0:00:02 > 0:00:05We're the Hairy Bikers and we're on our way back to the Oxford Academy.
0:00:05 > 0:00:06Not a posh college,
0:00:06 > 0:00:10but a struggling secondary school up by the Cowley car factory.
0:00:12 > 0:00:14We both had a tough time in school,
0:00:14 > 0:00:17and for kids today it's just as hard.
0:00:18 > 0:00:19There's disruption...
0:00:19 > 0:00:22I punch stuff, I kick stuff, I throw stuff.
0:00:22 > 0:00:25- ..bullying...- Everyone is saying how much I should kill myself,
0:00:25 > 0:00:26I should jump off a bridge.
0:00:26 > 0:00:30Before you say stuff about someone you should know more about them.
0:00:30 > 0:00:31..and failure.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36But this struggling school has embarked on an ambitious project...
0:00:38 > 0:00:41..to transform the lives of young and old alike.
0:00:42 > 0:00:44And we want to help.
0:00:44 > 0:00:48This is like Grange Hill crossed with Last Of The Summer Wine.
0:00:48 > 0:00:53Across town, there's lonely, undervalued and isolated old folk.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56I have lost the...
0:00:56 > 0:00:57knack, if you like.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00We're finding out what happens when we bring the quiet
0:01:00 > 0:01:02and the noisy together.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06Could they transform each other?
0:01:06 > 0:01:08He's a boss, he's beast.
0:01:08 > 0:01:10Do you think the project is going to work?
0:01:12 > 0:01:13I don't know.
0:01:16 > 0:01:18Old School!
0:01:27 > 0:01:31It's only a month until the end of term and the critical phase
0:01:31 > 0:01:33of our pilot experiment.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35Well, that's it. We're fighting for survival.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38The thing is, it's a precious thing that we're doing.
0:01:38 > 0:01:40We've worked hard at it and we've just got to get it.
0:01:40 > 0:01:42Yeah, it's worth it, Kingy,
0:01:42 > 0:01:45and what's worth having is worth fighting for.
0:01:47 > 0:01:51We've got exams and scientific tests coming up to show if young and old
0:01:51 > 0:01:55have not only gained confidence, but improved mentally and physically.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01But first, now our 12 pairs have the measure of each other,
0:02:01 > 0:02:02will they change?
0:02:04 > 0:02:08It's Monday morning, and 13-year-old Jacub is in trouble yet again.
0:02:11 > 0:02:12Wait.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15- Can you sort this out? - No, no, I'll do it.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18Jacub, you've got two detentions left.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21You need to make sure that your behaviour improves in lessons,
0:02:21 > 0:02:24otherwise you won't be able to leave lessons for Old School.
0:02:24 > 0:02:26- School takes priority over it. - Yeah, right.
0:02:28 > 0:02:33Could his constant detentions mean our first-ever Old School exclusion?
0:02:35 > 0:02:37Headmaster Neil is improving the school,
0:02:37 > 0:02:40but desperate for more challenging pupils like Jacub
0:02:40 > 0:02:42to knuckle down in lessons.
0:02:42 > 0:02:48In 2014, GCSE results here were less than half the national average.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51For Jacub, education, really,
0:02:51 > 0:02:54is his biggest chance of having a really successful life,
0:02:54 > 0:02:56and he's got to take it.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00Jacub's partner, retired kitchen fitter Clive,
0:03:00 > 0:03:04comes in to meet the head of year, Miss Davies.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07What does it mean, his homework and things he doesn't do?
0:03:07 > 0:03:11He's missing lesson time, but then when he's getting the C4s in lessons
0:03:11 > 0:03:15it's taking him out of lessons and he's not doing homework,
0:03:15 > 0:03:17he's falling behind in his levels.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19So I've sort of explained to Jacub that if he can't behave in school
0:03:19 > 0:03:21then he can't be taken out for the Old School.
0:03:21 > 0:03:23Yeah, I'll have a word with him.
0:03:26 > 0:03:28Nah.
0:03:28 > 0:03:30I've got to have a word with you.
0:03:30 > 0:03:34- Yeah.- Because you love playing your games all the time,
0:03:34 > 0:03:36and not doing your homework.
0:03:37 > 0:03:39And you're getting too many detentions,
0:03:39 > 0:03:43which I don't think is good for you because you're better than that,
0:03:43 > 0:03:44and I know you're better than that
0:03:44 > 0:03:46and you know you're better than that.
0:03:46 > 0:03:48- Come up this way, it's quicker. - And...
0:03:51 > 0:03:54You know, we need to schedule you a little bit better
0:03:54 > 0:03:57where you're still playing your games,
0:03:57 > 0:03:59- do a bit of homework...- Yeah.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02..for an hour and then go back onto your games.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05So you've got the bad bit in between.
0:04:05 > 0:04:09You've got the good bit, the bad bit and the good bit.
0:04:09 > 0:04:11I noticed you're confident in a lot of things,
0:04:11 > 0:04:15so I'm confident that you're going to improve on your detention.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22Five of our kids are from year 11,
0:04:22 > 0:04:25and school's gearing up for the autumn round of GCSEs,
0:04:25 > 0:04:29which will help show if our project improves academic results.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33It's life-changing, isn't it?
0:04:33 > 0:04:36If you do really well, it gives you a really big start in life.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39It seems to be more important now than when I was at school.
0:04:39 > 0:04:44Yes, it is. The GCSEs are that important to their lives.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47INDISTINCT CONVERSATION
0:04:50 > 0:04:53Right, ready? Three, two, one, go.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56LAUGHTER
0:04:56 > 0:04:5916-year-old Wes will be resitting his maths.
0:04:59 > 0:05:01But instead of much-needed revision,
0:05:01 > 0:05:06he's concentrating on how to win the sixth form chilli challenge.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16I'm going to be sick.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20Well, I ain't going boxing tonight.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28Some of our 12 kids are the most challenging in the school.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31I started boxing from the age of ten
0:05:31 > 0:05:35because I felt I needed to protect myself.
0:05:35 > 0:05:39I've always been in trouble, always been the aggressor in school.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42I was always hitting people because of a short temper.
0:05:46 > 0:05:48This is where I used to do my boxing.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50I used to come in here,
0:05:50 > 0:05:53hang my bag up there and just train for hours on end.
0:05:55 > 0:05:59From the age of seven, Wes has lived with either his grandma or his dad.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02My family are not good at showing love, some of them.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04Mainly my mum's not very good.
0:06:04 > 0:06:05Yeah.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10It would've been nice to have some sort of woman to talk to
0:06:10 > 0:06:14and sort of put me to sleep, really, tuck me in bed.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17The sort of things that all the other children had.
0:06:19 > 0:06:23Wes's partner, ex-car worker Dave, has come in for a catch-up.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28- How's the week been, mate? - Actually, not too good.
0:06:28 > 0:06:30- Not too good?- No. - Want to tell me about it?
0:06:30 > 0:06:34Well, what I was planning on doing is doing my maths,
0:06:34 > 0:06:38but because I haven't been attending lessons they didn't think
0:06:38 > 0:06:40I was capable of getting a C,
0:06:40 > 0:06:44so they pulled me out of the exam and now I have to do it next year.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47- So...- I see. Not very clever, is it? - So I have to wait a whole...
0:06:47 > 0:06:52No. I have to wait a whole year before I can do my maths again.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55Is there any way I can help you, do you think?
0:06:55 > 0:06:56I'm not too sure because...
0:06:58 > 0:07:01..I thought I was on a certain level, that I could get a C,
0:07:01 > 0:07:04but the teachers actually think I'm not capable of getting a C.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07- Because you're not putting the effort in?- Yeah.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10Do you accept that you haven't been putting the effort in?
0:07:10 > 0:07:12Yeah, I do. I haven't been putting the effort in.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15Why do you reckon that is, then?
0:07:15 > 0:07:18I haven't had the motivation to put it in.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21I've just been leaving early for school
0:07:21 > 0:07:23to try and concentrate on boxing.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26You can't blame the school when you yourself don't put the effort,
0:07:26 > 0:07:28- can you?- No.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31Well, I think you can be helped and I think you can help yourself,
0:07:31 > 0:07:33which is more important.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36There is no magic wand, is there?
0:07:36 > 0:07:37No, of course not.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46It is time for our partners to move beyond friendships and make
0:07:46 > 0:07:49positive changes in each other's lives.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55Clive have decided to visit Jacub at home.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57- There you go.- Right.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59Sit down and I'll set it up.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01Jacub's father died eight years ago
0:08:01 > 0:08:04and he spends A LOT of time in his room.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07How long do you think we ought to play, then?
0:08:07 > 0:08:09- About 45 minutes.- 45?!
0:08:09 > 0:08:10Yeah.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13Try half an hour, try 30 minutes.
0:08:13 > 0:08:17- All right.- Yeah? And then we'll have a little go on the homework.
0:08:17 > 0:08:19I'll help you, if I can.
0:08:20 > 0:08:24That's to move, that's to look around, that's to reload,
0:08:24 > 0:08:25that's to change your weapon,
0:08:25 > 0:08:28that's to throw your incendiary grenade,
0:08:28 > 0:08:30that's to throw your secondary grenade.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33Right, let's go through that slowly, then.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36So you've got to try and shoot me.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39- Which is shoot?- That's to aim
0:08:39 > 0:08:40and that's to shoot.
0:08:42 > 0:08:43Oh.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47Hold on. Which moves? That one.
0:08:47 > 0:08:48GUNFIRE
0:08:48 > 0:08:50Dead.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52- Is that me?- Deaded.
0:08:54 > 0:08:58With video games, it's like because I've got ADHD, they help me relax.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04The other day I got upset because my dad passed away,
0:09:04 > 0:09:09and me and Ashley were talking about it and I said that I missed him
0:09:09 > 0:09:11near to Christmas and my birthdays.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14- That's understandable.- And then I started crying because it's like
0:09:14 > 0:09:17when he's not here at Christmas or my birthdays.
0:09:18 > 0:09:22Clive suffered a similar loss ten years ago when his son Matthew
0:09:22 > 0:09:24died of an overdose.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26Other times it's just an ordinary day,
0:09:26 > 0:09:30but Christmases and birthdays, you know...
0:09:31 > 0:09:34..that's when you really miss loved ones that have passed on.
0:09:34 > 0:09:38- Yeah.- And me and Marina, we're terrible at Christmas.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41You know, your dad would see you grow up.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43Yeah. That's what I was angry about.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46There's my dad up here, look.
0:09:46 > 0:09:47That's him there.
0:09:47 > 0:09:49He was always into mountain bikes.
0:09:49 > 0:09:54I can remember my dad being a funny, smiley person.
0:09:56 > 0:10:01For Jacub to talk about the loss of his father was quite brave of him.
0:10:01 > 0:10:05Normally kids of that age would just keep it in...
0:10:07 > 0:10:11..so that gave us, I think, common ground.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13We're both sort of grieving, really.
0:10:15 > 0:10:19Old School, I think it's helped because when I've got you,
0:10:19 > 0:10:20you're not so much as a father figure,
0:10:20 > 0:10:22but you're like one of my closest friends.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25Well, I consider you as one of my closest friends.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27Yeah, I see you as one of my closest friends.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29What homework did you say you've got?
0:10:29 > 0:10:31- History, I think.- History.
0:10:31 > 0:10:32I'll just grab my bag.
0:10:36 > 0:10:37Let me give you a hand.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40That's what me and Jacub argue a lot about, homework.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42The thing is, he's pretty bright, Clive.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44- Academically, he does OK.- Yeah.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47He just doesn't like being told what to do.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50- Well, I think he'll to get there. - Yeah, I think he will.- Yeah.
0:10:51 > 0:10:55With me behind him and you behind him I'm sure he'll get there.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58- Bye.- Say, "Bye, Clive."
0:10:58 > 0:11:01- Bye.- Bye, Clive.- Bye.
0:11:01 > 0:11:02Bye. You're tired, aren't you?
0:11:02 > 0:11:04It's been good talking about Matthew,
0:11:04 > 0:11:09and I think I could him a bit more confidence.
0:11:09 > 0:11:13Well, not a bit more confidence, but I could help him...
0:11:13 > 0:11:15I don't know, because he seems pretty OK,
0:11:15 > 0:11:17but I feel like I could help with his confidence,
0:11:17 > 0:11:20and he can help me to choose the right path in school and not to get
0:11:20 > 0:11:24distracted outside of school and not give in to peer pressure.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30Senior partner Dave loves his garden shed.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33Now he thinks if they're going to tackle personal issues,
0:11:33 > 0:11:37Old School needs a space it can call its own.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40This is meant to be a sort of communal hub
0:11:40 > 0:11:43- for us to sort of... - That would be brilliant.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45We're going to be able to meet up and have coffee...
0:11:45 > 0:11:47Yeah, well, that's what I thought.
0:11:47 > 0:11:49I think that would be a good idea.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51- We're going to put you on painting the ceiling.- Right.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57You've got to measure that to get a fix on there.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14I think that's better...
0:12:16 > 0:12:17Today is the grand opening,
0:12:17 > 0:12:21and Dave has more to celebrate than just the shed.
0:12:23 > 0:12:24THEY CHEER
0:12:28 > 0:12:31Grab a pile of plates and I'll just make sure everybody's got one.
0:12:33 > 0:12:34- Thank you very much.- Enjoy it.
0:12:34 > 0:12:38How often would you go to school and see people in their 60s,
0:12:38 > 0:12:42their 70s and their 80s sitting having tea,
0:12:42 > 0:12:45cakes and drinks with youngsters?
0:12:45 > 0:12:47You wouldn't see it, would you?
0:12:47 > 0:12:50It's quite a warm glow, listening to the chatter in there.
0:12:50 > 0:12:52You know, it's community.
0:12:52 > 0:12:53- Yes.- It's really positive.
0:12:55 > 0:12:57There was a turning point today, really,
0:12:57 > 0:12:59because there was something there that was tangible -
0:12:59 > 0:13:01a place for people to go.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04Old School was here it was here to stay,
0:13:04 > 0:13:07and that was a lovely feeling for everybody, I think.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14How are you getting on with Wes, Dave?
0:13:14 > 0:13:16I have had the shock of my life.
0:13:16 > 0:13:22The change in the last week has been dramatic.
0:13:22 > 0:13:27It's absolutely uplifted me, in regards to the lad himself.
0:13:27 > 0:13:31- Yes.- And he thinks a lot of me. He gave me a hug, you know.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33- Oh!- Yeah, he gave me a hug and I said, "What's that for?"
0:13:33 > 0:13:35and he said, "Oh, just cos you're here."
0:13:35 > 0:13:40Oh, that's brilliant. You know, in some ways, when you hear that...
0:13:40 > 0:13:42That's worth money, that.
0:13:42 > 0:13:45It is. If you can get a hug off a young man like that,
0:13:45 > 0:13:47it's worth a lot.
0:13:47 > 0:13:48It means you're getting through.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51And I look at his eyes and...
0:13:53 > 0:13:54God, I'd like to help him.
0:13:59 > 0:14:00But with exams coming up,
0:14:00 > 0:14:04some teachers are worried Old School will hinder, not help.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07When I first heard about the Old School project
0:14:07 > 0:14:11I think I was quite cautious because it just struck me
0:14:11 > 0:14:14that it was a little bit too experimental.
0:14:14 > 0:14:19Taking on a lot in exam year could be huge struggle
0:14:19 > 0:14:20for some of the students.
0:14:20 > 0:14:24We've got some quite vulnerable students at this school,
0:14:24 > 0:14:26and they're here for a purpose.
0:14:26 > 0:14:30We're clear what that purpose is. We don't want them too distracted.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37International studies make us hopeful Old School won't just help
0:14:37 > 0:14:39self-esteem and loneliness,
0:14:39 > 0:14:42but that it will feed into academic achievement for the young
0:14:42 > 0:14:47and have deeper cognitive and even physical impacts for the old.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53Charisma's mock English GCSE is looming.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55But tonight she is helping her partner Hanif
0:14:55 > 0:14:58with his English studies.
0:14:58 > 0:15:02So you could talk about how the parents are partly responsible.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06Yes, right. I went to school.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08This is lower-case T.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12Charisma came with her family from the Philippines,
0:15:12 > 0:15:14while Hanif is from Pakistan.
0:15:15 > 0:15:17It is very frustrating,
0:15:17 > 0:15:21as well as embarrassment that I cannot communicate
0:15:21 > 0:15:24or speak English with people,
0:15:24 > 0:15:27that's why I made my mind up to go to evening classes
0:15:27 > 0:15:29and learn English.
0:15:29 > 0:15:3111 years of age.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34They were 11 years.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37They were, yes. See, that's what I need.
0:15:39 > 0:15:43Right. That was after long discussions...
0:15:43 > 0:15:46You did it. Good job.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49He struggles with English and I'm really glad I got to help him
0:15:49 > 0:15:51a bit more and correct, politely correct,
0:15:51 > 0:15:53some of his mistakes in his work.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04I'm going to give you this,
0:16:04 > 0:16:08and then we're going to do the numbers in German, OK?
0:16:10 > 0:16:14I moved to England when I was two because my mum got a job here
0:16:14 > 0:16:16as a nurse.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18My mum and dad work different shift times,
0:16:18 > 0:16:20so it's really difficult for us to see each other.
0:16:21 > 0:16:24The U has this thing on top.
0:16:24 > 0:16:28It's really important for everyone in our house
0:16:28 > 0:16:31to work as hard as they can. I'm stressed a lot.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33All the time, pretty much.
0:16:33 > 0:16:37I guess I just put everything behind school.
0:16:43 > 0:16:47If you read the question first that's all you're thinking about.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50You've got to just get a really good understanding
0:16:50 > 0:16:51of the passage first, OK?
0:16:51 > 0:16:55Charisma and fellow Old School year 11s Marlon and Chloe
0:16:55 > 0:16:58are practising for their GCSE English.
0:16:58 > 0:17:02They'll sit the real exam in under a week.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05The exam paper that you've done today, you've actually got...
0:17:06 > 0:17:10..31. You've gained 11 marks today.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14That's an enormous amount, isn't it? Yeah?
0:17:14 > 0:17:17Chloe has scraped a D but hopes to do better.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20I got 17 marks in the mock, out of 50.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23So I think I need, like, 25, maybe, to give a C.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29Charisma is pushing herself hard to get an A.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33I feel like if I stop learning as hard as I do
0:17:33 > 0:17:36I just completely forget it straight away.
0:17:36 > 0:17:38And then the exam will come and I'll be like,
0:17:38 > 0:17:41"Oh, I don't know what this means."
0:17:43 > 0:17:45Because I get really stressed over exams,
0:17:45 > 0:17:49and they're probably one of the scariest things I find in school.
0:17:54 > 0:17:56While some of our pupils are knuckling down,
0:17:56 > 0:18:00ex-nurse Judy has been losing sleep over her partner Toni.
0:18:01 > 0:18:06She's missing maybe two or three days of school a week,
0:18:06 > 0:18:08which isn't on.
0:18:10 > 0:18:11I'm getting a bit worried about her,
0:18:11 > 0:18:15so I want to go round and see her and see if I can get...
0:18:17 > 0:18:19..any answers and see if I can actually help her.
0:18:20 > 0:18:24Our best pairings all have something important in common.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27Judy, like Toni, was badly bullied at school.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31Hello, Toni, how are you, darling?
0:18:31 > 0:18:34- I'm all right, you?- Fine, thank you.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37I've just come round to see how you are.
0:18:38 > 0:18:40I'm all right, just feeling crappy.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43You're ill, you're actually ill?
0:18:43 > 0:18:44What seems to be wrong?
0:18:44 > 0:18:46- The flu.- Flu.
0:18:46 > 0:18:50- Oh, dear.- Just slightly recovering.
0:18:50 > 0:18:54I had flu and a bit of a mix between both of them, basically.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57Perhaps the bullying, though,
0:18:57 > 0:18:59you know, can cause your illnesses.
0:18:59 > 0:19:01Yeah, that's what Mum said.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03- It stresses you out.- Yeah.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06And the stress on you just stops your immune system completely,
0:19:06 > 0:19:09stuffs it all up and you get all kinds of things
0:19:09 > 0:19:11and that's what can cause it.
0:19:11 > 0:19:13What's been going on, then?
0:19:13 > 0:19:16Just as soon as I've come back to school no-one would really
0:19:16 > 0:19:18speak to me and I didn't really get why.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21I don't know whether it was something I said over text
0:19:21 > 0:19:24or something like that, but I think it was just general rumours
0:19:24 > 0:19:28- and people basically stirring. - Right.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30As from today I've got a new number.
0:19:30 > 0:19:34- Good for you.- Because, like, you'll get little silly prank calls
0:19:34 > 0:19:37and it's just, I'm fed up with it.
0:19:37 > 0:19:39Well, I'm hoping that
0:19:39 > 0:19:41- you'll soon be coming back to school.- Yeah.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44Right, Toni, I'll let you go in because it's cold.
0:19:44 > 0:19:46So I'll say goodnight to you, darling.
0:19:46 > 0:19:47I'll see you later.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50Don't forget, you're a strong and beautiful person.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53- Thank you.- OK, bye, sweetie. - See you later.
0:19:53 > 0:19:55Yes, I will, darling. Bye-bye.
0:19:55 > 0:19:56- Bye.- Bye.
0:20:05 > 0:20:09You sit on this side and I'll come on the other side.
0:20:09 > 0:20:10All right.
0:20:10 > 0:20:12Like many of our relationships,
0:20:12 > 0:20:15just as you think one of the partners is doing all the helping,
0:20:15 > 0:20:17the other takes over.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20Hanif trained as a driving instructor.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23He's arranged a special underage lesson for Charisma,
0:20:23 > 0:20:27to help her overcome her anxiety and improve her confidence.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29Then you start the car.
0:20:29 > 0:20:31OK. Oh, my God.
0:20:31 > 0:20:33That's it, that's good.
0:20:33 > 0:20:38Now just raise the clutch slowly, and it will start moving.
0:20:38 > 0:20:39- OK?- No!
0:20:41 > 0:20:43Handbrake.
0:20:43 > 0:20:44Slowly.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49Indicator, come on.
0:20:49 > 0:20:50- Down?- Yeah.
0:20:52 > 0:20:53Turn left.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56Left.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59Straight, straight. Steering straight.
0:20:59 > 0:21:00That's lovely.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02That's nice, that's very nice.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05Don't take your hand off the steering wheel.
0:21:05 > 0:21:06Sorry.
0:21:06 > 0:21:08- Whoa! - SHE CHUCKLES
0:21:08 > 0:21:10We're going so fast!
0:21:11 > 0:21:14That's good. That's very good, that's really good.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18My driving lesson was probably one of the scariest things
0:21:18 > 0:21:19I've ever done in my life,
0:21:19 > 0:21:22but Hanif really helped me through it.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25He managed to calm me down.
0:21:25 > 0:21:26'He taught me how to do it,
0:21:26 > 0:21:29'he didn't shout at me when I did something wrong
0:21:29 > 0:21:31'or I forgot something.'
0:21:31 > 0:21:34And now for the most important question of all.
0:21:34 > 0:21:39- How do I stop? - Clutch in, brake slowly.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42That's good, that's very good.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44- Handbrake on. See?- Nailed it.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46That's good, that's good, really.
0:21:57 > 0:21:59Wes has missed so many classes,
0:21:59 > 0:22:04he isn't being allowed to resit his maths GCSE this term.
0:22:04 > 0:22:05I met some of your teachers this morning -
0:22:05 > 0:22:08not the teachers, your year leader.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12You're a boxer and you've been good at boxing
0:22:12 > 0:22:15and you've improved, haven't you?
0:22:15 > 0:22:17- Yeah. - How do you reckon you improved?
0:22:17 > 0:22:20- You keep going.- By doing it. - By doing it, yeah.
0:22:20 > 0:22:25So if you use the same scenario to your boxing to your mathematics,
0:22:25 > 0:22:27there's only one way to go, isn't there?
0:22:27 > 0:22:28Yeah.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31OK, so, continuing with...
0:22:31 > 0:22:35His partner Dave is forsaking his shed with a new idea -
0:22:35 > 0:22:37to join him in a maths class.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40See, that's a straight line.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43And opposite angles are always the same.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46So this one is 30 as well.
0:22:46 > 0:22:48Right.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51See, I don't know any of that.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54'Before Dave coming to class with me,
0:22:54 > 0:22:56'I was never going to maths lessons whatsoever.
0:22:56 > 0:22:58'Out of the whole week, I had ten maths lessons,
0:22:58 > 0:23:00'I think I went to two.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03'Then after Dave came, I upped it to eight.'
0:23:03 > 0:23:04I don't know,
0:23:04 > 0:23:08he's just got this thing about him, which I felt I needed
0:23:08 > 0:23:11to prove something to him and do him proud, sort of thing.
0:23:11 > 0:23:16But Old School is not just about the old mentoring the young.
0:23:16 > 0:23:18This is all new to me.
0:23:18 > 0:23:20Did your dad ever take you to the gym or anything?
0:23:20 > 0:23:22No.
0:23:22 > 0:23:24Never. Didn't give a monkeys.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27What he wanted me to do was work.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30Didn't you have any dreams that you wanted to do anything?
0:23:30 > 0:23:32Oh, I had dreams, like everybody, yeah.
0:23:32 > 0:23:36I had the opportunity once of learning to play the piano.
0:23:36 > 0:23:38I was over the moon, I couldn't believe it.
0:23:38 > 0:23:42It was like the Wizard Of Oz had visited me.
0:23:42 > 0:23:46My father just sat there with a blank face and he said,
0:23:46 > 0:23:50"If you learn to play the piano, I'll cut your fingers off."
0:23:50 > 0:23:52'When my father said that,
0:23:52 > 0:23:56'I can't explain the feeling.'
0:23:56 > 0:23:59I knew if I challenged it, it was going to be quite a problem.
0:23:59 > 0:24:01'So I didn't challenge it,
0:24:01 > 0:24:04'and when I went back to the school I made out'
0:24:04 > 0:24:07that I didn't want to do it and that was the worst feeling.
0:24:07 > 0:24:11I remember going down a field at the back of the school...
0:24:13 > 0:24:16..and crying because I had told a pack of lies.
0:24:16 > 0:24:21And that was an attitude that went through my life, I can assure you.
0:24:23 > 0:24:24I hate him.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28Hate like that is not right, is it?
0:24:28 > 0:24:30It's not nice.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39As the Old School relationships begin to transform,
0:24:39 > 0:24:42headmaster Neil is ambitious it can grow.
0:24:45 > 0:24:50The Old School project can have a massive impact on our society
0:24:50 > 0:24:53and it must continue, it must continue.
0:24:53 > 0:24:57In reality, how do we make it continue?
0:24:57 > 0:24:59Si, the only way we can really make that happen
0:24:59 > 0:25:01is to make sure that it's funded.
0:25:03 > 0:25:05'There are huts to build,
0:25:05 > 0:25:06'partner meetings to coordinate'
0:25:06 > 0:25:09and a costly infrastructure to grow.
0:25:11 > 0:25:13Under present funding conditions,
0:25:13 > 0:25:18we will have to go out and raise the funds to make sure it's sustainable.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21What sort of money would you reckon we were talking about?
0:25:21 > 0:25:25The absolute minimum, Dave, we'd need £35,000 plus.
0:25:27 > 0:25:29Neil, what's the reality if we don't raise that £35,000?
0:25:29 > 0:25:33Basically, the reality is, Si, that the project won't exist.
0:25:33 > 0:25:34It's as simple as that.
0:25:34 > 0:25:36Wow.
0:25:36 > 0:25:38Right. Well, that's pretty final.
0:25:38 > 0:25:39It is, it is.
0:25:42 > 0:25:44If Old School is to continue,
0:25:44 > 0:25:47we'll not only need compelling evidence
0:25:47 > 0:25:48to convince other schools to follow,
0:25:48 > 0:25:50but to raise money to grow.
0:26:01 > 0:26:03But maybe there's an answer.
0:26:03 > 0:26:07Our partners' confidence is growing, but are they committed enough
0:26:07 > 0:26:08'to raise the money
0:26:08 > 0:26:12'and become the most convincing Old School ambassadors?'
0:26:12 > 0:26:13How do you think it's going?
0:26:13 > 0:26:17- I think it's going great. - It's going amazing.- Yeah?- Yeah.
0:26:17 > 0:26:18Is it?
0:26:18 > 0:26:21We feel like that. Just how would you feel if it was closed?
0:26:21 > 0:26:24Because that's the next big challenge for us all, isn't it?
0:26:24 > 0:26:27- I wouldn't like it, cos I wouldn't get to see Clive.- Yeah.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30Do you think it feels slightly different to be part of a community
0:26:30 > 0:26:31within the school?
0:26:31 > 0:26:33It's something that I think
0:26:33 > 0:26:35everybody should have the opportunity to be in,
0:26:35 > 0:26:39because it's just really benefiting for everybody who takes part in it.
0:26:39 > 0:26:41'With his confidence already improving,
0:26:41 > 0:26:46'if anyone can persuade people about the value of Old School,
0:26:46 > 0:26:48'for me, it's got to be Jacob.'
0:26:48 > 0:26:54- You know, I personally think you are flippin' marvellous...- Yeah.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57- ..because you're articulate. Do you know what I mean by that?- No.
0:26:57 > 0:26:59I've heard of the game, but that's about it.
0:26:59 > 0:27:00All right, OK.
0:27:00 > 0:27:05Articulate means that you speak really well and you are very clear.
0:27:05 > 0:27:09And we have this big important pitch with the Hamilton Trust
0:27:09 > 0:27:13with Michael O'Regan today...
0:27:13 > 0:27:16And I want you to be involved.
0:27:16 > 0:27:22- OK.- What we like about you is that you say it.
0:27:22 > 0:27:23And it's clear.
0:27:23 > 0:27:25So you should be very proud of yourself,
0:27:25 > 0:27:27because it's a big thing, this.
0:27:27 > 0:27:28- Yeah.- Go on.
0:27:28 > 0:27:30- See you later. - See you later.
0:27:30 > 0:27:32He is pitching to be chair of a charity
0:27:32 > 0:27:35more used to dealing with educational professionals
0:27:35 > 0:27:37than kids with ADHD.
0:27:39 > 0:27:42'Who'd have thought our kids could have taken on something like this
0:27:42 > 0:27:44'ten weeks ago?'
0:27:44 > 0:27:47- Where's Clive? - There.- Is that Clive?
0:27:47 > 0:27:48He's cool.
0:27:48 > 0:27:50Hey, hello!
0:27:50 > 0:27:52- Hello, everybody. - How are you diddling?
0:27:52 > 0:27:55I'm very well, thank you. How's Si?
0:27:57 > 0:27:58Let's have a look.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01Lift your chin up, man, so I can see you.
0:28:03 > 0:28:06Don't forget, from your heart, nothing more.
0:28:10 > 0:28:11Hello.
0:28:11 > 0:28:14Hi, Mr O'Regan. My name is Jacob.
0:28:14 > 0:28:15- Hello, Jacob. - Hi, Dr Rees.
0:28:15 > 0:28:17- Welcome to Old School. - Thank you.
0:28:17 > 0:28:21- Thank you very much.- Are you going to show us the way?- Yeah.
0:28:22 > 0:28:24You're the star man, I think?
0:28:24 > 0:28:26Yeah.
0:28:27 > 0:28:31Ever since I met Clive, my very first meeting,
0:28:31 > 0:28:36I think that I've started to bond with him a bit more.
0:28:36 > 0:28:39I just think of him as one of my closest mates.
0:28:40 > 0:28:43Don't say your life story, sort of thing, they just want to know...
0:28:43 > 0:28:45Say your name and your age.
0:28:45 > 0:28:49While Jacob tries to sell the idea to educational charity,
0:28:49 > 0:28:53Wes, Charisma and Kyrone are aiming bigger.
0:28:53 > 0:28:55They're off to Oxford United Football Club
0:28:55 > 0:28:59to see if they can get some money from the city bigwigs.
0:28:59 > 0:29:01Ladies first.
0:29:03 > 0:29:06Where shall I go? Thank you.
0:29:06 > 0:29:08- I said "Ladies first." - Thank you.
0:29:08 > 0:29:10LAUGHTER
0:29:10 > 0:29:12Go on, Miss.
0:29:12 > 0:29:15Can you imagine what it's going to feel like if we come out of here
0:29:15 > 0:29:17- with the money?- Yeah.
0:29:17 > 0:29:19Or even a helping hand, even.
0:29:19 > 0:29:20Do you know what I mean? Anything.
0:29:20 > 0:29:22If we come out with anything, it's a bonus.
0:29:22 > 0:29:24No, don't give them a get-out clause.
0:29:24 > 0:29:25We want the lot.
0:29:28 > 0:29:29Wait here, dudes, we're here.
0:29:33 > 0:29:36The Community Trust board meeting.
0:29:36 > 0:29:37That's it.
0:29:37 > 0:29:40'They're meeting the owner of Oxford United,
0:29:40 > 0:29:45'the chairman of Network Rail and other captains of industry.'
0:29:45 > 0:29:47- This one here? - Yeah.
0:29:51 > 0:29:54Good afternoon. Are you all right?
0:29:54 > 0:29:57How is everyone doing, then, today?
0:29:57 > 0:30:02Basically, I'm going to be talking about the benefits of the project.
0:30:02 > 0:30:04I think that I've come more to realise
0:30:04 > 0:30:06that old people aren't so grumpy.
0:30:06 > 0:30:09They're basically just like us.
0:30:09 > 0:30:11We're fun, aren't we, Jacob?
0:30:11 > 0:30:13We have our fun, yes.
0:30:13 > 0:30:16Being with Old School, it's just, like...
0:30:16 > 0:30:19I can actually finally walk up to people confidently,
0:30:19 > 0:30:21knowing they're not going to judge me by the way I look.
0:30:21 > 0:30:25We're just, like, a nice, normal kind of dysfunctional family.
0:30:30 > 0:30:34We know that old people like to go out for a little drink now and then,
0:30:34 > 0:30:38and I'm not talking about water, if you know what I mean.
0:30:38 > 0:30:40LAUGHTER
0:30:40 > 0:30:42This is me and my partner, Hanif.
0:30:42 > 0:30:46This photo it's probably one of our most memorable moments together
0:30:46 > 0:30:50because I actually taught him how to send his very first e-mail,
0:30:50 > 0:30:52all the way to his family back in Pakistan.
0:30:52 > 0:30:54Old people get scared of young people.
0:30:54 > 0:30:56They see them with a hoodie.
0:30:56 > 0:30:58If the actually partner up with a child,
0:30:58 > 0:31:01younger partners can show that they're not always
0:31:01 > 0:31:03on the street and are actually being active.
0:31:03 > 0:31:05We really want to expand this,
0:31:05 > 0:31:07and we want to also make it nationwide
0:31:07 > 0:31:09so all other schools can do it.
0:31:09 > 0:31:11Thank you so much for having us here.
0:31:11 > 0:31:13APPLAUSE
0:31:15 > 0:31:18The kids have done amazing pitches
0:31:18 > 0:31:22to very, very high-powered, high-profile individuals.
0:31:22 > 0:31:25But we have to find some funding
0:31:25 > 0:31:30and we're getting to a point where it's pretty desperate.
0:31:30 > 0:31:34We need more persuasive evidence Old School works.
0:31:34 > 0:31:36We need results.
0:31:42 > 0:31:46The dreaded day of the GCSE English exam has finally dawned.
0:31:48 > 0:31:51It'll be a test, not only for Chloe, Charisma, and Marlon,
0:31:51 > 0:31:53but also Old School.
0:31:53 > 0:31:57Will their grades improve on what was expected
0:31:57 > 0:32:00and help convince potential funders?
0:32:01 > 0:32:02How are you feeling?
0:32:02 > 0:32:04Nervous.
0:32:12 > 0:32:16The exam is two hours long.
0:32:16 > 0:32:21During that two hours, you need to be facing the front at all times.
0:32:21 > 0:32:24And you two hours starts now.
0:32:32 > 0:32:37Going into the exam, I'd be really nervous, shaking a lot,
0:32:37 > 0:32:39then when you actually have to go in and sit down,
0:32:39 > 0:32:41and the paper is in front of you...
0:32:45 > 0:32:49I look at the clock and it's, like, one hour and I think to myself,
0:32:49 > 0:32:51"That's not enough time for this."
0:33:07 > 0:33:11And how many phrases did you get for question two?
0:33:11 > 0:33:12Three on each.
0:33:12 > 0:33:13Three on each. That's fine.
0:33:13 > 0:33:15Which bullet point was hard?
0:33:15 > 0:33:16Um...three.
0:33:16 > 0:33:19OK. But did you have a go at that third one as well?
0:33:19 > 0:33:21OK, so you're nice and even.
0:33:22 > 0:33:23Hello, how was that?
0:33:27 > 0:33:28When you said you didn't finish,
0:33:28 > 0:33:30was it just a tiny bit that you didn't do?
0:33:30 > 0:33:32- Yeah. - CHARISMA PANTS
0:33:32 > 0:33:35Do you want to sit down here just for a sec first?
0:33:35 > 0:33:39Take a seat, Charisma. Do you want to sit down here just for a minute?
0:33:48 > 0:33:49Support is at hand.
0:33:49 > 0:33:53Old School partner Hanif has come to see how Charisma got on.
0:33:55 > 0:33:58Afterwards, after I finished the exam,
0:33:58 > 0:34:00I had a panic attack,
0:34:00 > 0:34:02because I didn't manage to finish it
0:34:02 > 0:34:05and I was really sad about that, so...
0:34:05 > 0:34:07I know what this feels like.
0:34:07 > 0:34:11You feel very sad, but there is no point.
0:34:11 > 0:34:14- We know that it is just done. Gone. - Yeah.
0:34:16 > 0:34:21'We have this mutual understanding when we see each other,'
0:34:21 > 0:34:24we talk each other through, you know,
0:34:24 > 0:34:26what we really feel like.
0:34:28 > 0:34:31'I have noticed he is a lot more confident when he talks,
0:34:31 > 0:34:33'with his English especially,'
0:34:33 > 0:34:35and I'm really proud of him
0:34:35 > 0:34:37and really glad that I was partnered with him.
0:34:46 > 0:34:48Thank you very much, very kind of you.
0:34:48 > 0:34:49Hello, Jacob.
0:34:49 > 0:34:51How are you? Lovely to see you.
0:34:51 > 0:34:53With no funding yet in place,
0:34:53 > 0:34:56this could be the last chance for Judy and Toni
0:34:56 > 0:34:59to help each other within Old School.
0:35:01 > 0:35:02Toni!
0:35:02 > 0:35:03You all right?
0:35:03 > 0:35:05Yes, hello, darling.
0:35:05 > 0:35:07How are you feeling today?
0:35:07 > 0:35:09Still a bit meh.
0:35:09 > 0:35:10- You all right?- Yes.
0:35:10 > 0:35:12Oh, thank God for that.
0:35:12 > 0:35:14I was worried about you.
0:35:14 > 0:35:16Ooh, I like that colour.
0:35:19 > 0:35:20Over their time together,
0:35:20 > 0:35:23she has been using their shared love of art
0:35:23 > 0:35:27to encourage Toni to open up about her experience of bullying.
0:35:28 > 0:35:31I just felt like no-one cared about me
0:35:31 > 0:35:33and I was just completely empty.
0:35:34 > 0:35:36'I was basically cutting myself
0:35:36 > 0:35:40'because I felt inside that this was something I could do with myself.
0:35:40 > 0:35:44'It made me feel better for about an hour after,
0:35:44 > 0:35:47'and then after that, it just went completely back to normal.'
0:35:47 > 0:35:52It was just like everyone hated me and I just didn't understand why.
0:35:54 > 0:35:56But for Toni, there was no escape.
0:35:56 > 0:36:01When she wasn't at school, she was being bombarded online.
0:36:01 > 0:36:05- I'd be on social media, 24/7. - Was you?
0:36:05 > 0:36:08There wouldn't be an hour where I wasn't checking all of them.
0:36:08 > 0:36:11And the more you found it's about you,
0:36:11 > 0:36:13- upset you more?- Yeah.
0:36:13 > 0:36:18'No-one knows what it's like unless you've been there,
0:36:18 > 0:36:21'and I'd been there and I know how hurtful it is
0:36:21 > 0:36:22'and how upset you can be.'
0:36:22 > 0:36:28You could be that 1% that would actually take their own life.
0:36:28 > 0:36:30When I first met you,
0:36:30 > 0:36:32you were really confident
0:36:32 > 0:36:36and it, like, just influenced me into being like that.
0:36:36 > 0:36:39- Oh.- Like, I wanted to be as confident as you were.
0:36:39 > 0:36:42Oh, that's lovely.
0:36:42 > 0:36:46'Being able to help her get over this has helped me tremendously,
0:36:46 > 0:36:49'because I have got more confidence'
0:36:49 > 0:36:53and I feel a lot better in myself than I did.
0:37:03 > 0:37:05How about red-hot, eh?
0:37:05 > 0:37:07Yeah.
0:37:09 > 0:37:11I like the artworks
0:37:11 > 0:37:14because it's just the me that was underneath
0:37:14 > 0:37:16all the, like, dark places,
0:37:16 > 0:37:20and how I really was on the inside and not what I thought I was.
0:37:21 > 0:37:24It's made me step back and look at it and think, "That is me".
0:37:24 > 0:37:28That's brought my confidence up that little bit more.
0:37:35 > 0:37:39We're nearing the end of term, and it's that time of year again.
0:37:47 > 0:37:51First thing I saw today was Jacob running towards me.
0:37:51 > 0:37:54It was nice to see that reaction.
0:37:54 > 0:37:57It's the first time he's showed emotion.
0:37:59 > 0:38:00Missed you.
0:38:03 > 0:38:05Thank you.
0:38:05 > 0:38:06I'm going to have fun with this.
0:38:06 > 0:38:11Toni...I bought you a little present.
0:38:11 > 0:38:14- Thank you.- Open it. - You're going to kill me.
0:38:14 > 0:38:17Oh. Oh, darling.
0:38:17 > 0:38:19Thank you so much. I told you not to.
0:38:19 > 0:38:21- You're welcome. - I told you not to.
0:38:21 > 0:38:23'Throughout the Old School project
0:38:23 > 0:38:27'I've had a few friends that have come and gone,
0:38:27 > 0:38:29but then Judy's always been there.
0:38:29 > 0:38:32It was like she was basically my best friend,
0:38:32 > 0:38:34the one that stuck by me.
0:38:34 > 0:38:37This has got love and you've to wear that all the time
0:38:37 > 0:38:39to show that you love yourself.
0:38:39 > 0:38:42- Will you promise me that you'll love yourself?- Yes.
0:38:44 > 0:38:47With term coming to an end,
0:38:47 > 0:38:49our scientists are back for re-tests
0:38:49 > 0:38:52to see if young and old have really changed.
0:38:52 > 0:38:55So, it's exactly the same as last time.
0:38:55 > 0:38:58As many words as you can think of beginning with the letter T.
0:38:58 > 0:38:59- Right, Tiger.- Yes.
0:38:59 > 0:39:01- Tap.- Yes.- Toe.
0:39:01 > 0:39:03Token. Tablet.
0:39:03 > 0:39:06Tomatoes. Tray.
0:39:06 > 0:39:07- Truck.- Go.
0:39:09 > 0:39:12Four, brilliant.
0:39:12 > 0:39:13Oh, faster the second time.
0:39:13 > 0:39:16Dr Carol Holland from the Centre for Healthy Ageing
0:39:16 > 0:39:19has returned to see if there is any improvement.
0:39:20 > 0:39:22- Is it still going? - When you feel ready.
0:39:26 > 0:39:28If we don't get the scientific results,
0:39:28 > 0:39:31and they're not in our favour, then Old School hasn't worked.
0:39:32 > 0:39:35First, we have the results of the mobility tests.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38It's gone down, so that means you're getting faster.
0:39:38 > 0:39:40People are getting a little bit faster.
0:39:40 > 0:39:42- Right.- So, although it's only a small group
0:39:42 > 0:39:46and there's not a lot of stats, we can do on this number of people,
0:39:46 > 0:39:48it's in the right direction.
0:39:48 > 0:39:50What about the cognitive tests that we did?
0:39:50 > 0:39:52This is the autobiographical memory test.
0:39:52 > 0:39:54This is an important measure, actually,
0:39:54 > 0:39:59because it has relationships with things like depression.
0:39:59 > 0:40:03- OK.- So, the fact that it's gone up, we're delighted.
0:40:03 > 0:40:06- I think that's really great. - It is. It's good.
0:40:06 > 0:40:08- I'm really pleased. - It's clear, isn't it?
0:40:08 > 0:40:09The older participants have benefited
0:40:09 > 0:40:11from the interaction with the younger.
0:40:11 > 0:40:14- That's what we were hoping for. - Yeah.
0:40:14 > 0:40:19So, our senior partners' organisational skills are up by 33%.
0:40:19 > 0:40:23And their ability to socialise is up by a massive 40%.
0:40:30 > 0:40:31The juniors, too,
0:40:31 > 0:40:34are re-sitting the self esteem tests they did at the beginning.
0:40:34 > 0:40:35Off you go.
0:40:36 > 0:40:39Most were originally chosen, because they struggled
0:40:39 > 0:40:42with issues like lack of confidence.
0:40:42 > 0:40:48They may seem happier, but will better confidence show in the tests?
0:40:48 > 0:40:49Before, I was really nervous,
0:40:49 > 0:40:52I wouldn't go into a crowd and I wouldn't speak to people.
0:40:52 > 0:40:54But now, I can go up to someone, I can say hello to them,
0:40:54 > 0:40:57I can have a full-on conversation in the middle of the street,
0:40:57 > 0:40:58which I'm proud about.
0:40:59 > 0:41:01My anger's calmed down and so has my ADHD,
0:41:01 > 0:41:05so I'm not as hyper as I would be, I'm not as angry as I would be.
0:41:05 > 0:41:08So, yeah, I think that ultimately has helped me with my confidence.
0:41:08 > 0:41:09Definitely.
0:41:11 > 0:41:12As well as the test scores,
0:41:12 > 0:41:16we now have the school's own records for attendance,
0:41:16 > 0:41:19academic attainment and behaviour.
0:41:19 > 0:41:22Oh, yes!
0:41:22 > 0:41:24Hello, gang. All right, teamies?
0:41:24 > 0:41:25- We've got your results.- Yeah.
0:41:25 > 0:41:27The results are really pretty stunning.
0:41:27 > 0:41:29- For example.- Go on.
0:41:29 > 0:41:31I mean, Tony.
0:41:31 > 0:41:33You know the self esteem?
0:41:33 > 0:41:36- Yes.- Right? You were -1.
0:41:36 > 0:41:40You are now 61, which is twice the average.
0:41:40 > 0:41:44So, Judy, whatever you're doing, please keep it up, darling,
0:41:44 > 0:41:46- because it's great. - It is, it's fantastic.
0:41:48 > 0:41:49Wes. Wes.
0:41:51 > 0:41:52So, attendance.
0:41:54 > 0:41:55- Up.- How much?
0:41:55 > 0:42:01From 60.3 to 88.6.
0:42:01 > 0:42:03That is excellent. APPLAUSE
0:42:03 > 0:42:06- It's working. It's working. - Keep doing it.
0:42:06 > 0:42:08- Jacob.- Yeah.
0:42:08 > 0:42:09So...
0:42:11 > 0:42:12..achievement points.
0:42:14 > 0:42:15It was seven.
0:42:17 > 0:42:19It's now 26.
0:42:19 > 0:42:22- Wow!- It's 26.
0:42:22 > 0:42:25So, Clive, great, great job.
0:42:26 > 0:42:29It's testament to you both, and these aren't made up.
0:42:29 > 0:42:33- No.- These are tangible, tangible results.
0:42:33 > 0:42:34We're even more determined now
0:42:34 > 0:42:37that we need the funding to secure Old School,
0:42:37 > 0:42:39so the relationships go on.
0:42:42 > 0:42:45Having had such great success with our first participants,
0:42:45 > 0:42:48we have to secure Old School's future,
0:42:48 > 0:42:52so more of this community can benefit, and, we hope,
0:42:52 > 0:42:54others around the country.
0:43:03 > 0:43:04As the results have shown,
0:43:04 > 0:43:07Wes' school attendance has significantly improved,
0:43:07 > 0:43:11as well as his work and confidence.
0:43:11 > 0:43:15Partner Dave has invited him round for a cuppa.
0:43:15 > 0:43:18- Hi, David.- Hello, Wes, how are you, mate?- Good, thank you.
0:43:18 > 0:43:19- Good to see you.- And you.
0:43:19 > 0:43:20Would you like a cup of tea, Wes?
0:43:20 > 0:43:22Yes, please, David, that would be nice.
0:43:22 > 0:43:26- How'd you like your tea? - Milky with two sugars, please.
0:43:26 > 0:43:27I've only had five this morning.
0:43:27 > 0:43:29WES LAUGHS
0:43:31 > 0:43:34Look, I've got a little something for you.
0:43:34 > 0:43:36I don't want you to be embarrassed.
0:43:36 > 0:43:39If it ain't right, that's not a problem, we can deal with it.
0:43:40 > 0:43:43First thing, I got this off the web.
0:43:43 > 0:43:45I suspect you've got hundreds of them.
0:43:45 > 0:43:48- How did you get that? - I didn't know that existed.
0:43:48 > 0:43:50- Didn't you?- No, I didn't.
0:43:50 > 0:43:53- There you are, I got that framed for you.- Oh, thank you, David.
0:43:53 > 0:43:56- Didn't you know it existed on the web?- No, I didn't.
0:43:56 > 0:43:57It's on your club website.
0:43:59 > 0:44:03Anyway, I thought I'd do it, so that you've got something to...
0:44:03 > 0:44:04Because we're proud of that.
0:44:04 > 0:44:07- Yeah, I'll treasure that, thanks. - Very good. Well, look.
0:44:07 > 0:44:09What I've done is...
0:44:09 > 0:44:11And don't look at the labels yet.
0:44:11 > 0:44:16Got you a sweatshirt to put on or put around your shoulders.
0:44:17 > 0:44:19Oh, you shouldn't have, mate, thank you.
0:44:19 > 0:44:21- I appreciate it. - It's just small.- Thank you.
0:44:21 > 0:44:23I'm glad you like your picture.
0:44:23 > 0:44:26- Yeah, and the jumper, thank you.- I didn't know whether to do it or not.
0:44:30 > 0:44:32But the big question is still,
0:44:32 > 0:44:36can we persuade other people to fund this, so it can grow?
0:44:37 > 0:44:40It's the end of term and, with the evidence in,
0:44:40 > 0:44:44we now want to get all our partners together for one final try.
0:44:46 > 0:44:49We've invited funders, educationalists,
0:44:49 > 0:44:52and heads from all around the country.
0:44:55 > 0:44:56Tie done, shirt done.
0:44:56 > 0:44:58Yeah, shirt done, tie on.
0:44:58 > 0:44:59We need you to look sharp, man.
0:44:59 > 0:45:02I need you to look sharp today, because I'm nervous, as well.
0:45:02 > 0:45:06All right? So, today, out of all days, got to focus,
0:45:06 > 0:45:09got to be sharp, got to concentrate.
0:45:09 > 0:45:11- All that rubbish out your pockets. - Yeah.
0:45:11 > 0:45:12Good lad.
0:45:15 > 0:45:18Buttoned or not? What do you think?
0:45:18 > 0:45:21I've gone tie-less, because I thought it's daytime.
0:45:21 > 0:45:22- Yeah.- Do you know what I mean?
0:45:22 > 0:45:26- I want to be a bit kind of, like, smart but casual.- Casual.
0:45:26 > 0:45:31- Yeah.- No, I think unbuttoned, Kingy, because if we want to go...
0:45:31 > 0:45:34And we are all equals,
0:45:34 > 0:45:36it's going to be more impressive if the jacket flares,
0:45:36 > 0:45:38rather than stays like that.
0:45:38 > 0:45:40TOILET FLUSHES
0:45:42 > 0:45:43Caught you red-handed!
0:45:43 > 0:45:47No, we're getting ourselves spruced up.
0:45:47 > 0:45:51Coming to hear them, representatives of various Government departments,
0:45:51 > 0:45:56charities, council leaders and even trust fund managers.
0:45:56 > 0:45:58- We have you on table eight. - Table eight?- Yeah.
0:46:08 > 0:46:09Phew!
0:46:10 > 0:46:11Can't be scaring me like that.
0:46:13 > 0:46:17And it's pleasing to see one or two familiar faces.
0:46:18 > 0:46:21We've never been part of anything
0:46:21 > 0:46:23that's as potentially important as this.
0:46:23 > 0:46:26And, to be honest, we're seriously bricking it.
0:46:30 > 0:46:34This school has been through some really tough times
0:46:34 > 0:46:36in the recent past.
0:46:36 > 0:46:39And so has our community.
0:46:39 > 0:46:42Unless you believe in your community,
0:46:42 > 0:46:46unless the community believes in you,
0:46:46 > 0:46:50I think it makes it really, really difficult
0:46:50 > 0:46:52to improve your school.
0:46:59 > 0:47:04Besides the results, our partners are our best advertisement.
0:47:04 > 0:47:07I really struggled with my confidence
0:47:07 > 0:47:08before Old School started.
0:47:08 > 0:47:11I suffered really bad panic attacks,
0:47:11 > 0:47:14especially when I had to talk to people.
0:47:14 > 0:47:17So to be able to be here right now and talk in front
0:47:17 > 0:47:21of all you guys, it's a really big step for me.
0:47:21 > 0:47:24I did it actually for me, initially, because
0:47:24 > 0:47:28I had a big void in my life, because my parents passed away.
0:47:28 > 0:47:30I just didn't know what to do with myself.
0:47:30 > 0:47:34- So I've adopted Chloe, because I haven't got any children of my own. - LAUGHTER
0:47:34 > 0:47:38So, her mother said I could borrow her for a few years.
0:47:38 > 0:47:42When I came here and I met my little girl, Tony,
0:47:42 > 0:47:45I think that helping her has helped me.
0:47:45 > 0:47:48We all meet all together,
0:47:48 > 0:47:52we're like a family, like a community.
0:47:52 > 0:47:53Even when we're not together,
0:47:53 > 0:47:57we're phoning each other to make sure everybody's all right.
0:47:57 > 0:48:00When I had my first partner, his name was Rick,
0:48:00 > 0:48:03we never really got to have a meeting, sadly.
0:48:03 > 0:48:07After that, I was offered by lovely Dave.
0:48:07 > 0:48:08Thank you for being my partner.
0:48:08 > 0:48:12- Thank you. - We did all this stuff together,
0:48:12 > 0:48:15and he's a top-notch lad, he is.
0:48:15 > 0:48:20That's the nicest thing anybody's ever said to me.
0:48:20 > 0:48:24The reason why they joined was to get more knowledge and experience,
0:48:24 > 0:48:28and what better knowledge and experience to get from an old man?
0:48:28 > 0:48:30- Sorry, Dave. - LAUGHTER
0:48:32 > 0:48:35I don't know whether you'd like me to say this,
0:48:35 > 0:48:37but Dave really cares about me, I think.
0:48:37 > 0:48:39And I really care about Dave.
0:48:39 > 0:48:41The experience that we've been through -
0:48:41 > 0:48:44- and sorry, Other Gramps... - LAUGHTER
0:48:44 > 0:48:47..Dave feels like a third grandpa to me.
0:48:47 > 0:48:48So, yeah, thank you.
0:48:56 > 0:48:58This has taught me a lesson.
0:48:58 > 0:49:04I found a very caring relationship with a particular person that I was
0:49:04 > 0:49:09paired with, Wes, who happens to be nearly bringing me to tears -
0:49:09 > 0:49:12I'm having difficulty talking, because of what he said.
0:49:12 > 0:49:16I didn't know the impact I'd have on his values,
0:49:16 > 0:49:18but he's certainly had an impact on mine.
0:49:18 > 0:49:21It's something that I would have never experienced.
0:49:21 > 0:49:25I would never have realised how important it was
0:49:25 > 0:49:28to actually involve ourselves with young people
0:49:28 > 0:49:31in the way that we've been able to do in this project.
0:49:31 > 0:49:34It goes back the other way. Thank you.
0:49:42 > 0:49:46It also means that you have a generation of young people who,
0:49:46 > 0:49:51- at the moment...- The thing we did about boxing, as well.
0:49:51 > 0:49:53Lovely to see you again.
0:49:53 > 0:49:57Really, really impressive and moving to sit in the audience
0:49:57 > 0:49:59and to hear your stories.
0:50:02 > 0:50:06Absolutely everybody performed at their absolute best today.
0:50:06 > 0:50:09- Yeah, they did.- And it was a pressured, pressured environment.
0:50:09 > 0:50:12I tell you what, though - if they turn round
0:50:12 > 0:50:14and don't give us the money,
0:50:14 > 0:50:16I'll be surprised and I'll be gutted.
0:50:24 > 0:50:26It's the 20th of January,
0:50:26 > 0:50:29five months since we began, and our last day here.
0:50:29 > 0:50:32For our kids, it's a very important day.
0:50:33 > 0:50:37You know what, mate? I've got a really warm, rosy, cosy glow.
0:50:37 > 0:50:39- I'm looking forward to seeing the gang.- Yeah, me, too.
0:50:39 > 0:50:41I just hope we've still got a warm,
0:50:41 > 0:50:43rosy glow when we get the exam results.
0:50:43 > 0:50:44Yeah...
0:50:46 > 0:50:50Good GCSE results might be coming too late for our big pitch,
0:50:50 > 0:50:53but they could help further underline success.
0:50:53 > 0:50:56And they're flaming important for the kids, as well.
0:50:56 > 0:50:58Good morning. How are you?
0:50:59 > 0:51:02Almost on time, that's brilliant.
0:51:02 > 0:51:05- Good morning. - Good morning. Good morning, fellas.
0:51:05 > 0:51:08- Good to see you, as always. - You too.- How are you?
0:51:08 > 0:51:11It's results day. How do you feel on results day?
0:51:12 > 0:51:15Honestly, I get unbelievably nervous before the results come.
0:51:15 > 0:51:19Genuinely, I won't sleep for about two or three days.
0:51:19 > 0:51:22Really, it's a nerve-racking day. It's a tense day all round.
0:51:22 > 0:51:25In some ways, when its GCSE results day -
0:51:25 > 0:51:29and I don't know if you feel this - you can almost feel the tension.
0:51:29 > 0:51:31- You can. - It's a different place today.
0:51:31 > 0:51:32It is a very different place.
0:51:32 > 0:51:35When Dave and I literally have walked through the door,
0:51:35 > 0:51:37you can feel it's oscillating with apprehension.
0:51:37 > 0:51:38Yes, it is.
0:51:39 > 0:51:42Obviously, we know that Charisma's involved in the project.
0:51:42 > 0:51:44The last time that we did an exam,
0:51:44 > 0:51:49it didn't quite go how Charisma expected it to.
0:51:49 > 0:51:51She has an enormously high standard.
0:51:51 > 0:51:54Enormously high standards, and she might need looking after today.
0:51:54 > 0:51:56So keep a really close eye on her, I'd really appreciate it
0:51:56 > 0:51:59- if you could do that. - No, no, thanks for the heads up.
0:52:05 > 0:52:09I'm really hoping that the results today,
0:52:09 > 0:52:12that you get what you deserve and it reflects the hard work that both you
0:52:12 > 0:52:15and the teachers have put in.
0:52:15 > 0:52:20Not only am I really nervous, I know you're really nervous,
0:52:20 > 0:52:22but I know the guys are really nervous, too,
0:52:22 > 0:52:26because they are getting the results of the Old School project.
0:52:26 > 0:52:31So, for them, it's also a really big day.
0:52:31 > 0:52:32Are we ready?
0:52:43 > 0:52:44This is killing me.
0:52:44 > 0:52:46You got to open it up.
0:52:48 > 0:52:53Five, four, three, two, one.
0:52:53 > 0:52:54Go on.
0:52:55 > 0:52:57Oh!
0:52:57 > 0:52:58What did you get?
0:52:58 > 0:52:59Yes!
0:53:02 > 0:53:05- I got the As. - What did you get, an A*?
0:53:05 > 0:53:06An A.
0:53:07 > 0:53:08Congratulations!
0:53:11 > 0:53:12What did you get?
0:53:12 > 0:53:14- I got a B.- Yes!
0:53:14 > 0:53:15That is brilliant.
0:53:17 > 0:53:19We were going to ask you how you feel,
0:53:19 > 0:53:21but I think your face says it all.
0:53:21 > 0:53:24I am over the moon.
0:53:24 > 0:53:26I was so scared, we were all so scared.
0:53:26 > 0:53:28We always are, leading up to these results.
0:53:28 > 0:53:33If it's not being too nosy, what grades were Chloe,
0:53:33 > 0:53:36Charisma and Marlon expected to get?
0:53:36 > 0:53:39All three were expected to get a C. That was their target grade.
0:53:39 > 0:53:41Do you know what's wonderful? What's wonderful,
0:53:41 > 0:53:45the sense of joy in this room is overwhelming.
0:53:45 > 0:53:48- And Marlon!- Congratu... Marlon! - Marlon's on the ceiling.
0:53:48 > 0:53:53- That reaction, that just shows how much this means to him.- Yes.
0:53:53 > 0:53:57- I've just got a big lump in me throat.- I feel quite... Yeah.
0:54:00 > 0:54:04- So, look at you. You've gone up two grades.- Mmm.
0:54:04 > 0:54:07An anticipated C, and then you get a big...
0:54:07 > 0:54:09- A.- ..fat A.
0:54:09 > 0:54:11Get in!
0:54:11 > 0:54:14- You need to tell your partner now. - Yeah, I do!- Yeah!
0:54:14 > 0:54:16I bet he's going to be so pleased.
0:54:16 > 0:54:20- Do you think it's helped, that relationship?- Yeah.
0:54:20 > 0:54:24He always tells me that I need to be more confident with myself.
0:54:24 > 0:54:26And I do really well, and I never really say that,
0:54:26 > 0:54:28but he always reminds me of it.
0:54:33 > 0:54:37Not only have we seen the partnerships grow and develop
0:54:37 > 0:54:41and the effects on them directly, but actually,
0:54:41 > 0:54:43there are huge benefits to the whole school,
0:54:43 > 0:54:47because of that ripple effect from the project.
0:54:47 > 0:54:50We just see standards going up and up and up.
0:54:52 > 0:54:55There's a surprise visitor joining the celebrations.
0:54:55 > 0:54:58Michael O'Regan from the education charity.
0:54:58 > 0:55:01- Oh! JACOB:- Hello, you horrible lot.
0:55:01 > 0:55:03- Nice to see you again. - Hello, Mr O'Regan.
0:55:03 > 0:55:07I was part of the audience at a very moving presentation
0:55:07 > 0:55:11about what Old School partnerships had brought you.
0:55:12 > 0:55:15So, I'm very pleased to say that Hamilton Trust
0:55:15 > 0:55:18- is making a donation of £15,000. - ALL: Yes!
0:55:19 > 0:55:21- Yes!- Oh, wow.
0:55:23 > 0:55:25Oh, that is amazing.
0:55:25 > 0:55:27- Jacob, you happy to look after it? - Yeah.
0:55:27 > 0:55:29Well done to all of you.
0:55:30 > 0:55:33I felt quite proud of myself, excited.
0:55:33 > 0:55:37I almost cried. I'm not a wuss, so I ALMOST cried,
0:55:37 > 0:55:40because I know that I'd been in that pitch
0:55:40 > 0:55:45and I know that I was part of... I was part of getting that money.
0:55:52 > 0:55:54We hope it's just the first tranche of money
0:55:54 > 0:55:58that will enable Old School to carry on and grow.
0:55:59 > 0:56:02The experiment has worked beyond our best hopes,
0:56:02 > 0:56:06helping two of the loneliest and least confident parts of society
0:56:06 > 0:56:08to help each other.
0:56:10 > 0:56:13Our partners here will be carrying on,
0:56:13 > 0:56:16and we hope other schools around the country will join them.
0:56:18 > 0:56:20Before we go, Wes,
0:56:20 > 0:56:23the tough lad who learned how to box to protect himself,
0:56:23 > 0:56:27has done something Dave has been waiting for for 60 years.
0:56:27 > 0:56:31- Where are we going, Wes?- I've got a bit of a surprise for you.
0:56:31 > 0:56:34A few stairs for your old legs.
0:56:34 > 0:56:35I know, I've got to be careful here,
0:56:35 > 0:56:39because they don't care too much about being oldies.
0:56:39 > 0:56:42No, it'll be worth it when you get to the top.
0:56:42 > 0:56:46When you told me about your dad not wanting you to give piano lessons,
0:56:46 > 0:56:49- not letting you have piano lessons...- Yeah?
0:56:49 > 0:56:51I thought, everyone needs a chance,
0:56:51 > 0:56:55an opportunity to do what they want in life.
0:56:55 > 0:56:58And...
0:56:58 > 0:57:00I felt like I needed to give you an opportunity to do
0:57:00 > 0:57:02- what you wanted to do, so I got you a piano lesson.- Aw!
0:57:08 > 0:57:12So it's this one, this one, this one. Yeah?
0:57:14 > 0:57:16Yeah, brilliant.
0:57:16 > 0:57:18Brilliant. Ready? Let's give it a go again.
0:57:18 > 0:57:20THEY PLAY A 12-BAR BLUES
0:57:43 > 0:57:50What a gentle, enlightened thing to do.
0:57:50 > 0:57:54And all your fingers are going to play those ones.
0:57:54 > 0:57:55Yeah?
0:57:55 > 0:57:57Just because you're old,
0:57:57 > 0:58:01doesn't mean that you stop dreaming about doing stuff.
0:58:01 > 0:58:02Ba, ba.
0:58:02 > 0:58:04And again.
0:58:04 > 0:58:05Ba, ba. And again.
0:58:08 > 0:58:10Ba, ba. Good, so are you going to do?
0:58:20 > 0:58:25What do you think about the younger and older generations of today?
0:58:25 > 0:58:31Well, to find out more and have your say, go to...
0:58:31 > 0:58:33And follow the link to the Open University.