:03 > 0:23:05He walks straight out...
0:23:05 > 0:23:09Jamarley's teachers have helped support him through the upheaval
0:23:09 > 0:23:11of his dad's deportation.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14Jamarley has incredible potential
0:23:14 > 0:23:19to do very, very well in anything that he chooses to put his mind to.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22We were all really concerned about how he was going to cope with
0:23:22 > 0:23:25everything that was going on at home,
0:23:25 > 0:23:28but I think the fact that he wants to prove it to his mum,
0:23:28 > 0:23:33I think he wants to support her and make her proud,
0:23:33 > 0:23:36is going to push him through having to manage
0:23:36 > 0:23:38all of the pressures of home,
0:23:38 > 0:23:43all the emotions of dealing with what has happened with Dad.
0:23:43 > 0:23:48And we would have fully expected him to have a wobble at some point,
0:23:48 > 0:23:51and we still would be completely understanding
0:23:51 > 0:23:53if he, all of a sudden, did.
0:23:55 > 0:23:57As the year progresses,
0:23:57 > 0:24:00teachers are pushing the kids to think more seriously
0:24:00 > 0:24:02about where their aspirations lie.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06It's such a transitional year, they've really got to start
0:24:06 > 0:24:08thinking about what the future is going to be, even though
0:24:08 > 0:24:11that seems incredibly far away when you're that age.
0:24:11 > 0:24:13It's a bit limbo, kind of thing.
0:24:13 > 0:24:15It's odd, though, I mean,
0:24:15 > 0:24:18they're 13 and you expect them to think about what they want to do
0:24:18 > 0:24:20for the rest of their lives.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26There's a higher water concentration
0:24:26 > 0:24:29outside the carrot than what there is inside.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32So it travels by osmosis
0:24:32 > 0:24:35from outside the carrot into the carrot.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38Spot on. Spot on.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41Mr Boyce is organising a university visit to inspire
0:24:41 > 0:24:43his brightest science students.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46There's a thing at the university that's giving a taster
0:24:46 > 0:24:50of the possibility of going to Newcastle University
0:24:50 > 0:24:52and studying medicine or dentistry.
0:24:52 > 0:24:54Is it something you might have thought of?
0:24:56 > 0:24:59- Mmm...- Or would you like to go just to see what it's about?
0:24:59 > 0:25:02- Because I think you're capable. - Possibly.
0:25:02 > 0:25:04It has to be... You need to be capable of doing medicine...
0:25:04 > 0:25:07- Yeah.- ..and you need to actually want to do it.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10- Or at least consider it. - It is a possibility.
0:25:10 > 0:25:15Cos I, like... I don't really want to become a doctor or anything.
0:25:15 > 0:25:17Right. Enjoy the rest of your day.
0:25:17 > 0:25:19- Yep.- Bye.- Bye.
0:25:19 > 0:25:24I keep thinking of him working in a kitchen in a Wetherspoon's.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27It's not that I want to belittle his dream of cooking,
0:25:27 > 0:25:29I just think he is not even open
0:25:29 > 0:25:31to the opportunity of what he could be doing.
0:25:31 > 0:25:32Do you have any homework?
0:25:32 > 0:25:34Ehhh!
0:25:34 > 0:25:36Good idea, homework!
0:25:37 > 0:25:39- Is that it?- Yeah.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41You are certain you haven't got any science?
0:25:41 > 0:25:43No.
0:25:43 > 0:25:47Good, because we wouldn't want you to get a C3 for lying, would we?
0:25:59 > 0:26:03So, our teacher thinks that we have a lack of ambition.
0:26:04 > 0:26:07Yeah, but you know what you want to do when you're older?
0:26:07 > 0:26:11- I've known since I was ten.- I wanted to be a doctor when I was your age.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13Because I remember when we were in high school,
0:26:13 > 0:26:16we saw the careers person,
0:26:16 > 0:26:21and I think I was just a bit too ambitious in wanting to be a doctor!
0:26:21 > 0:26:23The highest grade I got was a D, so...
0:26:23 > 0:26:27Yeah, but could you have not just went to college?
0:26:27 > 0:26:30And re-done them? And got higher grades?
0:26:30 > 0:26:35Possibly, but it would have taken a lot longer and a lot of hard work.
0:26:35 > 0:26:38It takes four years' training to be a doctor.
0:26:38 > 0:26:40- And the rest.- And the rest.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43It's a lot of hard work to become a doctor.
0:26:43 > 0:26:48I didn't think I would get there, so I knocked that one on the head.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53If you have got the ambition to be something and you are willing
0:26:53 > 0:26:56to put in all the hard work, then I don't think there is
0:26:56 > 0:26:58such a thing as too ambitious.
0:27:05 > 0:27:07Liam is determined to do well,
0:27:07 > 0:27:10but it's getting harder to focus at home.
0:27:11 > 0:27:13Obviously, I am getting older
0:27:13 > 0:27:15and I kind of want my own privacy
0:27:15 > 0:27:19and I want my own room where I can study
0:27:19 > 0:27:22and where I don't have to share my things
0:27:22 > 0:27:26with my brother and where I can actually just
0:27:26 > 0:27:29have some space without worrying Ryan is going to come in
0:27:29 > 0:27:33and start an argument with us or something like that.
0:27:34 > 0:27:36No, no, no.
0:27:36 > 0:27:38That went across there. No, Ryan.
0:27:39 > 0:27:41It doesn't have to go past halfway,
0:27:41 > 0:27:43it just has to come back when you're halfway.
0:27:43 > 0:27:457-4.
0:27:45 > 0:27:47- VOICEOVER:- My brother angers us,
0:27:47 > 0:27:49because he always gets away with anything
0:27:49 > 0:27:54and I'm always the one who gets the immediate blame, like.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57..to get that last ball, so actually, I do get a point...
0:27:57 > 0:28:03'I just don't like it when I get angry and frustrated.'
0:28:03 > 0:28:07I don't really feel like I'm a role model to Ryan.
0:28:07 > 0:28:10I kind of feel like I'm letting him down,
0:28:10 > 0:28:16because I'm arguing with him and showing him what not to do.
0:28:29 > 0:28:31You are out of more than 400 students
0:28:31 > 0:28:33and 12 of you have been chosen,
0:28:33 > 0:28:36so I need you to understand the importance of that.
0:28:36 > 0:28:39Kian has been selected for Brilliant Club,
0:28:39 > 0:28:42A national scheme to encourage bright state school pupils
0:28:42 > 0:28:45to aim for top universities.
0:28:45 > 0:28:48You are going to have a series of meetings which we call tutorials,
0:28:48 > 0:28:51you will meet your PhD tutor
0:28:51 > 0:28:53and you are going to look at, basically,
0:28:53 > 0:28:55can you bring back dinosaurs?
0:28:55 > 0:28:57So it's going to be quite interesting for you.
0:28:57 > 0:29:02You will be graded at the end of the course, exactly like
0:29:02 > 0:29:04university students do on a degree,
0:29:04 > 0:29:08so you'll get a first, or a 2:1 or a 2:2 and so on,
0:29:08 > 0:29:10so I want to see everyone doing really well on this.
0:29:10 > 0:29:13Miss pulled me over in the middle of class.
0:29:13 > 0:29:18I believe it was because she thinks I have a chance to succeed.
0:29:18 > 0:29:22There are certain people who are wanting to do Brilliant Club,
0:29:22 > 0:29:24but there are certain people who aren't.
0:29:24 > 0:29:25I am one of the latter.
0:29:25 > 0:29:29I am not wanting to go into science, I'm awful at science.
0:29:29 > 0:29:33It is that fear factor still and his confidence and self-esteem
0:29:33 > 0:29:35which is going to hold him back, if anything.
0:29:35 > 0:29:39That fear that if I put myself out there and fail, what do I do then?
0:29:39 > 0:29:43Because I think it's natural to be scared as a student,
0:29:43 > 0:29:46but when you don't know anyone who has been to university
0:29:46 > 0:29:49and haven't been yourself and don't have any links or network
0:29:49 > 0:29:51and all the things you fall back on,
0:29:51 > 0:29:54that fear can be a little bit more amplified.
0:29:57 > 0:30:01The first Brilliant Club tutorial takes place at Durham University.
0:30:04 > 0:30:06So, Kian, if you want to go first. Choose any one.
0:30:06 > 0:30:08There are some over here as well.
0:30:08 > 0:30:11All right, awesome, you've gone for that one.
0:30:11 > 0:30:14Is this from the cave bear?
0:30:14 > 0:30:17Yeah, spot on. Do you know what part of the cave bear it is?
0:30:17 > 0:30:19- The mouth. - Absolutely, that's the mandible.
0:30:19 > 0:30:20So, they're a different species
0:30:20 > 0:30:23from the bears you get in Europe today...
0:30:23 > 0:30:27Kian has to compile research then work independently
0:30:27 > 0:30:30to produce a mini thesis on bringing back the dinosaurs.
0:30:30 > 0:30:34This is Smilodon. Probably the most famous sabre-tooth.
0:30:34 > 0:30:37This cast is from a famous site called La Brea.
0:30:37 > 0:30:39Anyone heard of that?
0:30:39 > 0:30:41Do you feel more inspired?
0:30:41 > 0:30:43- Not really.- Do you feel like you're clearer
0:30:43 > 0:30:46- on what you'll have to do as you get towards the end?- Yes.
0:30:46 > 0:30:482,000 words.
0:30:48 > 0:30:50OK, and your assignment.
0:30:50 > 0:30:52Got your title?
0:30:52 > 0:30:54- No.- OK.
0:30:54 > 0:30:57But what did we say about sometimes you have to learn about things
0:30:57 > 0:31:01that isn't your natural flair, to see if it's for you or not?
0:31:01 > 0:31:04Because otherwise what you'll end up doing is selecting something
0:31:04 > 0:31:08and not really knowing what else is out there that you can explore.
0:31:09 > 0:31:12You have to live up to your potential, otherwise
0:31:12 > 0:31:15- you will always sit there and go, what if?- I have none.
0:31:15 > 0:31:16Of course you have potential.
0:31:16 > 0:31:19Teachers tell you that. We tell you that.
0:31:19 > 0:31:23If they didn't think you had potential, they wouldn't say it.
0:31:23 > 0:31:26- Do you feel badgered?- Yes.
0:31:27 > 0:31:32When I left school, I used to think, "I don't need GCSEs."
0:31:32 > 0:31:34I was expecting to go on the docks with the old fella.
0:31:36 > 0:31:38And then Maggie Thatcher came in power and that knackered that up,
0:31:38 > 0:31:41because she killed the docks and the mines.
0:31:41 > 0:31:45She killed pretty much every industry in the North.
0:31:45 > 0:31:47And then it was just a case of,
0:31:47 > 0:31:50get out of school as quick as you can and try and get a job.
0:31:50 > 0:31:53And I don't want that for him. Not at all.
0:31:53 > 0:31:57I want him to have the pick of the job he wants,
0:31:57 > 0:31:59whether that's here, abroad,
0:31:59 > 0:32:05don't care, as long as it's what he wants to do and he's not struggling.
0:32:06 > 0:32:09And then if he comes back and gets his old dad a pint now and again,
0:32:09 > 0:32:10that's not too bad either.
0:32:17 > 0:32:18Come on, son.
0:32:20 > 0:32:22I've been told a lot I have potential,
0:32:22 > 0:32:26and, well, OK, I've heard this multiple times.
0:32:26 > 0:32:30What have I got potential for, what can I use it for?
0:32:30 > 0:32:33What is my potential?
0:32:33 > 0:32:36And they're just like, "Well, that's for you to figure out."
0:32:39 > 0:32:42I may like figuring out things, but I don't like figuring out that sort of thing.
0:32:42 > 0:32:44It's too big a scale for me.
0:32:45 > 0:32:47I know I have potential to do this,
0:32:47 > 0:32:49I am just trying to figure out how I do this.
0:32:49 > 0:32:51Can you please help me with that,
0:32:51 > 0:32:56instead of telling me I have potential to do it,
0:32:56 > 0:32:58and letting me get on with it?
0:32:59 > 0:33:02And now I'm sick of hearing that very word.
0:33:02 > 0:33:05It's gone on and on and I've heard it so many times, I want to erase it
0:33:05 > 0:33:09from the dictionary and make a different one.
0:33:09 > 0:33:11Well, not really make a different one, but just erase it.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18I know what I'm going to do. You feel this wind?
0:33:18 > 0:33:21You know how it's going in that direction?
0:33:21 > 0:33:23I'm going to go wherever it takes me.
0:33:23 > 0:33:27In London, Jamarley and his fellow GCSE music students should be
0:33:27 > 0:33:30well advanced with their composition pieces.
0:33:30 > 0:33:34The music department are just always constantly playing music,
0:33:34 > 0:33:37every single break, just music, music, music.
0:33:37 > 0:33:39That's just us, to be honest.
0:33:39 > 0:33:42# You waited for him on the strip
0:33:42 > 0:33:44# Oh, but no arrival
0:33:44 > 0:33:47# Gave it up for him But only just to let you down... #
0:33:47 > 0:33:50I go into school and I play music during break,
0:33:50 > 0:33:53after school, but if it's something to do with my composition,
0:33:53 > 0:33:56I will be honest, sorry, Miss Ryan, I haven't touched it.
0:33:58 > 0:33:59Miss Ryan's going to be mad,
0:33:59 > 0:34:02but then, that's going to be your next story now.
0:34:03 > 0:34:05With the deadline approaching,
0:34:05 > 0:34:08Jamarley's music teacher has arranged to meet him before school
0:34:08 > 0:34:10to check on his progress.
0:34:10 > 0:34:12JAZZY MUSIC PLAYING
0:34:14 > 0:34:17This is no good, Jamarley. This is no good.
0:34:17 > 0:34:19Good afternoon, miss.
0:34:19 > 0:34:22Good afternoon. Good morning, Jamarley.
0:34:22 > 0:34:24I'm sorry I'm late.
0:34:24 > 0:34:26I left early, but you know,
0:34:26 > 0:34:30on the Brent Cross bridge, there was an accident.
0:34:30 > 0:34:33Right, let's not waste any more time.
0:34:33 > 0:34:35MUSIC PLAYS
0:34:41 > 0:34:44So, maybe when you've got that little pre-section
0:34:44 > 0:34:47before we're going to do some kind of sick drop or something,
0:34:47 > 0:34:51that's when we could do something different, I reckon.
0:34:51 > 0:34:53What do you think about that?
0:34:53 > 0:34:55- I also reckon that as well, miss. - Cool.
0:34:55 > 0:34:59- While you're writing this down, I'm going to have to give you a bit of a lecture.- Yes, miss.
0:34:59 > 0:35:03Because you are in this department all the time, OK,
0:35:03 > 0:35:06so if you're going to be in here,
0:35:06 > 0:35:08I'm going to have to start saying...
0:35:08 > 0:35:12- Only for your composition. - Only for your composition.
0:35:12 > 0:35:15If you don't get it done because you've been working on a project with Beth,
0:35:15 > 0:35:18or you've been in here jamming or doing X, Y and Z,
0:35:18 > 0:35:20I'm going to be annoyed,
0:35:20 > 0:35:22you're definitely going to be annoyed.
0:35:22 > 0:35:25- So, twice a week jamming...- OK.
0:35:25 > 0:35:29..the rest of the time, focused.
0:35:29 > 0:35:31- Pinky promise?- I can promise that.
0:35:31 > 0:35:34Pinky promise? All right, cool.
0:35:34 > 0:35:36I guess I have a lot of work to do,
0:35:36 > 0:35:40so I need to cut down on the jamming and more on the composition.
0:35:40 > 0:35:42It's not a stress.
0:35:42 > 0:35:44I'm all relaxed.
0:35:44 > 0:35:47Always show grace under pressure.
0:35:47 > 0:35:49But, yeah, I have kind of got a lot to do.
0:35:53 > 0:35:55My focus is a bit everywhere.
0:35:55 > 0:35:59This is why I get told to focus on everything.
0:35:59 > 0:36:01That's a bit harder,
0:36:01 > 0:36:05but I still need to figure out how to do it as well.
0:36:08 > 0:36:11Normally, Jamarley would turn to his dad for advice.
0:36:14 > 0:36:15Hello?
0:36:17 > 0:36:19- Hello?- Hello?
0:36:20 > 0:36:22My dad does care about my education.
0:36:22 > 0:36:24He always wants the best for me.
0:36:26 > 0:36:30Unfortunately, the Wi-Fi is so bad, I don't call him as much any more.
0:36:30 > 0:36:32PHONE CRACKLES
0:36:35 > 0:36:37The stuff that's going on in Jamaica now,
0:36:37 > 0:36:41yeah, it is quite crazy out there, so I'm scared for his wellbeing.
0:36:58 > 0:37:03I punched me brother in the face,
0:37:03 > 0:37:08and he went down, crying to me mam,
0:37:08 > 0:37:10and then I got told off
0:37:10 > 0:37:11and told to stay in my room.
0:37:14 > 0:37:16And I just felt so angry
0:37:16 > 0:37:20that I started throwing things around the room.
0:37:20 > 0:37:23And sometimes I can control me anger,
0:37:23 > 0:37:27but sometimes it's just so overwhelming that it just comes out.
0:37:29 > 0:37:32Me anger does scare us...
0:37:37 > 0:37:40..cos I just don't know how to control it.
0:37:54 > 0:37:57Morning! How are you doing?
0:37:57 > 0:37:59Liam's pastoral support, Miss Lee,
0:37:59 > 0:38:02wants to ensure that upsets at home are not
0:38:02 > 0:38:04affecting his progress at school.
0:38:04 > 0:38:07She's called Nicola in for a meeting.
0:38:07 > 0:38:10Mam, what do you think's maybe causing these kick-offs and things?
0:38:10 > 0:38:12Do you see any trigger points,
0:38:12 > 0:38:15can you see it in Liam kind of bubbling up?
0:38:15 > 0:38:20Um, well, there's one subject that definitely touches on his anger,
0:38:20 > 0:38:22and that's his dad.
0:38:23 > 0:38:27That's the main trigger of his anger.
0:38:27 > 0:38:29You've discussed that maybe you try
0:38:29 > 0:38:31to take on the man role in the house and things,
0:38:31 > 0:38:34which is really good of you, darling, OK,
0:38:34 > 0:38:38but as a young lad yourself, that's a lot to take on.
0:38:38 > 0:38:42And the fact that you're sat here and you've asked for help,
0:38:42 > 0:38:45and I know it's difficult for you to talk about,
0:38:45 > 0:38:48but actually, as I say, it's a massive positive
0:38:48 > 0:38:51that you're willing and wanting to change
0:38:51 > 0:38:54and get the support that's needed.
0:38:55 > 0:38:58Things that have happened, darling, isn't your fault.
0:38:59 > 0:39:02- None of it's your fault. - None of it is your fault.
0:39:02 > 0:39:03None of it at all.
0:39:03 > 0:39:07Unfortunately, even though we're supposed to be the adults,
0:39:07 > 0:39:09adults make mistakes as well.
0:39:11 > 0:39:13He's got a lot on his plate, yeah,
0:39:13 > 0:39:16he's trying to do his best and make his mam and family proud,
0:39:16 > 0:39:19but ultimately, he's got a lot of things on his shoulders
0:39:19 > 0:39:22and whizzing round in that young head of his.
0:39:22 > 0:39:25He's trying to make something of his life
0:39:25 > 0:39:28and not have the anger and things coming out at school,
0:39:28 > 0:39:31so hopefully we can help him also at home
0:39:31 > 0:39:34so that it doesn't eventually come into school
0:39:34 > 0:39:36and affect his schooling as well.
0:39:39 > 0:39:40Tyler!
0:39:45 > 0:39:47Dammit!
0:39:49 > 0:39:53As summer approaches, year nine exams are looming.
0:39:56 > 0:39:58I've been told to do well,
0:39:58 > 0:40:01so I'm wanting to do well because I've been told to do well.
0:40:01 > 0:40:05If I do a test and get one mark off full marks,
0:40:05 > 0:40:07I will still...murder!
0:40:07 > 0:40:11I will still be angry at myself for not doing it.
0:40:11 > 0:40:14Being a teenager, like, growing up in this generation,
0:40:14 > 0:40:17I feel like it is a lot more stressful.
0:40:17 > 0:40:20The, like, the pressure that is put on teenagers nowadays is
0:40:20 > 0:40:22quite overwhelming at times.
0:40:22 > 0:40:25If you know what I mean, there is a lot of stuff put on the shoulders.
0:40:25 > 0:40:29Sure, there is that because you are coming up with GCSEs so you are
0:40:29 > 0:40:32going to be pressured to get those sort of things done.
0:40:35 > 0:40:36For all the boys,
0:40:36 > 0:40:41these exams will be important in determining sets for the year ahead.
0:40:44 > 0:40:48It will also be a first stab at answering GCSE-level questions.
0:40:54 > 0:40:57HE MUTTERS
0:40:59 > 0:41:01I need to go into this group seven.
0:41:05 > 0:41:08Everybody expects, even my science teachers,
0:41:08 > 0:41:12they expect me to get the top, top, top grades and like,
0:41:12 > 0:41:15I want the top grades,
0:41:15 > 0:41:21but when it comes to tests on the whole, I absolutely lose it.
0:41:26 > 0:41:29You know I always expect so much. You know that.
0:41:29 > 0:41:33When you go into an interview and they look at your CV and your grade
0:41:33 > 0:41:38alone, they are looking at it and going we need this guy because he's
0:41:38 > 0:41:40too good, look at his grades.
0:41:40 > 0:41:42They are above average.
0:41:42 > 0:41:43So, that is why I expect a lot.
0:41:43 > 0:41:47It is not because I want to put any form of peer pressure on you to make
0:41:47 > 0:41:50you go crazy, it is because I know it will make you...
0:41:52 > 0:41:56..one step easier through any door you want to go through.
0:41:56 > 0:41:58Do you understand?
0:41:58 > 0:41:59- Mm.- Yeah.
0:41:59 > 0:42:03So this is the last chance we've got to practise so I thought the
0:42:03 > 0:42:08best thing to do would be to practise the most difficult question.
0:42:08 > 0:42:12In the exams, I'm confident in them all apart from English.
0:42:12 > 0:42:15I read two or three books a week.
0:42:15 > 0:42:19I don't mind books but plays and that, please go away.
0:42:19 > 0:42:21You are unimportant.
0:42:21 > 0:42:23Shakespeare is a waste of time.
0:42:23 > 0:42:25It is literally, "Oh, no, I love you."
0:42:25 > 0:42:28"Oh, no. You're dead. I'm going to just die as well."
0:42:44 > 0:42:46Best of luck today.
0:42:46 > 0:42:47You may begin.
0:43:03 > 0:43:07I thought it was fine. It was good. I felt all right about it.
0:43:08 > 0:43:11Hopefully, I get triple science.
0:43:11 > 0:43:13How did you think you got on?
0:43:16 > 0:43:18I think I got on fine.
0:43:20 > 0:43:24Yep, I did crap. The maximum mark is 80.
0:43:27 > 0:43:29And I got 28.
0:43:31 > 0:43:35That is just over a quarter of a mark.
0:43:35 > 0:43:38Right, so, in the class, our highest mark was in the 30s,
0:43:38 > 0:43:43but actually you have still got two more years to try and get you
0:43:43 > 0:43:44much higher than that.
0:43:44 > 0:43:47So think about it, you've been doing it for six weeks,
0:43:47 > 0:43:49how good will you be at the end of Year 11?
0:43:49 > 0:43:52You've got to think about that, yeah? You've done really well.
0:43:52 > 0:43:54When you look at numbers and
0:43:54 > 0:43:56the actual level the number translates to,
0:43:56 > 0:44:00you're just like, "Well, is this good enough for what I should be doing?"
0:44:00 > 0:44:02And the automatic response is no.
0:44:04 > 0:44:06- Now then.- What?
0:44:06 > 0:44:08What results you got.
0:44:11 > 0:44:14- Eh?- Eh?- What results?
0:44:15 > 0:44:17What results?
0:44:17 > 0:44:19Well, what results did you get today?
0:44:19 > 0:44:21Today?
0:44:21 > 0:44:25Today I got my English, computer science, maths...
0:44:26 > 0:44:28..and French results.
0:44:30 > 0:44:34- And?- In maths I got 19 out of 30.
0:44:34 > 0:44:36Which is rubbish for you.
0:44:38 > 0:44:40It is only about 60%, that.
0:44:40 > 0:44:42You should be looking at about 80.
0:44:42 > 0:44:46In English I got 28 out of 80.
0:44:46 > 0:44:48Which is diabolical.
0:44:48 > 0:44:50Why do you think you done bad this time?
0:44:50 > 0:44:52Because they are not your normal results.
0:44:52 > 0:44:54Nowhere near your normal results.
0:44:54 > 0:44:55They are not my normal level.
0:44:55 > 0:44:57Those are GCSE papers.
0:44:57 > 0:44:59Yes, they might be GCSE papers.
0:44:59 > 0:45:04But you just had a go at me for getting mid-60s, 70s.
0:45:04 > 0:45:07Yes, because we know you are capable of better.
0:45:07 > 0:45:10I'm not going to say well done for underachieving.
0:45:10 > 0:45:12I'm not underachieving.
0:45:12 > 0:45:14What you getting upset for?
0:45:14 > 0:45:16Huh?
0:45:17 > 0:45:21It's not your main exams. It's just to see how you're doing.
0:45:21 > 0:45:22You hear what I'm saying?
0:45:22 > 0:45:25Yeah, but you weren't saying that five minutes ago, were you?
0:45:25 > 0:45:27- I was saying it.- Really?
0:45:27 > 0:45:29Oh, yeah, that's crap, isn't it?
0:45:29 > 0:45:32Kian, I said you done rubbish compared to what you can do
0:45:32 > 0:45:35- and you know it.- Yeah, but you're the one taking it seriously now,
0:45:35 > 0:45:37- aren't you?- Of course I'm taking it seriously.
0:45:37 > 0:45:40I'm taking it seriously but you're the one saying it's massive.
0:45:40 > 0:45:43You're the one going, "Oh, that's crap. If that was GCSE..."
0:45:43 > 0:45:46- It's still an exam.- You went, "If that was GCSE..."
0:45:46 > 0:45:48If that was GCSE, you would've just scraped a pass.
0:45:48 > 0:45:50Yes, and I know that.
0:45:50 > 0:45:54- Right.- But we're not GCSE, are we? And you didn't say that until now.
0:45:54 > 0:45:57Did you honestly think, when you got them scores,
0:45:57 > 0:45:59I was going to sit there and go, "Ah, well"?
0:45:59 > 0:46:02No, I did not, that's why I don't tell you these things.
0:46:02 > 0:46:05- Why?- Because I know you're going to have a go at me for them.
0:46:06 > 0:46:10So you'd rather I just didn't say nowt?
0:46:10 > 0:46:12- Huh?- Three quarters of the time, probably.
0:46:12 > 0:46:15So I'll just let you get on with it and do what you want?
0:46:17 > 0:46:19Huh? Is that what you want?
0:46:21 > 0:46:24Because that's not being a parent, son. That's not being a dad.
0:46:27 > 0:46:30I have to tell you the shit gear as well as the good gear.
0:46:30 > 0:46:33Well, I know the crap gear because I've been down on myself about it
0:46:33 > 0:46:34- all day, haven't I?- Good.
0:46:34 > 0:46:37- Good?- Yes, it's good because you're recognising it.
0:46:40 > 0:46:43You know me well enough that I would not want to listen
0:46:43 > 0:46:44to that bull crap.
0:46:44 > 0:46:48See, that's how you screw up an education, it's dead easy.
0:46:49 > 0:46:52All you do is anybody who tries to help you, you go like that to them.
0:46:56 > 0:46:57Tests.
0:46:58 > 0:46:59You want them?
0:46:59 > 0:47:02You told me this was really tough.
0:47:02 > 0:47:04So before I mark these,
0:47:04 > 0:47:08I must admit I was a little bit nervous because I thought, "Oh..."
0:47:08 > 0:47:10How everybody seemed to say it was rock hard,
0:47:10 > 0:47:12apparently set two are saying it's a killer test.
0:47:12 > 0:47:15Everyone in set one said it's really hard.
0:47:15 > 0:47:19So the scores ranged from GCSE grade four
0:47:19 > 0:47:22up to GCSE grade seven.
0:47:22 > 0:47:24Nobody in this room's had a seven before
0:47:24 > 0:47:27cos you've not had a test that high, right?
0:47:27 > 0:47:30So this time I am going to be handing some back.
0:47:30 > 0:47:32Liam, 35 out of 40.
0:47:32 > 0:47:34Really solid. Grade seven.
0:47:34 > 0:47:36You nipped in by one mark.
0:47:36 > 0:47:39Year nine, fabulous.
0:47:39 > 0:47:42Fabulous. Every mark was hard-earned.
0:47:49 > 0:47:51When I'm doing well in school,
0:47:51 > 0:47:55I feel quite happy obviously and I'm kind of like,
0:47:55 > 0:47:56I'm pleased with myself.
0:47:59 > 0:48:02I got eight in biology
0:48:02 > 0:48:04and seven in everything else.
0:48:05 > 0:48:09So in food I'm predicted a distinction.
0:48:11 > 0:48:13Come on.
0:48:13 > 0:48:17Although Liam still has his heart set on becoming a chef,
0:48:17 > 0:48:20biology teacher Mr Boyce has persuaded him
0:48:20 > 0:48:24to give the university medical day a go.
0:48:24 > 0:48:28I'm wanting them to get a taste for it and get a flavour of what
0:48:28 > 0:48:30going to a university was like
0:48:30 > 0:48:33because a lot of these kids, they'll be the first one of their family
0:48:33 > 0:48:36that's ever set foot into a university.
0:48:36 > 0:48:39Liam, I think he underestimates how good he is at science
0:48:39 > 0:48:43and how he could really have a very successful career in science,
0:48:43 > 0:48:47so I'm really glad that he's joined up to this scheme.
0:48:49 > 0:48:50Are you trying to hear your heart?
0:48:50 > 0:48:53You're best off going a bit lower cos your heart,
0:48:53 > 0:48:54it kind of sits in your chest there
0:48:54 > 0:48:57and the base of your ribcage is around there.
0:48:58 > 0:49:02- Wow.- Can you hear that now? Yeah?
0:49:02 > 0:49:05- That's cool.- Hold it there. - You want a go?
0:49:05 > 0:49:07Other way, other way. There you go.
0:49:07 > 0:49:10You're in hospital at the moment, you've come off your motorbike.
0:49:10 > 0:49:13The overwhelming majority of medical students
0:49:13 > 0:49:15are from more affluent backgrounds.
0:49:16 > 0:49:19There's no difference between those kids and our kids.
0:49:19 > 0:49:21They just, they need that little bit extra support
0:49:21 > 0:49:23and that's what we need to give them,
0:49:23 > 0:49:25so that they can compete.
0:49:25 > 0:49:27John, we're going to give you a neck collar...
0:49:27 > 0:49:30- But you're going to be just fine, OK?- OK.
0:49:30 > 0:49:33I came from an area similar to Walker
0:49:33 > 0:49:35and I didn't come from any money whatsoever
0:49:35 > 0:49:39but I don't think it matters, the money,
0:49:39 > 0:49:40it's the familial support.
0:49:40 > 0:49:43That's another thing that I want to do if the parents can't give it,
0:49:43 > 0:49:44then the teachers should.
0:49:44 > 0:49:46If you can see, it's not comfortable,
0:49:46 > 0:49:48the patients tend to want to take it off.
0:49:48 > 0:49:50They think, "Oh, there's nothing wrong with me,"
0:49:50 > 0:49:52but actually you don't know whether there's anything wrong
0:49:52 > 0:49:55with them until they've had an X-ray or a CT scan, OK?
0:49:55 > 0:49:57Mr Boyce really wanted me to do it
0:49:57 > 0:50:00cos he thought I'd be interested by it,
0:50:00 > 0:50:03so if he didn't like push us into it,
0:50:03 > 0:50:06I don't think I would realise how fun it was.
0:50:08 > 0:50:11I've always wanted to go to university
0:50:11 > 0:50:15and Mam actually told us I'd be the first in my family,
0:50:15 > 0:50:19but this trip, I think it just made us want to go to university more.
0:50:20 > 0:50:24You are completely capable of being a doctor if you set your mind to it,
0:50:24 > 0:50:27all right? You get great grades, you've got great enthusiasm,
0:50:27 > 0:50:29you're committed, you're organised.
0:50:29 > 0:50:30Erm...
0:50:30 > 0:50:34And I'm not meaning to say that you'd be a waste as a chef,
0:50:34 > 0:50:36I'm sure you'll be a completely fantastic chef.
0:50:36 > 0:50:38I'm sounding really negative towards catering
0:50:38 > 0:50:40and I really don't mean to be, I really don't.
0:50:40 > 0:50:42To be fair, I do see where you're coming from.
0:50:42 > 0:50:46- I haven't, like, fully decided on what to do.- Hm.
0:50:46 > 0:50:50- Erm...- I think the best thing, if I could give you some advice,
0:50:50 > 0:50:53would be that you keep your options open
0:50:53 > 0:50:56and don't narrow yourself too quickly
0:50:56 > 0:51:01because that's what kind of intelligence gives you, you know,
0:51:01 > 0:51:05and hard work and effort, it gives you choice to do different things.
0:51:05 > 0:51:07And it's about...
0:51:07 > 0:51:10..understanding that you are in the top set for everything
0:51:10 > 0:51:13and are completely capable of getting onto a medical degree
0:51:13 > 0:51:15if that is what you want.
0:51:15 > 0:51:18But I want you to believe that that's something you can do.
0:51:18 > 0:51:21Whether you want to do it or not, but I just want you to believe
0:51:21 > 0:51:23that you can do it because you can.
0:51:23 > 0:51:25Mm-hm. I just think I haven't went for it
0:51:25 > 0:51:28- cos I didn't see myself as being able to get there.- Yeah.
0:51:28 > 0:51:31Absolutely. I see no reason why you couldn't.
0:51:33 > 0:51:34Thank God.
0:51:34 > 0:51:36Science, what do you have for science?
0:51:36 > 0:51:38- Who do you have for science? - CHATTER DROWNS SPEECH
0:51:38 > 0:51:41- Yeah, same, same.- That's top set, innit?- Yeah, it's talent group.
0:51:41 > 0:51:44Jamarley's done well in most of his exams
0:51:44 > 0:51:47but Miss Ryan is expecting a completed music composition
0:51:47 > 0:51:48from him today.
0:51:49 > 0:51:54MUSIC PLAYS FROM COMPUTER
0:52:03 > 0:52:06Since we came in early that day...
0:52:07 > 0:52:09..what have you done to it?
0:52:10 > 0:52:12What have I tried to do to it?
0:52:12 > 0:52:16- What have you done to it?- Nothing. - Nothing.- Yeah.
0:52:16 > 0:52:19- That's two weeks ago.- I know. - And deadline's...
0:52:19 > 0:52:22Cos I've come in to try and do things, Miss,
0:52:22 > 0:52:24I told you the keyboard stopped working.
0:52:25 > 0:52:28There's so much pressure on kids in school at the moment, you know...
0:52:28 > 0:52:32So, there's an awful lot at stake if he doesn't get
0:52:32 > 0:52:35where he needs to go. Erm...
0:52:35 > 0:52:39I believe that he will cos I know how hard he works.
0:52:39 > 0:52:41You know, we recognise that he's more able
0:52:41 > 0:52:44and that he's got this potential to do really, really well.
0:52:44 > 0:52:46You know, I'm going to push him,
0:52:46 > 0:52:49his mum sure as hell is going to push him, you know,
0:52:49 > 0:52:51and the school is there for him as well.
0:52:51 > 0:52:55So he will, he will be pushed and he's not going to be allowed to fall
0:52:55 > 0:52:59behind and he won't either. He wouldn't let himself fall behind,
0:52:59 > 0:53:02I don't believe. He might have a few rocky moments, he's a kid,
0:53:02 > 0:53:07he's allowed, but he's definitely, he's going to do well.
0:53:09 > 0:53:12Kian's facing another important result.
0:53:12 > 0:53:17His Brilliant Club research paper on bringing back the dinosaurs.
0:53:17 > 0:53:19If you take yours and then just sort of hand it along
0:53:19 > 0:53:22and then take five minutes to have a read through it.
0:53:22 > 0:53:24I've marked it, I've treated it the way I would treat kind of
0:53:24 > 0:53:27undergraduate essays that I mark.
0:53:27 > 0:53:29So if you guys are happy then,
0:53:29 > 0:53:31why don't you take off the masking tape
0:53:31 > 0:53:34and see what your final results are.
0:53:34 > 0:53:36And then we can talk a bit about that.
0:53:46 > 0:53:49I got a first and it's just great.
0:53:51 > 0:53:55Well, I didn't really think I was going to get that high cos...
0:53:55 > 0:53:58..even though I did put a lot of effort into it,
0:53:58 > 0:54:01I was still expecting like a second or third.
0:54:01 > 0:54:05I'm astonished that I managed to get that.
0:54:05 > 0:54:10This probably is one of the most important marks I've got,
0:54:10 > 0:54:12like, since...
0:54:13 > 0:54:15I don't know exactly.
0:54:15 > 0:54:19Like, until GCSEs this will probably be the most important mark
0:54:19 > 0:54:24but this just reinforces the idea that I could do well in GCSEs.
0:54:24 > 0:54:27So is it about bringing the dinosaurs back?
0:54:27 > 0:54:29Don't forget the sloths.
0:54:29 > 0:54:31- Giant sloths.- Yeah, giant sloths.
0:54:31 > 0:54:34So has it whetted your appetite to go to university more?
0:54:34 > 0:54:39- Mm-hm.- Yeah.- Preferably one of the higher ones.- Mm-hm?
0:54:44 > 0:54:45Jamarley, OK?
0:54:47 > 0:54:52Jamarley's mum has had an urgent early-morning call from Jamaica.
0:54:52 > 0:54:53Alicia called me today.
0:54:54 > 0:54:57- And how is she?- She's all right.
0:54:57 > 0:55:01- But your dad maybe not all right. - Why's that?
0:55:04 > 0:55:10He was standing on the road with his friend and somebody was driving past
0:55:10 > 0:55:12and they were shooting the area.
0:55:13 > 0:55:15And your dad got shot.
0:55:21 > 0:55:23What?
0:55:23 > 0:55:25Your dad is in the hospital.
0:55:28 > 0:55:31He got two shot in his feet and one in his back.
0:55:40 > 0:55:43- Shot?- Mm-hm.
0:55:46 > 0:55:48I am being serious.
0:56:02 > 0:56:06He has just locked himself in the room listening to music trying to
0:56:06 > 0:56:08get himself, you know?
0:56:08 > 0:56:11How many more stuff does this little boy have to deal with?
0:56:11 > 0:56:13I was saying that to myself today,
0:56:13 > 0:56:16"How many more stuff is he going to have to deal with?"
0:56:16 > 0:56:20I don't know how he copes with it because he didn't let it out
0:56:20 > 0:56:23half the time. He always says, "I'm fine, I'm fine."
0:56:23 > 0:56:28Today, when I told him, he says, "I'm fine. I'm only going for five minutes."
0:56:28 > 0:56:29But I knew he wasn't fine.
0:56:29 > 0:56:32MUFFLED SPEECH
0:56:34 > 0:56:36That's bad.
0:56:36 > 0:56:41Yeah. I can't even show you the other one.
0:56:41 > 0:56:44- I can't even...- Reach it.
0:56:44 > 0:56:46- You know?- Yeah.
0:56:46 > 0:56:48It is a big pain, so...
0:56:48 > 0:56:53Yeah, man. I praise, praise God for life.
0:56:53 > 0:56:55Yeah, of course.
0:56:55 > 0:56:59- OK. All right then, love you. - I love you too, Dad.
0:56:59 > 0:57:01Talk to you soon. Bye-bye.
0:57:01 > 0:57:03All right, bye-bye.
0:57:03 > 0:57:09Now I know that he is actually OK and doing good, he's not 100%,
0:57:09 > 0:57:12of course, but he is dealing with
0:57:12 > 0:57:16the fact that he has to go through so much and, you know,
0:57:16 > 0:57:20this is where everyone in the family gets their fighting spirit from
0:57:20 > 0:57:24because once one person is strong, then the whole family is strong.
0:57:24 > 0:57:26You know, united we stand, divided we fall!
0:57:26 > 0:57:27Just like that.
0:57:27 > 0:57:31Not only do they have to have outstanding academic success,
0:57:31 > 0:57:36but they also have to do lots of extra curricular activities and have
0:57:36 > 0:57:40to be incredibly helpful, so my first head teacher's award,
0:57:40 > 0:57:43he is a very kind young man and is developing his music.
0:57:43 > 0:57:46We need to watch out for this young man. He is either going to be a
0:57:46 > 0:57:49professional performer or just a really lovely young man,
0:57:49 > 0:57:52so I hope I have embarrassed him sufficiently...
0:57:53 > 0:57:55So, the head teacher's award is Jamarley.
0:57:55 > 0:57:57CHEERING
0:58:10 > 0:58:12Thank you so much, ah!
0:58:12 > 0:58:15I don't know...
0:58:15 > 0:58:17What are you doing?!
0:58:17 > 0:58:21You got it, you got it!
0:58:21 > 0:58:22Jesus Christ!
0:58:22 > 0:58:25Best thing about getting a head teacher award is just to make my mum happy.
0:58:25 > 0:58:28She always wanted me to get the head teacher award, but the fact she came
0:58:28 > 0:58:32here and she's finally seeing something worthwhile,
0:58:32 > 0:58:35especially that award. It's made her happy and made myself happy.
0:58:35 > 0:58:37BELL RINGS
0:58:39 > 0:58:41It is the end of term.
0:58:42 > 0:58:46The next time the boys step back through the school gates they will be in Year Ten.
0:58:47 > 0:58:49My dad just motivated me.
0:58:49 > 0:58:54Now it is a different feeling, it is more of a fire.
0:58:54 > 0:58:57Just told me I need to do really good,
0:58:57 > 0:59:00you know, just to make him feel happy in some way.
0:59:04 > 0:59:07I want to make my own path, I don't want people to come and be like,
0:59:07 > 0:59:09"Oh, you should do this, you should do that."
0:59:11 > 0:59:13I want my options laid out by me...
0:59:14 > 0:59:18..and I want my...life laid out by me.
0:59:20 > 0:59:23Even though I wanted to be a chef,
0:59:23 > 0:59:25I'm kind of wanting to be a doctor now.