0:00:02 > 0:00:04School can be tough...
0:00:04 > 0:00:06There's people with their heads on their desk.
0:00:06 > 0:00:11- Not because they can't be bothered, just because they're too tired from all the thinking and that.- Er, boys!
0:00:11 > 0:00:14..and not just for the students.
0:00:14 > 0:00:16Get out of my classroom.
0:00:16 > 0:00:2050% of teachers leave the job within the first five years.
0:00:20 > 0:00:23James, you need to put these away. James! Go away... Go away!
0:00:23 > 0:00:26But some of the country's top graduates...
0:00:26 > 0:00:29- Morning, on this fine day.- ..are determined to give teaching a go.
0:00:29 > 0:00:32- Don't think you want to do well, or not?- Well!
0:00:32 > 0:00:35I've always wanted to make a difference and try and...
0:00:35 > 0:00:36help people and change things.
0:00:36 > 0:00:38- LAUGHTER - No. Right.
0:00:38 > 0:00:39Maybe slightly naively.
0:00:39 > 0:00:41- Morning, what's your name?- Ben.
0:00:41 > 0:00:45- The catch, they've only been given six weeks' training... - This is where the work begins.
0:00:45 > 0:00:46Keeping quiet.
0:00:46 > 0:00:48..before being let loose on the kids.
0:00:48 > 0:00:49BALLOON POPS, SCREAMING
0:00:49 > 0:00:52'It comes down to me. When they come into my classroom,'
0:00:52 > 0:00:54they expect to leave with something,
0:00:54 > 0:00:56and if I'm not delivering, then I'm failing.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59'What's the worst that can happen? Somebody told me that someone threw'
0:00:59 > 0:01:01a chair at them, on their first day.
0:01:01 > 0:01:03But are they up to the task?
0:01:03 > 0:01:06We're in Year Eight. We're going to be drawing naked women.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09And can they change the lives of their pupils?
0:01:09 > 0:01:11Can't breathe!
0:01:11 > 0:01:13This is someone's maths book.
0:01:13 > 0:01:15They're not even doing English in my class.
0:01:15 > 0:01:17I'll be Prime Minister one day. You'll see.
0:01:17 > 0:01:19Great lot, from Cranwood School.
0:01:19 > 0:01:21- All right, nice to see you. - Nice to see you too.
0:01:21 > 0:01:25- First, let me tell you, so this is for graduating.- Six teachers...
0:01:25 > 0:01:28I knew he was posh. I knew it, I knew it, I knew he was posh.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31- ..three schools... - Look at my face, you got a C.
0:01:31 > 0:01:33HE CHEERS, SHE LAUGHS
0:01:35 > 0:01:36..one unforgettable year.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38Get in there!
0:01:38 > 0:01:40- This week... - Who's still talking?
0:01:40 > 0:01:42..it's the countdown to the end of term.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47I was thinking, oh, look at all these lines,
0:01:47 > 0:01:49I have to fill up all of these lines.
0:01:49 > 0:01:51And, you know, I just couldn't handle it.
0:01:51 > 0:01:52- No, put the chair down.- No.
0:01:52 > 0:01:54'It has crossed my mind that, like,'
0:01:54 > 0:01:58my school would fire me. I feel like they're that disappointed in me.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09I have marked your test. We'll be going through them
0:02:09 > 0:02:11tomorrow, OK?
0:02:13 > 0:02:15I'm going to say, they were not fantastic.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18Six young trainees are on Britain's toughest graduate programme,
0:02:18 > 0:02:20run by the charity Teach First.
0:02:20 > 0:02:22They train on the job for two years,
0:02:22 > 0:02:24in schools in deprived areas in London.
0:02:24 > 0:02:26Did you remember your book?
0:02:26 > 0:02:28- Yeah, I've got it. - Good boy, well done.
0:02:28 > 0:02:30They've been on the job for two months.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33- Pens down.- It's another five weeks before Christmas...
0:02:33 > 0:02:36- You're champs, excellent. - ..and their first proper break.
0:02:36 > 0:02:38You should be standing behind your desk!
0:02:40 > 0:02:42Wait, who's talking?
0:02:42 > 0:02:44What would you do differently, then, Dena?
0:02:44 > 0:02:47If we could start from a clean slate, what would you do?
0:02:47 > 0:02:49Not teach.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52- Caleb, I need you to stay at the front.- Why?
0:02:52 > 0:02:54Because I need you to pass your exam.
0:02:54 > 0:02:56I look at so many of the kids,
0:02:56 > 0:02:59and you're, like, you're just going after it, you want a conflict,
0:02:59 > 0:03:02you want to have an argument, you want to have a fight.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05And you sit at the front, or you leave the classroom.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11I mean, kids have no problem calling you a BLEEP!
0:03:15 > 0:03:17HE LAUGHS
0:03:17 > 0:03:19Yeah, just turn the page, Harry, it's on the back.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22'I have a few classes that I absolutely love to teach.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25'In those lessons, I stand there and I think, I could do this forever.'
0:03:25 > 0:03:28But then I'll equally have lessons where I think, Oh, God,
0:03:28 > 0:03:29I can't do this, ever again.
0:03:29 > 0:03:31Get me out, when's this hour going to end?
0:03:31 > 0:03:34Ah, look at this, he's nailing it.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38They're all working towards a teacher qualification.
0:03:38 > 0:03:42But at this stage in the year, some are progressing faster than others.
0:03:42 > 0:03:43One of the things that has
0:03:43 > 0:03:46stuck out for me is, to really be exceptional,
0:03:46 > 0:03:49you've got to care persistently about your kids.
0:03:49 > 0:03:53Archie, this is amazing. People, I'm really impressed. How's it going?
0:03:58 > 0:04:01But at the Harefield Academy, one trainee, Meryl, has fallen
0:04:01 > 0:04:03seriously behind.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06Can you tuck your chairs in under your desks, please?!
0:04:06 > 0:04:09She's had the roughest ride of all the trainees so far.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12This is someone's maths book.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15They're not even doing English in my class.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18Her life-long dream is to be a teacher.
0:04:18 > 0:04:20My ambition is to do teaching,
0:04:20 > 0:04:22for the rest of my working life.
0:04:22 > 0:04:24But she can't control classes.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26They're not working or paying any attention,
0:04:26 > 0:04:28they're colouring in, doing what they want.
0:04:28 > 0:04:30And despite all her training...
0:04:30 > 0:04:36The more time you spend before your lesson, the better your lesson goes.
0:04:36 > 0:04:37..she still can't cope,
0:04:37 > 0:04:40and the school have had to give her extra support.
0:04:40 > 0:04:42- We've flagged you as a cause for concern.- OK.
0:04:42 > 0:04:47- OK? Teach First will want to talk to you.- Yeah.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51Now, I have to read something out to you
0:04:51 > 0:04:55and it all sounds a bit official, but it's very important that
0:04:55 > 0:04:57you understand what I'm saying, and then after...
0:04:57 > 0:05:00Two months into her placement and Meryl has an official visit
0:05:00 > 0:05:01from a course tutor.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04So your work's been designated as a cause for concern.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07This means that in the professional judgment of colleagues,
0:05:07 > 0:05:09if you continue at your current rate of progress,
0:05:09 > 0:05:12your work will not provide sufficient evidence
0:05:12 > 0:05:15to achieve qualified teacher status by the end of the year.
0:05:15 > 0:05:19If, after a further period, your work has not made the progress
0:05:19 > 0:05:20identified in the improvement plan,
0:05:20 > 0:05:23- you may be asked to withdraw from the programme.- OK.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26In a way, it would be great if all participants
0:05:26 > 0:05:28were a cause for concern, because then you could put in
0:05:28 > 0:05:30so much more support.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33And I do want to say to you that I had a boy two years ago
0:05:33 > 0:05:36that was on cause for concern at this stage
0:05:36 > 0:05:38and ended up being outstanding.
0:05:38 > 0:05:42- You have, like, 30 working days...- OK.
0:05:42 > 0:05:48- ..when we will then review your improvement plan.- OK.
0:05:51 > 0:05:56We really need to see some sense of growth, otherwise we start...
0:05:56 > 0:06:00I mean, we will start making plans for other things, and so on.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03So, in the interest of the students...
0:06:03 > 0:06:06'It does feel a little bit like an intervention.
0:06:06 > 0:06:08'It's like a group of people'
0:06:08 > 0:06:10sitting down and saying, you know,
0:06:10 > 0:06:14Meryl, we think you're an alcoholic, and here are some steps to help you.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16I'm obviously not an alcoholic.
0:06:26 > 0:06:31Step one on the road to recovery is Year Ten bottom set English,
0:06:31 > 0:06:34observed by Rachel, a Teach First coach.
0:06:36 > 0:06:38Meryl wants to show a video in class,
0:06:38 > 0:06:40but no-one's paying any attention.
0:06:40 > 0:06:41Jordan!
0:06:41 > 0:06:43I'm going for a time-out, Madam!
0:06:43 > 0:06:45Shh.
0:06:45 > 0:06:46I know that Miss,
0:06:46 > 0:06:49and a few people here, are ready to watch the video.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52It would be really nice if I could hear it,
0:06:52 > 0:06:55- and be part of this lesson with you. - Thank you.
0:06:55 > 0:06:56LAUGHTER James.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59- There's no need to laugh, James. - James, get out, please.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02- No!- No, get out. Get out!
0:07:02 > 0:07:05- You are embarrassing yourself.- How?
0:07:05 > 0:07:08Why are you laughing? It's not even funny, not even funny.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10Not even funny, James.
0:07:10 > 0:07:12I mean, the way, how she speaks is like, "Now, guys,
0:07:12 > 0:07:14"I want to be a part of this lesson,
0:07:14 > 0:07:17"and I really want to watch the movie.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20- "And I'm sure..." You can't say it's not funny!- James.
0:07:20 > 0:07:21- HE LAUGHS - You can't say it's not funny.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24The only thing that's funny
0:07:24 > 0:07:27is the fact that you are on course to fail your GCSE.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30- Jordan... No, put the chair down. - Go.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33Jordan, do something, like your work.
0:07:36 > 0:07:40Watch these three now, watch 'em attack, watch, watch, yeah?
0:07:40 > 0:07:41Are you watching, madam?
0:07:44 > 0:07:46- Did you see that? Did you see that attack?- Take a seat.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53- Jordan.- Bloody idiot!
0:07:53 > 0:07:55Hi, Sir, would you please... Jordan...
0:07:55 > 0:07:59Meryl follows the school procedure and calls a stand-by teacher.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01Why am I in the stand-by?
0:08:01 > 0:08:04He was... You clearly saw him throw something at me.
0:08:04 > 0:08:05What is wrong with you?
0:08:10 > 0:08:14- Ryan, no...- That weren't me!- Let's get you down.- No, that weren't me.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17You need to get your planner out, nonetheless.
0:08:19 > 0:08:23'They're not nasty kids, and they do, you know, have time for Meryl'
0:08:23 > 0:08:26and want to hear what she says, and respond to her when they,
0:08:26 > 0:08:28she talks to them on an individual basis.
0:08:28 > 0:08:30Melissa, have you got your work to do?
0:08:30 > 0:08:32'It's just about nurturing the environment'
0:08:32 > 0:08:38in which they can do that. And, yeah, I think...
0:08:38 > 0:08:41I think there's a lot of potential there
0:08:41 > 0:08:45for the kids, you know, the kids to really embrace her, and her lessons.
0:08:45 > 0:08:46So he's trying to make it out as though
0:08:46 > 0:08:48he doesn't want other people in this room.
0:08:48 > 0:08:52And really, they're not allowed in this room cos he's black.
0:08:52 > 0:08:56All right, let me help you out, superstar group, yay!
0:09:00 > 0:09:03- I've had a shit day, guys. But I do have...- Shit happens.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05- How was it?- That's not very...
0:09:05 > 0:09:07- And it happened today. - Shit happens.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10- Continue, sorry.- How dare you interrupt my shit day story!
0:09:10 > 0:09:13- Go.- I had a feedback session from my head of department.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16Then I had feedback, after school, from the head,
0:09:16 > 0:09:18- for an observation on Tuesday. - From the head?
0:09:18 > 0:09:21- And then... Yeah. - It's so stressful, being observed.
0:09:21 > 0:09:25I just had a really awful last session, as well, which had to be
0:09:25 > 0:09:28the one lesson that someone from Teach First came in to see.
0:09:28 > 0:09:32Three of them started throwing books around, not bothering, just, like...
0:09:32 > 0:09:34- It's not your fault. - I can vouch that this class...
0:09:34 > 0:09:37Meryl, it's a nightmare. I know some of the guys in it.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40Meryl's got this, like, cause for concern thing. Can I just say...
0:09:40 > 0:09:43- What?!- But get a load of this, like, this is Meryl's feedback.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46- Like, here are 20 things you've got to improve... Thanks.- What?!
0:09:46 > 0:09:47You'd never do that to a kid.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50You'd never give a kid 20 targets for improvement.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52- Yeah, exactly. - You'd give them three...- Maximum.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55..cos that's all a human being can focus on at once.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58I think they have a concern that I'm not going to pass the year.
0:09:58 > 0:10:00We're nearly at Christmas, believe it or not.
0:10:00 > 0:10:02And this is the hardest stretch.
0:10:02 > 0:10:04Have you thought about dropping out?
0:10:04 > 0:10:06- Has it crossed your mind?- No.
0:10:06 > 0:10:10But it's crossed my mind that, like, my school would fire me.
0:10:10 > 0:10:12I feel like they're that disappointed in me.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14We're now doing the four feedback sessions for Meryl.
0:10:14 > 0:10:16No, no, it's true.
0:10:16 > 0:10:18Like, I know, it's just cos we want to help, but it's true.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20Like, we've just got to shut up.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22She just needs freedom, to become a teacher,
0:10:22 > 0:10:24and not, people not to tell her what to do.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27That's what I think. Do you not think? You know best what you need.
0:10:33 > 0:10:35Look who it is. You all right?
0:10:35 > 0:10:38Like Meryl, Nicholas also works at the Harefield Academy.
0:10:38 > 0:10:39Becky, get on with some work.
0:10:39 > 0:10:40I can't do it. What do you have to do?
0:10:40 > 0:10:42Yeah, you can. You haven't even tried.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44The school are pleased with his progress.
0:10:44 > 0:10:45'At the end of the day,'
0:10:45 > 0:10:49I think we'll all agree that kids are just quite annoying,
0:10:49 > 0:10:53and if you can't deal with that and you can't go beyond that, you do
0:10:53 > 0:10:57just end up not liking them, because they are so annoying sometimes.
0:10:57 > 0:10:58Becky, that's my pad.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01- I don't really appreciate you doodling on it.- What?
0:11:01 > 0:11:05- Look how sick that tree is. - 'It's a part of it.'
0:11:05 > 0:11:06Just to be able to love their innocence.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09Love their stupid questions, and be able to laugh at it,
0:11:09 > 0:11:11and not let it get to you every time.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14You speak really posh. You, like, pronounce all your letters.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16- Like, wat-er, but-ter. - Yeah, very good.
0:11:16 > 0:11:18You should try and speak like that, cos that's proper English.
0:11:18 > 0:11:20Do you talk like this, do you go like this,
0:11:20 > 0:11:23- when you say bye, do you go, ta-ta, ta-ta?- No, I don't do that. Come on.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26So far, his only problem is getting 13-year-old Becky
0:11:26 > 0:11:29to stop taking the mickey out of his accent...
0:11:29 > 0:11:32- Come on, get on with it.- 'He's posh.
0:11:32 > 0:11:33'Oh, let's go get some crumpets, and...'
0:11:33 > 0:11:38I reckon he's from a high place of, like, the country.
0:11:38 > 0:11:40..and motivating her mate Zach to actually do some work.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43So, put homework at the top of the page.
0:11:43 > 0:11:46Zach, can I have the elastic band?
0:11:46 > 0:11:49- No, you can have the paper. - No, no, the elastic band.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52Zach, I'll count to five, and I'll call stand-by if you don't give me the elastic band.
0:11:52 > 0:11:58Five, four, three, two, one... Thank you.
0:11:58 > 0:12:00He's, like, posh, and I'm not.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03So, I'm never going to be the same as him, so...
0:12:03 > 0:12:06But do you think he might share any interests the same as you?
0:12:06 > 0:12:08Doubt it.
0:12:08 > 0:12:12- Come on, Zach. How we doing?- Stressed out.- You're stressed out?- Yeah.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14Can we try and forget and just do some work?
0:12:14 > 0:12:18- Come on.- What work?
0:12:18 > 0:12:20This work. We've got to do this.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23Everyone's understanding, and you're just not doing anything.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25Let's try it together. Two times something equals six.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31- What's the something? - Two times three.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34Good. OK, X equals three. OK? I'd like you to try the next one.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37If you get this one done, then you don't need to do homework.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40- Oh, is that the end of lesson, then? - That will be almost the end.
0:12:40 > 0:12:42You've got ten minutes to get that done. OK?
0:12:42 > 0:12:46'Anyone who's decided they're disengaged needs a lot of work
0:12:46 > 0:12:49'and time and love, and all these things, to show them something different.'
0:12:49 > 0:12:52To show them another choice that they've got to make.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55And that... That really is big.
0:12:55 > 0:13:00It's not something I can just do by going at it half-heartedly.
0:13:07 > 0:13:12All right, guys, listening very closely... Three, two, one.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14Face this way.
0:13:14 > 0:13:1625 miles away is Lanfranc School, in Croydon.
0:13:16 > 0:13:20Two, I don't want to hear any more voices, and three,
0:13:20 > 0:13:25you should all have bums on seats and you should all be listening.
0:13:25 > 0:13:26Shh, shh, shh, shh, shh.
0:13:26 > 0:13:28Chloe teaches Geography.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31She's in her second year at the school.
0:13:31 > 0:13:32So far, she's excelled,
0:13:32 > 0:13:35and the school are hoping she stays long-term.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38So in January, when you come back after Christmas,
0:13:38 > 0:13:41you will be sitting your first exam -
0:13:41 > 0:13:43your first exam that counts.
0:13:43 > 0:13:47Her Year 11 class are her biggest challenge to date.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50They face their GCSEs in a matter of months.
0:13:50 > 0:13:54What you should have... Dominic, up. Sit up.
0:13:54 > 0:13:59All the way up. Now lift your head. There we go. OK. Open your eyes.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02Thank you. OK. So, what...
0:14:02 > 0:14:05'There's a few in particular that I worry about, Cos I can see
0:14:05 > 0:14:09'they've got potential, but I don't know if they'll follow through,'
0:14:09 > 0:14:12and do the revision and do the work,
0:14:12 > 0:14:13and get the grade that they should.
0:14:13 > 0:14:19This is our last lesson going through your resource booklet,
0:14:19 > 0:14:21before you sit your mock.
0:14:21 > 0:14:25'Some of them don't see the importance of getting these C grades,'
0:14:25 > 0:14:27and that then next year, they're going to find themselves
0:14:27 > 0:14:30in a position where they're stuck, and they don't know what to do.
0:14:30 > 0:14:35Green space. What does it say about green space?
0:14:35 > 0:14:39Argh... What does it say?
0:14:39 > 0:14:42'I have this horrible image of them turning up at school,
0:14:42 > 0:14:45'on results day and opening their envelopes
0:14:45 > 0:14:47'and just seeing really disappointed little faces.'
0:14:47 > 0:14:51Oh, I couldn't handle that. That would really upset me.
0:14:51 > 0:14:53Today, she wants to try and make
0:14:53 > 0:14:56her Geography class more relevant to them.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59Why do you think your view of London is so different to my view of London?
0:14:59 > 0:15:02You don't live in Croydon. Understand? Understand?
0:15:02 > 0:15:04If you were to live in Croydon,
0:15:04 > 0:15:06you would understand what we're talking about.
0:15:06 > 0:15:10But because you live in the north of, like... You live in Clapham,
0:15:10 > 0:15:13don't you? So obviously, it's more of a different experience
0:15:13 > 0:15:17to what we see and to what you see. You come here for a period of time,
0:15:17 > 0:15:22and we are pretty much here all the time.
0:15:22 > 0:15:26You don't see all, like, the gang-bang bangers, yeah?
0:15:26 > 0:15:29So, like, yeah, our generation, we're more used to, like,
0:15:29 > 0:15:34the gun crimes and little black boys getting stabbed up and that.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37I would never walk home late by myself, at night.
0:15:39 > 0:15:43No, I don't get scared when I see a group...
0:15:43 > 0:15:46- Because I, you know, because of where I work.- I doubt
0:15:46 > 0:15:49that young people are going to approach an adult, I doubt it.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51- But do you not think... - Adults do get smacked,
0:15:51 > 0:15:55- I'm not going to lie.- Yeah. If I was walking home, by myself, at night,
0:15:55 > 0:15:59and there was a group of boys at the end of the road,
0:15:59 > 0:16:01white or black, I would feel... Or Asian...
0:16:01 > 0:16:04- THE KIDS SHOUT OVER EACH OTHER - ..I would feel vulnerable.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07But I don't have the same perception of London as you do.
0:16:07 > 0:16:12All right, boys, listening again. Drop it now, come on.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15Go home, read the resources, practise the questions,
0:16:15 > 0:16:19again and again, that we've done in class... Sit down... OK.
0:16:19 > 0:16:21Take your books home, revise.
0:16:21 > 0:16:24Link everything you write to sustainability.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27Dominic, when are you going to come and get this? Tomorrow...
0:16:27 > 0:16:29They just said that, like, when I asked
0:16:29 > 0:16:32what they thought of London, the first thing they said was crime,
0:16:32 > 0:16:36and murder, and little black boys in gangs, getting stabbed.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39They didn't think of the kind of things I would think of.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42And even though I, you know, there is, you know,
0:16:42 > 0:16:46I do associate London with crime, it wouldn't be the first thing
0:16:46 > 0:16:48that would come into my head, kind of thing.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51Whereas for them, it is the first thing, for some reason,
0:16:51 > 0:16:53I don't really know why.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56But I guess they've grown up here, whereas I didn't, I moved here.
0:16:58 > 0:17:02As a little girl, she was always very dutiful, wasn't she?
0:17:02 > 0:17:05She was always very dutiful. Very conscientious.
0:17:05 > 0:17:07She was always quite motherly.
0:17:07 > 0:17:09She was never in trouble, that I can recall.
0:17:09 > 0:17:11Not that we were aware of, anyway.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14Yeah, it's really changed.
0:17:14 > 0:17:16Chloe grew up in Sussex,
0:17:16 > 0:17:19and went to a private all-girls' school in Brighton.
0:17:19 > 0:17:21- I haven't been here in ages...- No.
0:17:21 > 0:17:23- ..in years. Since before university.- 18, you...
0:17:23 > 0:17:26Yeah, so five, nearly six years now.
0:17:26 > 0:17:28Happy days, happy memories.
0:17:28 > 0:17:30I don't think there's many similarities.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33Lanfranc's very nurturing and very caring,
0:17:33 > 0:17:36but I think the way the lessons are delivered,
0:17:36 > 0:17:40and the way the school's kind of set up is quite different.
0:17:40 > 0:17:43And they come from much tougher lives, a lot of them.
0:17:43 > 0:17:47You know, they're sort of... They don't necessarily always have
0:17:47 > 0:17:50a safe place to go home and do their schoolwork, and things like that.
0:17:50 > 0:17:55- You have a different clientele. - Yes. A very different clientele.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02OK, everybody should have a book, and everybody should be reading.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05The books are here, if you haven't got one.
0:18:05 > 0:18:10Also at Lanfranc is fellow Teach Firster Charles, who teaches RE.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12Excellent, lots of people reading. Who's not reading?
0:18:12 > 0:18:18'The school is in one of the most deprived areas of the UK.
0:18:18 > 0:18:23'The school itself is falling apart. It's not really fit for purpose.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26'I think that makes it challenging.'
0:18:26 > 0:18:29But the teachers do a fantastic job of making do.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35Charles has got into the spirit of Lanfranc.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38He's introduced compulsory reading in his tutor group, to help
0:18:38 > 0:18:40improve their literacy.
0:18:40 > 0:18:44Sky can go, Mohammed can go, Hussain can go, Alex can go, Andre can go.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47Today, he's also running an after-school session
0:18:47 > 0:18:49for GCSE students who have fallen behind.
0:18:52 > 0:18:55Caleb and classmate Joel have been two of his most
0:18:55 > 0:18:56challenging Year 11 pupils.
0:18:56 > 0:19:00Joel, I think you know how to get full marks.
0:19:00 > 0:19:01You could think of a history example.
0:19:01 > 0:19:05- You could think of, for example, The Treaty of Versailles. - Yeah, that's it.
0:19:05 > 0:19:09I'm doing that as well, Treaty of Versailles.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14That would've made sure that you got all six marks.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17At the moment, it's probably about five marks.
0:19:17 > 0:19:21After ten minutes' revision, Caleb's decided he's had enough.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23You've got to have higher standards for yourself.
0:19:23 > 0:19:25Someone's waiting for me, I gotta go.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27Caleb, got to have higher standards for yourself.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31- But you asked me to do...- What's your target?- I don't even know.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34- What's your target? - I don't know, I didn't...
0:19:34 > 0:19:37It's a B. You need about 16 marks, OK?
0:19:37 > 0:19:41At the moment, we've got one, two...
0:19:43 > 0:19:45How many did we get here?
0:19:45 > 0:19:47We've got ten marks.
0:19:47 > 0:19:49That means we need another six marks,
0:19:49 > 0:19:51otherwise you're not going to get a B.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54So I suggest you sit down, so that we can get a B.
0:19:59 > 0:20:00Caleb.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04Hey, Caleb, why you running away?
0:20:04 > 0:20:08I'm not running away, but you know how bored I get.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11- It's just boring. - What about Mr Wallendahl?
0:20:11 > 0:20:14Wasn't that nice for him to make the time for you guys?
0:20:14 > 0:20:17He's a teacher, it's his job.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28Joel also makes a dash for it.
0:20:28 > 0:20:32Short attention span! Maybe at a school like this,
0:20:32 > 0:20:36you do, if you want to succeed,
0:20:36 > 0:20:40you do have to have a drive and an independence that's greater
0:20:40 > 0:20:44than somebody at a school where everybody achieves.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59Meryl is preparing for yet another observation.
0:20:59 > 0:21:03This time, it's with Harefield's vice-principal, Gavin Henderson.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07I'm going to be observing Meryl with a Year Nine class.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09When I saw them before, the group were challenging.
0:21:09 > 0:21:13She was finding it really hard to get anything effective from them.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16So, today, what I'm really looking for is a bit of a step forward,
0:21:16 > 0:21:19away from that position, into something where she's...
0:21:19 > 0:21:22managing the learning of the majority of those people.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27Students are much more engaged. When I walk through the door,
0:21:27 > 0:21:29I am really hoping that she's going to be...
0:21:29 > 0:21:32have taken on board the advice she's been given,
0:21:32 > 0:21:34and made those improvements.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37Gavin won't allow the session to be filmed, in case the cameras
0:21:37 > 0:21:39affect the students' behaviour.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47Hi, am I OK to come in?
0:21:47 > 0:21:49Yeah, OK, thank you very much.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53Where would you like me to sit?
0:21:58 > 0:22:01Nick has been asked to pick two pupils to go on an outing,
0:22:01 > 0:22:02organised by the school.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06He's chosen Zach and Becky.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09There's a real intention to be able to get closer to the kids,
0:22:09 > 0:22:13not only as a teacher, as a Maths teacher, but also, you know,
0:22:13 > 0:22:17as a human being, looking at other growing younger beings.
0:22:17 > 0:22:19'Any human being values being loved
0:22:19 > 0:22:21'and, essentially, that's what it is, really.'
0:22:21 > 0:22:24Have any of you ever heard of pheasant shooting?
0:22:24 > 0:22:25- Yeah.- Do you know what it is?
0:22:25 > 0:22:27- It's where you shoot things. - You shoot things.
0:22:27 > 0:22:29- I want to do that. - What we would do is...
0:22:29 > 0:22:32we'd walk through the forest, like, hitting at the sticks and stuff,
0:22:32 > 0:22:35- so the birds would fly up, then the other people would shoot them...- That's wicked.
0:22:35 > 0:22:36..and then afterwards, we could...
0:22:36 > 0:22:39afterwards, you can have a go firing the gun,
0:22:39 > 0:22:41- if you wanted, maybe. - That's wicked.- Yeah, OK.
0:22:41 > 0:22:43- So you're up for that, yeah?- Yeah. - OK, fine.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46I knew he was posh. I knew it, I knew it. I knew he was posh.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49Cos that's what posh people do, they're like, oh, yes,
0:22:49 > 0:22:51let's go shoot some plates, yeah.
0:22:51 > 0:22:53I feel it's quite exciting, like, shooting,
0:22:53 > 0:22:58like, like animals in a... I feel like, it's like Bambi.
0:22:58 > 0:23:00When it dies.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03Did you expect him to say, do you want to come shooting with me?
0:23:03 > 0:23:05Not at all. I thought it was going to be, do you want to come to, like,
0:23:05 > 0:23:10- Maths Club, or something? - I would not turn up to that!
0:23:10 > 0:23:11Yeah, neither would I.
0:23:15 > 0:23:17Meryl's observation is over.
0:23:17 > 0:23:21It wasn't a very successful lesson. Things sort of deteriorated.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24She didn't manage to get them engaged.
0:23:24 > 0:23:29A few students were really quite, er, almost deliberately challenging her,
0:23:29 > 0:23:32trying to undermine her, and so on. To be quite honest,
0:23:32 > 0:23:36it didn't seem to suggest a great deal of progress, from last time.
0:23:36 > 0:23:41So, quite a disappointment really, which is very sad.
0:23:41 > 0:23:46Awful, absolutely awful. Couldn't have gone worse, to be honest.
0:23:46 > 0:23:50Like, it was so bad, so, so poor, the behaviour.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53It's not a great thing for Gavin to have seen,
0:23:53 > 0:23:59but if I'm completely honest, I'm observed, like, half the week.
0:23:59 > 0:24:03I feel that things aren't great, every lesson.
0:24:03 > 0:24:05I don't know, you just feel like you're running out of ideas.
0:24:05 > 0:24:09I need someone to tell me, do this with this class
0:24:09 > 0:24:12and see if it works. There's a good number of kids
0:24:12 > 0:24:15on my register, for that class,
0:24:15 > 0:24:20who are consistently getting in trouble across the board.
0:24:21 > 0:24:26Oh, my gosh, I've had a diabolical day. Diabolical!
0:24:27 > 0:24:31- You're looking hot today, Meryl. - Thank you, you too, Nick.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33- You got observed today again, didn't you?- Yeah...
0:24:33 > 0:24:36You're being observed the whole time, these days.
0:24:36 > 0:24:37Pretty much. It feels like it.
0:24:37 > 0:24:39If I'm the only adult in the room, it feels really weird.
0:24:39 > 0:24:43- Don't put any more pressure on yourself.- I'm trying not to, yeah.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46- Just don't.- I mean, I can't physically put in any more hours...
0:24:46 > 0:24:48- Yeah, exactly.- So it's a case of...
0:24:48 > 0:24:50I think you should write a letter saying,
0:24:50 > 0:24:54please could you thank me for the amount of hours I put in to my job?
0:24:54 > 0:24:56Because I put so many in, I'm now being paid £3.00 an hour.
0:24:56 > 0:25:00- Your capacity is to be an excellent teacher...- Thank you.
0:25:00 > 0:25:02You've taught some great lessons. And also...
0:25:02 > 0:25:06I know, I wish they blimmin' came in and observed some of those lessons.
0:25:06 > 0:25:08No, but you've taught some amazing lessons.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11You've got such a great imagination, to think up cool stuff.
0:25:11 > 0:25:15Build up your confidence. Cos of having taken a hit, you're like, scared to take risks now.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18Yeah, I need to find my inner teacher again.
0:25:18 > 0:25:20- And that will bring you back up. - Yeah.
0:25:25 > 0:25:29Good amenities means good shopping, leisure and schools. Excellent.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31'There is something really nice about Lanfranc.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34It has an amazing community feeling and an amazing atmosphere.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38I'd also like you to give marks and cue words,
0:25:38 > 0:25:41such as...Adhan, Tarnick, Circumcision...
0:25:41 > 0:25:45'All of the pupils are sort of given the best chance, I think.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48'And I think that's it's real redeeming quality.'
0:25:48 > 0:25:51We might not get the best results. We have the most unattractive building in the world,
0:25:51 > 0:25:55but there's a really nice feeling to the school.
0:25:55 > 0:25:57And I think everyone, staff and pupils,
0:25:57 > 0:26:00feels quite valued there, and like they are important.
0:26:00 > 0:26:02And that's a nice place to work,
0:26:02 > 0:26:04and it's a nice atmosphere for children to be in.
0:26:06 > 0:26:09Lanfranc are about to put on their Christmas show,
0:26:09 > 0:26:12and Charles' Head Of Department, Abida, has a job for him.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17Here's a challenge for you. We need an amazingly beautiful,
0:26:17 > 0:26:23Arab-looking Joseph for the concert.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26All his role will be is to dress up as Joseph
0:26:26 > 0:26:28and sit on the stage, and be Joseph.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31He hasn't got a speaking part, he's just got to look pretty.
0:26:31 > 0:26:33But we want somebody to look Arabic,
0:26:33 > 0:26:38- and somebody quite beautiful looking. - Arab-looking...
0:26:38 > 0:26:42We've got a black baby Jesus. But it kind of fits the diversity.
0:26:42 > 0:26:46We've got a white Mary. Very serene, very chaste.
0:26:46 > 0:26:50We kind of want an Arab and an older Joseph to try and...
0:26:50 > 0:26:52SHE LAUGHS
0:26:52 > 0:26:54I'm on duty today, so what I'm going to do is get up
0:26:54 > 0:26:56- and just ask a few of them. - Get it sorted, and tell me
0:26:56 > 0:26:59- who they are, by the end of the day.- OK.
0:26:59 > 0:27:01- Do you think you can do that challenge?- Yeah.
0:27:01 > 0:27:05Right, then. Don't let me down. You are finding Joseph.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10You're finding Joseph. And if you don't, I'm going to cry.
0:27:15 > 0:27:18Isaac, do you think you'd be a good Joseph?
0:27:18 > 0:27:22- I'm not sure, at the mo. - I don't think you're my man.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25Are you Joseph? You don't have to say any lines.
0:27:25 > 0:27:29You just sit there and look pretty, in your dress.
0:27:29 > 0:27:33You don't look thrilled about the idea. Off you go.
0:27:33 > 0:27:37Right, boys, in we go! You're going to be late otherwise.
0:27:37 > 0:27:39Have you thought about Joseph any more, William?
0:27:46 > 0:27:48Right, come in, please, Year Eights.
0:27:48 > 0:27:52Claudenia teaches Science at Crown Woods College, in South East London.
0:27:52 > 0:27:56Sitting down quiet, standing quietly behind your desks!
0:27:56 > 0:27:57Take your essential four out.
0:27:57 > 0:28:00Do you remember in August, you said you wanted to be an inspiration?
0:28:00 > 0:28:02- Did I? Did I say that?- You did.
0:28:02 > 0:28:06I went into this to be a role model. I wanted to be in classes where
0:28:06 > 0:28:09they could really be like, Miss,
0:28:09 > 0:28:12- I salute you.- Yeah, you wanted to be an inspiration and you wanted to...
0:28:12 > 0:28:14The cheese just oozes out of my mouth sometimes.
0:28:16 > 0:28:18Can I have silence, please, Year Eights?
0:28:20 > 0:28:24But Claudenia's got to master the basics, before she can be an inspiration.
0:28:24 > 0:28:28The way you came into this classroom was disgusting!
0:28:28 > 0:28:31And her Year Eights aren't making it easy.
0:28:31 > 0:28:34The next person I have to stop for,
0:28:34 > 0:28:37the next person I have to speak to, I'll be phoning home today.
0:28:37 > 0:28:40It's disgusting. It has to get better.
0:28:40 > 0:28:44So, can we line up outside, quietly? Line up.
0:28:47 > 0:28:49QUIETLY!
0:28:51 > 0:28:53OK, come in, Year Eights, come in.
0:28:59 > 0:29:03SHOUTING AND LAUGHTER
0:29:03 > 0:29:05OK, it wasn't silent. Back outside, back outside.
0:29:05 > 0:29:08THEY GROAN
0:29:16 > 0:29:18Very rarely, you can raise your voice,
0:29:18 > 0:29:21it has to be something very, very serious.
0:29:21 > 0:29:25On the whole, you should just be assertive and clear.
0:29:25 > 0:29:27- Ellie, hello.- Hi, Sir...
0:29:32 > 0:29:36- I am very, very busy.- How many times did we have to line up,
0:29:36 > 0:29:39before we could come in quietly?
0:29:39 > 0:29:43How many times did we have to do that this morning, this afternoon?
0:29:43 > 0:29:45- Yes, Alfie?- Three.
0:29:45 > 0:29:51If you can't get through the first part of the lesson sensibly,
0:29:51 > 0:29:54I cannot trust you to do practicals.
0:29:54 > 0:29:58And now it's the end of the lesson and we've run out of time.
0:29:58 > 0:30:02And this is extremely disappointing, really disappointing,
0:30:02 > 0:30:06cos you've got so much ability and you're being disrespectful,
0:30:06 > 0:30:08and you're not working.
0:30:08 > 0:30:11- You're letting yourselves down.- OK.
0:30:11 > 0:30:17One person from each group needs to come and bring back the power pack.
0:30:17 > 0:30:18'I never, in my life,
0:30:18 > 0:30:22'tolerated anyone being disrespectful to me, never.
0:30:23 > 0:30:26'Like, this is a joke to me.'
0:30:26 > 0:30:28Respect is a basic thing, man.
0:30:28 > 0:30:29Respect is a basic thing.
0:30:29 > 0:30:32I think it's, for most people, if you put effort in,
0:30:32 > 0:30:35you get something back, you know.
0:30:38 > 0:30:40But I'm getting nothing back.
0:30:43 > 0:30:44Claudenia teaches alongside
0:30:44 > 0:30:49fellow trainee Oliver, who's also her flatmate.
0:30:49 > 0:30:51They're 12 weeks into their first term.
0:30:51 > 0:30:56It takes so long to mark one book... SHE LAUGHS
0:30:56 > 0:30:58She's very self-critical.
0:30:58 > 0:31:02That's one thing I'm learning to not be, is not be too self-damning.
0:31:02 > 0:31:05But I wake up in the morning at, like, 5:30
0:31:05 > 0:31:09and I come downstairs, and she's, like, sitting up,
0:31:09 > 0:31:11working like she's been working for hours.
0:31:11 > 0:31:14And in some of the cases, some of the time, she has.
0:31:14 > 0:31:17When she's sick, she still is, like, I can't, I still have to go in
0:31:17 > 0:31:20because they have to work, and they have to have a teacher.
0:31:20 > 0:31:24This shows, to me, their attitude towards their work.
0:31:24 > 0:31:28They're just not bothered. I think they just want me to... What do you call it?
0:31:28 > 0:31:32Food spoon, is that what you...? Feeds, what's that,
0:31:32 > 0:31:35What do you call it? Feed spoon. Food spoon.
0:31:35 > 0:31:38SHE LAUGHS I can't remember what...
0:31:38 > 0:31:40- Spoon feed.- Spoon feed!
0:31:47 > 0:31:50She's definitely very self-critical, maybe too self-critical.
0:31:50 > 0:31:55She should accept we're not going in perfect, we're going in as raw materials,
0:31:55 > 0:31:57to become a finished product.
0:32:13 > 0:32:15It's three weeks away from the Christmas play
0:32:15 > 0:32:17and Abida is on Charles' case,
0:32:17 > 0:32:22wanting to find out who's going to be her Arab-looking Joseph.
0:32:22 > 0:32:24I found William.
0:32:24 > 0:32:27They have to be sensible. It has to be in your mind now,
0:32:27 > 0:32:29so you go and find them, you clear it, they're going to come.
0:32:29 > 0:32:32If not, I need to know that you haven't found one,
0:32:32 > 0:32:35so I can do something with plan B. The thing is, it's urgent.
0:32:35 > 0:32:39- What do you think of Collechi? - He looks like an African boy.
0:32:39 > 0:32:43We were trying to get somebody that would look a bit like,
0:32:43 > 0:32:45sort of a white Arab kind of look.
0:32:45 > 0:32:48I don't really teach really sensible Year Ten boys.
0:32:48 > 0:32:52All right, then, ask Collechi. So find out if he's willing.
0:32:52 > 0:32:54Find out if he's not already involved,
0:32:54 > 0:32:57and if that's the done deal, Collechi's our man.
0:33:01 > 0:33:04Morning, Sir, can I speak to Collechi?
0:33:04 > 0:33:05Thank you, Sir.
0:33:05 > 0:33:09Are you involved in the Christmas concert?
0:33:09 > 0:33:11- No.- Would you like to be Joseph?
0:33:11 > 0:33:13Flattering, but I'd rather not.
0:33:13 > 0:33:15- You'd rather not?- Yes, Sir.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18I think, if I was at school, I wouldn't want to be Joseph.
0:33:21 > 0:33:23- He doesn't want to do it.- OK.
0:33:23 > 0:33:25He was like, no.
0:33:25 > 0:33:26Right, OK.
0:33:26 > 0:33:30How do you think you might have said it, to kind of sell it to them?
0:33:30 > 0:33:33There are going to be things that you're passionate about
0:33:33 > 0:33:35that I might not 100%, but you are going to be relying on me,
0:33:35 > 0:33:37as your team, as your colleague,
0:33:37 > 0:33:39to really, like, hype it up for you and support you on this.
0:33:39 > 0:33:43- Why haven't you bought into it? - I've tried, and failed.
0:33:43 > 0:33:46I find it quite hard to be false about something.
0:33:46 > 0:33:49What's false about anything that I've said there?
0:33:49 > 0:33:54I just struggle to have the same kind of reasons for doing things, as you do.
0:33:54 > 0:33:56The whole idea of the spirit of Christmas is a good idea,
0:33:56 > 0:33:59but I don't really think it's got any theology in it.
0:33:59 > 0:34:01Perhaps I need to give you a kick up the bum.
0:34:01 > 0:34:03In your own teaching, hopefully,
0:34:03 > 0:34:05I know that you are striving for that standard, right?
0:34:05 > 0:34:08Being a great teacher isn't just within the classroom.
0:34:08 > 0:34:11If you want to get that extra out of your kids,
0:34:11 > 0:34:14they have to see somewhere that passion in you. Smile!
0:34:14 > 0:34:18'I'm just puzzled by his lack of excitement.'
0:34:18 > 0:34:21I expected him to take, want to take over the reins a little bit.
0:34:21 > 0:34:25OK, come in. Put that basket in the cupboard.
0:34:25 > 0:34:28'At the moment, Charles is a teacher, standing in front of the classroom.
0:34:28 > 0:34:32'I want Charles to be Charles standing in front of the classroom teaching.'
0:34:32 > 0:34:36That's what he has to build with the pupils, for, you know,
0:34:36 > 0:34:38to get to that level, really.
0:34:44 > 0:34:46It's the morning of the pheasant shoot.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51I am going out with Zach, we're going to go beating,
0:34:51 > 0:34:54which should be fun. Which basically is walking through a forest,
0:34:54 > 0:34:57hitting trees and making noise and stuff.
0:34:58 > 0:35:02I do believe there is a link between liking your teacher
0:35:02 > 0:35:04and wanting to work for him.
0:35:04 > 0:35:07What would be great today is if, you know,
0:35:07 > 0:35:11Zach and I were able to chat, and he opened up a bit,
0:35:11 > 0:35:14and he sees a side of me that he hasn't seen in the classroom.
0:35:14 > 0:35:16I think it'd be great.
0:35:19 > 0:35:22In the end, Becky missed too much school to be allowed on the trip.
0:35:22 > 0:35:25- Hello.- Morning.- Hiya, I'm Charlene. - Hi, Charlene, nice to meet you.
0:35:25 > 0:35:27Just waiting for Zach, he's just on his way down...
0:35:27 > 0:35:30Zach's lived with his sister since his mum died six years ago.
0:35:30 > 0:35:31What are we doing?
0:35:31 > 0:35:34You'll see. We're going to be walking through forest.
0:35:34 > 0:35:37You'll see, it's quite fun. I think you'll enjoy it.
0:35:37 > 0:35:40- Is there anyone else coming? - Yeah, there'll be some other boys
0:35:40 > 0:35:41that are in Mr Heizer's class.
0:35:41 > 0:35:44- Thanks a lot, Charlene. - Right, Zach, have fun.
0:35:44 > 0:35:48- All right, I'll see you later. - Got my Ferrari parked up here.
0:35:48 > 0:35:52- Your Ferrari? - No, it's not a Ferrari, I'm afraid. HE LAUGHS
0:35:56 > 0:35:59Right, Zach, I've brought you a hat, cos I thought you should fit in.
0:35:59 > 0:36:02You brought me a hat? Oh, wow!
0:36:02 > 0:36:06Do I look a bit different from when I'm at school?
0:36:06 > 0:36:09- Yeah.- Yes, looking good.
0:36:09 > 0:36:12- You made it.- You all right?
0:36:12 > 0:36:14- You OK?- Yeah.
0:36:14 > 0:36:17The day out's organised by Harefield's Head of Science,
0:36:17 > 0:36:18and crack shot, Mr Heizer.
0:36:20 > 0:36:23We take the opportunity to bring some of the youngsters,
0:36:23 > 0:36:25and give them a real-life experience.
0:36:25 > 0:36:30A lot of them have never done it before and it's...really good...
0:36:30 > 0:36:32MAN SHOUTING
0:36:32 > 0:36:35GUNFIRE
0:36:35 > 0:36:37I got that one. It's a runner.
0:36:37 > 0:36:39And there's the dog going after it now.
0:36:45 > 0:36:47So if you see a bird, try and hit it.
0:36:47 > 0:36:51- I've got to hit it?- Yeah. Well, just try and, like, scare it.
0:36:51 > 0:36:52- GUNFIRE - That was a shot.
0:36:52 > 0:36:56- Did he get it? - I dunno. There's one.
0:36:56 > 0:36:57Off he goes. THEY SHOUT
0:36:57 > 0:37:00You've got to shout over, so that they know it's coming.
0:37:00 > 0:37:02He got it, did you see?
0:37:02 > 0:37:04Yeah, look... It hit the floor. That's sick.
0:37:04 > 0:37:07- That's so sick. - Put your stick over your shoulder.
0:37:13 > 0:37:14Now you look the part, Zach.
0:37:16 > 0:37:17'Number one, he's a boy.
0:37:17 > 0:37:21'He could really do to be on a day out, amongst men.
0:37:22 > 0:37:24'So, like, his teacher and that...'
0:37:24 > 0:37:29extra effort with him inviting him on something on his own time, got nothing to do with school.
0:37:31 > 0:37:33GUNFIRE Missed it. Ah, pathetic.
0:37:36 > 0:37:40But then again, they're new teachers, how vulnerable are they?
0:37:40 > 0:37:44I mean, they don't train policemen, give them basic training,
0:37:44 > 0:37:48and then put them out on the streets straightaway to be riot police,
0:37:48 > 0:37:50they don't do that.
0:37:50 > 0:37:54So, here we go, we train teachers, they're fresh out of university
0:37:54 > 0:37:57and they have 30 students in front of them, with no experience.
0:37:57 > 0:38:00It's not easy, it's not easy, so, yes.
0:38:00 > 0:38:02But we try to support them as much as we can,
0:38:02 > 0:38:05cos if you don't, you lose them.
0:38:05 > 0:38:07And there aren't enough good teachers.
0:38:12 > 0:38:15So, do you like school? Do you enjoy school?
0:38:15 > 0:38:16Yeah, it's all right.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19Do you like the teachers?
0:38:19 > 0:38:22- Most of 'em.- Really?- Yeah.
0:38:25 > 0:38:29- I don't like not liking people. - That's interesting. I don't either.
0:38:29 > 0:38:33- I don't like not liking people. - There's no point in having enemies.
0:38:33 > 0:38:36- Yeah, and it's hard work, isn't it? - Yeah.
0:38:36 > 0:38:38Like, when people get on my nerves, I'm just like, I'm sorry,
0:38:38 > 0:38:41- but can you just go away? I don't want to argue with you. - Yeah, I know, you always do that.
0:38:41 > 0:38:44- Yeah.- You know, I'm now angry, can you go away?- Yeah.
0:38:44 > 0:38:47I think it's quite good when you do that, cos then it's just like...
0:38:47 > 0:38:50then you just know, then it's better just not to do anything.
0:38:52 > 0:38:53- Are you going to put it in?- Yeah.
0:38:58 > 0:39:02That's my little carving, secret talent, Zach.
0:39:02 > 0:39:05- Would you have ever known?- No. - HE LAUGHS
0:39:07 > 0:39:10There we go. Go and see what Mr Heizer thinks of that.
0:39:10 > 0:39:14You're not allowed to tell anyone at school I made it for you, OK?
0:39:14 > 0:39:17- All right.- There it is.- It actually is! Does it look good, or what?
0:39:17 > 0:39:19It looks good, yeah, it does, it looks like, quite,
0:39:19 > 0:39:22it looks like, you now look like one of those sort of, like,
0:39:22 > 0:39:25funky travellers, who, like, wears like...
0:39:25 > 0:39:28GUNFIRE
0:39:33 > 0:39:36- Primary school.- Primary school!
0:39:41 > 0:39:44All right. Ah, yes, now you look the part, Zach.
0:39:44 > 0:39:46You look proper good now... This is mine.
0:39:47 > 0:39:50- He's got a halo round his head, with a sword through it.- Yeah.
0:39:50 > 0:39:53And on one side, he's got angels, and on the other side, he's got
0:39:53 > 0:39:57- demons, and they both run at each other.- Where's your dad?
0:39:57 > 0:40:00- When I was younger, my mum kicked him out.- Mm-hm.
0:40:00 > 0:40:06And then he lived in the area, but he didn't really bother with me.
0:40:06 > 0:40:10- Now he lives in Clacton.- Does he have another family, or not?
0:40:10 > 0:40:14Yeah, yeah, he's got...
0:40:14 > 0:40:19- like, a girlfriend and she has two kids.- That must be quite difficult.
0:40:23 > 0:40:24Wow.
0:40:27 > 0:40:30Does your sister care about, like, you being good in school?
0:40:30 > 0:40:32- Yeah. She hates it when I'm not good.- Really?
0:40:32 > 0:40:34- Yeah, cos she wants me to like... - Do well.
0:40:34 > 0:40:37- ..yeah, do well for myself and... - Yeah.
0:40:37 > 0:40:40- I don't...- Do you find it hard to motivate yourself?
0:40:40 > 0:40:42Yeah, I don't try as hard as what I could, in school.
0:40:42 > 0:40:45I was the same, at your age. I just wanted to have fun.
0:40:45 > 0:40:48Yeah, that's what I'm like.
0:40:48 > 0:40:50Put the back part up.
0:40:50 > 0:40:55OK, so when you look down the gun, you see the green thing, right?
0:40:55 > 0:40:59- Yeah.- So what you're going to do, as it's going away,
0:40:59 > 0:41:03you're going to put the clay about there. OK?
0:41:03 > 0:41:06- Pull.- Shoot. GUNFIRE
0:41:06 > 0:41:09Did that hurt your shoulder?
0:41:09 > 0:41:11- That kicks back. - LAUGHTER
0:41:11 > 0:41:15Good, well done. How did it feel?
0:41:15 > 0:41:17It was all right, actually.
0:41:17 > 0:41:19GUNFIRE Was that a bit better?
0:41:19 > 0:41:23- GUNFIRE - Very good.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26OK, well done.
0:41:26 > 0:41:28- All right, thank you. - Well done, sir.- Cheers.
0:41:28 > 0:41:30Well done. Good, so we'll see you next time.
0:41:30 > 0:41:31All right, thank you.
0:41:47 > 0:41:51It's 7am, on the first day of Lanfranc's mock exams.
0:41:53 > 0:41:57Right, I don't understand what makes
0:41:57 > 0:42:00the leaders of the world decide
0:42:00 > 0:42:04to put children through this stress,
0:42:04 > 0:42:07cos it is emotional stress.
0:42:09 > 0:42:11Caleb has a tutor now.
0:42:11 > 0:42:14He said he needed help, I've given him help and support.
0:42:14 > 0:42:17- That was your idea. - His response is, I'm lazy.
0:42:17 > 0:42:20That was your idea, to have a tutor.
0:42:20 > 0:42:22I didn't say, Mum, let me get a tutor.
0:42:22 > 0:42:26- What 15-year-old boy would say that? - The results will actually kick him into reality.
0:42:35 > 0:42:38- Hey. I was looking for you everywhere.- Were you?
0:42:38 > 0:42:41Yeah, to help me revise.
0:42:43 > 0:42:44While Caleb sits RE,
0:42:44 > 0:42:48Chloe's Year 11s have got Geography to contend with.
0:42:50 > 0:42:54I think it's become quite glaringly obvious, particularly over the last few weeks,
0:42:54 > 0:42:57who's prepared to put the work in, and who's not.
0:43:00 > 0:43:03I'm nervous about the future of the school.
0:43:03 > 0:43:06I think the results are going to dip this year, with our Year Elevens,
0:43:06 > 0:43:09which is demoralising for the school.
0:43:09 > 0:43:13It doesn't look good in terms of the magic five A Stars to C.
0:43:19 > 0:43:21You just have to hope that people don't get demoralised
0:43:21 > 0:43:23if our results do go down this year, and don't give up.
0:43:23 > 0:43:26It's quite an uncertain future.
0:43:41 > 0:43:42It was shit.
0:43:42 > 0:43:44This is the question that I said,
0:43:44 > 0:43:47are humans smarter than animals?
0:43:47 > 0:43:50Tell me what that has to do with God!
0:43:50 > 0:43:52I just feel asleep, what the heck.
0:43:52 > 0:43:54Why am I going to answer that foolish question?!
0:43:57 > 0:44:00How pleased do you think Miss Shaw will be with you?
0:44:00 > 0:44:04I'm not sure. It's just for her to mark first,
0:44:04 > 0:44:08and then she'll know whether to be sure, well, to be pleased with me
0:44:08 > 0:44:12or not, but I'm sure she will be, after all the work I've put in.
0:44:12 > 0:44:14What grade are you hoping to get in Geography?
0:44:14 > 0:44:18I want to get a B, B plus, or A, A minus, something like that.
0:44:18 > 0:44:20- I didn't revise. - Why didn't you revise, Bruno?
0:44:20 > 0:44:24I don't know, I forgot. And I woke up late.
0:44:24 > 0:44:26No-one can ever be ready for an exam,
0:44:26 > 0:44:29no matter how much you revise, you will not be ready for an exam.
0:44:29 > 0:44:32- That's what happened to me. - I was thinking, ah,
0:44:32 > 0:44:35look at all these lines that we have to fill up, all of these lines.
0:44:35 > 0:44:38And, you know, I just couldn't handle it.
0:44:38 > 0:44:40I remember doing a lesson where we had the maps,
0:44:40 > 0:44:42and I saw that in the exam as well.
0:44:42 > 0:44:44In that lesson, I wasn't really paying attention
0:44:44 > 0:44:47and I didn't even know what to do, so I had to skip passed that question,
0:44:47 > 0:44:49cos I wasn't understanding the part of it.
0:44:51 > 0:44:54- Do you think you're going to try and pay a bit more attention in some lessons?- Yeah, definitely.
0:45:01 > 0:45:04What would I do differently?
0:45:04 > 0:45:08I would stick to a marking timetable,
0:45:08 > 0:45:12so that my marking doesn't pile up.
0:45:12 > 0:45:15I would have been stricter
0:45:15 > 0:45:20with the kids. I would set more detentions.
0:45:20 > 0:45:26I would call more parents. I would not have stayed until 9:30
0:45:26 > 0:45:28at work, every day.
0:45:32 > 0:45:35Hindsight's a wonderful thing, isn't it?
0:45:39 > 0:45:43In case you forget your lines, but I know you won't...
0:45:43 > 0:45:45Stanza two.
0:45:45 > 0:45:48'At least I want to feel the confidence
0:45:48 > 0:45:52'and the buzz that I had when I started teaching this year.'
0:45:52 > 0:45:56WW, I'm expecting good things. Stanza four.
0:45:56 > 0:45:58A few days before the end of term,
0:45:58 > 0:46:02Meryl has rehearsed her Year Eights for a poetry reading...
0:46:02 > 0:46:05Please remember the person before you. Stanza seven.
0:46:05 > 0:46:10..determined to show the head what she's capable of with her top sets.
0:46:10 > 0:46:12She's praying for a word-perfect recital of
0:46:12 > 0:46:14Edgar Allan Poe's The Raven.
0:46:16 > 0:46:20I think the audience is ready. So, when you're ready to begin.
0:46:20 > 0:46:23"While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
0:46:23 > 0:46:26"as of someone gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door."
0:46:26 > 0:46:27"It was in a bleak December,
0:46:27 > 0:46:31"and each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor."
0:46:31 > 0:46:34"Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door.
0:46:34 > 0:46:36"This it is, and nothing more."
0:46:36 > 0:46:39"But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,
0:46:39 > 0:46:43"and so gently you came tapping, tapping, at my chamber door."
0:46:43 > 0:46:46"The stillness was unbroken, and the darkness gave no token.
0:46:46 > 0:46:49"And the only word there was was the whispered word, 'Lenore'!"
0:46:49 > 0:46:51"And my soul from out that shadow,
0:46:51 > 0:46:55"that lies floating on the floor shall be lifted nevermore!"
0:46:55 > 0:46:57APPLAUSE
0:47:03 > 0:47:05Well done, that was lovely. And imagine,
0:47:05 > 0:47:06I talked about the possibility of you doing
0:47:06 > 0:47:08a little presentation, but I didn't think
0:47:08 > 0:47:11it was going to turn into this. It's just fantastic.
0:47:11 > 0:47:13You will never forget this poem, because you've tried to learn
0:47:13 > 0:47:15sections of it, and you've acted it out.
0:47:15 > 0:47:18It's much better to remember it in this way.
0:47:18 > 0:47:21- I thought it was excellent. - APPLAUSE
0:47:21 > 0:47:23Thank you very much.
0:47:23 > 0:47:27Please retrieve your iPhones and put them away.
0:47:27 > 0:47:29'I don't know if they realise'
0:47:29 > 0:47:33how much trouble I'd get in if they didn't perform.
0:47:33 > 0:47:37'If it's bad for them, it's going to be ten times worse for me.'
0:47:37 > 0:47:41But I've really tried to take on board what people have been saying
0:47:41 > 0:47:44the past few weeks, and just think, you know what?
0:47:44 > 0:47:46I do need to smile more. I do need to give out more Meryl.
0:47:49 > 0:47:51Who can tell me the date?
0:47:51 > 0:47:54Zach, you're here, Zach. Pop yourself there.
0:47:56 > 0:47:59It's Nick's first lesson with Zach since the weekend.
0:47:59 > 0:48:02He's keen to see if the trip has had any effect on Zach's behaviour.
0:48:02 > 0:48:07Zach, what's one fifth, plus two fifths?
0:48:09 > 0:48:12Try and remember what we did, the big, the main thing we learned.
0:48:12 > 0:48:14- Zach, can you put the drink away? - It's water!
0:48:14 > 0:48:19Zach, I know that's not water, so I don't want you to drink it.
0:48:19 > 0:48:22I don't want you to drink it. Give me the drink.
0:48:23 > 0:48:25- Don't throw it in the bin. - I'll count to five, Zach.
0:48:25 > 0:48:28- Don't throw it in the bin. - Give it to me.
0:48:28 > 0:48:30- Don't throw it in the bin, though. - He'll throw it in the bin!
0:48:30 > 0:48:32- Give it to me!- Are you throwing it in the bin?
0:48:32 > 0:48:36- I'm not telling you. - I'm not giving you it.
0:48:36 > 0:48:38- You have to.- No, I don't have to. - You do.- I paid for it.
0:48:38 > 0:48:41- Just give me your drink, and then it's all over.- No, cos you'll throw it in the bin!
0:48:41 > 0:48:43I've not said I'm going to throw it in the bin.
0:48:43 > 0:48:48- Yeah, but he will.- One, two, three, OK.- If you throw it in the bin, I'll never talk to you again.
0:48:51 > 0:48:53Zach, don't do that.
0:48:53 > 0:48:57Well, if you get your drink out, when I've already thrown thingy's in the bin,
0:48:57 > 0:49:01you put me in a pretty difficult position, don't you? Cos if I was going to be really fair,
0:49:01 > 0:49:05I should've thrown yours in the bin. But I don't want to, cos it just makes it difficult.
0:49:05 > 0:49:07- Ah, thank you, see ya later. - OK, off you go.
0:49:08 > 0:49:11And now that I know him, it's now just more painful
0:49:11 > 0:49:13and frustrating to have to be authoritative.
0:49:13 > 0:49:15OK, wait here, Zach.
0:49:15 > 0:49:19'I don't really want to annoy him or make him angry, cos I like him.'
0:49:19 > 0:49:22It does pose an interesting question, as to what you do.
0:49:25 > 0:49:27- Hello, Sir. - Hello, are you all right?
0:49:27 > 0:49:29- OK, and you?- Yeah, good. - How's it going with Zach?
0:49:29 > 0:49:32He's had a bit of a downhill recently, I think.
0:49:32 > 0:49:35Sometimes he comes in, and he knows he's in a bad mood
0:49:35 > 0:49:38and he'll just be like, oh, I'm not in the mood, I'm not in the mood.
0:49:38 > 0:49:40So sometimes, it's just better just to let him do his thing,
0:49:40 > 0:49:45- cos he has his issues. - First of all, we're talking about
0:49:45 > 0:49:48a student that has to cope with rejection...
0:49:48 > 0:49:50- Yeah, yeah.- OK, massively...
0:49:50 > 0:49:53- Yeah, yeah. - So, we know the background...
0:49:53 > 0:49:57- Yeah. - Mum gone very, very early...
0:49:57 > 0:50:01- Yeah. - Dad said, this is not for me.
0:50:01 > 0:50:05You are now just becoming, and we are just becoming part of
0:50:05 > 0:50:10- the bigger picture here, which is a fly-by-night thing for him.- Yeah.
0:50:10 > 0:50:11So, it's only minimal input.
0:50:11 > 0:50:14So things like, you taking him out for a day shooting,
0:50:14 > 0:50:18- well, that's just another fly-by-night thing... - Yeah, yeah, yeah, OK.
0:50:18 > 0:50:22So, to him, it's great, live for the moment, and then it's all gone again.
0:50:22 > 0:50:25- This is an absolute golden opportunity for you...- Yeah.
0:50:25 > 0:50:29..by not doing much extra, by just showing him the interest
0:50:29 > 0:50:36- and investment you're willing to do, so now you're going to give him something that he doesn't get.- Yeah.
0:50:36 > 0:50:39- Which is time.- Yeah, yeah, OK. - Does it make sense?- Yeah, it does.
0:50:39 > 0:50:41- All right, see you later. - Cheers, see you later.
0:50:43 > 0:50:47They don't prepare you for this, not with the emotional side of things.
0:50:47 > 0:50:49That's what people find really hard.
0:50:49 > 0:50:54Everybody makes a bit of their own luck, but I've got no doubt that he's got the full package.
0:50:55 > 0:50:58Definitely. I think he can not only make it, I think
0:50:58 > 0:51:03he can make it very easily, and he can do very, very well.
0:51:08 > 0:51:11It's the end of term, which means a two-week break for the trainees.
0:51:14 > 0:51:17- Look what the class brought in! - It's my mortal enemy!
0:51:19 > 0:51:22CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:51:23 > 0:51:25Ah, thank you very much, Lucy, that's very kind of you.
0:51:25 > 0:51:28- It's from her.- Oh, it's from you. All right, thank you, Annette.
0:51:28 > 0:51:32Have a good Christmas. Goodbye, guys.
0:51:32 > 0:51:36Goodbye, Mohammed. Have a good Christmas, Zachary. Bye, Sky.
0:51:36 > 0:51:39Goodbye.
0:51:39 > 0:51:41Wow, that's a lot of presents. Give them all to me,
0:51:41 > 0:51:44I'll hand them out. I'll be your little elf.
0:51:44 > 0:51:46Write on them the names. Excellent.
0:51:46 > 0:51:48Thank you very much, Corinne,
0:51:48 > 0:51:53I'm sure they'll all love their presents. Have a good Christmas.
0:51:53 > 0:51:54Right, off I go.
0:51:58 > 0:52:01- How you doing? - About ready to go home.
0:52:01 > 0:52:04- Ready to go home now. Has it hit you now?- Sleep.
0:52:04 > 0:52:06I told you it would hit you.
0:52:06 > 0:52:09I think anyone that survives the first term has done really well.
0:52:09 > 0:52:12Most, if you're going to drop out, most people drop out the first term.
0:52:12 > 0:52:14- Who's that from?- Corinne.
0:52:14 > 0:52:17- She's in seven five.- Right.
0:52:19 > 0:52:23- So she arrived at the school only speaking French.- Aww.
0:52:23 > 0:52:26- She's very recently moved over from The Congo.- Aww. Open it.
0:52:28 > 0:52:30Can we just look at that wrapping paper,
0:52:30 > 0:52:33and just be, like, wow, that is exceptional! Ooh.
0:52:41 > 0:52:44I've done so well.
0:52:44 > 0:52:46That's good, that's a good one.
0:52:46 > 0:52:51I've done so well, although Corinne's stuck it to the packaging.
0:52:51 > 0:52:54It's OK, it's part of growing up.
0:52:54 > 0:52:57I'm really happy it's Christmas, I'm not going to lie.
0:52:57 > 0:52:59I'm looking forward to two and a half weeks off.
0:53:10 > 0:53:13For Meryl, the picture is less clear.
0:53:13 > 0:53:16The probation period is nearly over.
0:53:16 > 0:53:18Merry Christmas, Archie.
0:53:18 > 0:53:23She'll have to wait until the New Year to see if she gets through it.
0:53:23 > 0:53:26- It's Christmas!- High-five!
0:53:26 > 0:53:30Oh, my gosh, I really thought I was going to die today.
0:53:30 > 0:53:33This term has been, like, waiting for Christmas,
0:53:33 > 0:53:37or waiting for death, and I really thought death would come first.
0:53:37 > 0:53:40But it's Christmas. Merry Christmas.
0:53:40 > 0:53:42I feel amazing. I'm so happy.
0:53:42 > 0:53:45- Are you being serious? - You work so hard in here, Miss!
0:53:45 > 0:53:49'Meryl's still gotta get through this period,'
0:53:49 > 0:53:54but we came here together and, yeah, I do feel a sense of, you know, like, unity with her.
0:53:54 > 0:53:56Like, we're in it together,
0:53:56 > 0:54:01and we've, like, done our late nights together, and stuff.
0:54:01 > 0:54:03The second they were out, it was like, oh, my gosh,
0:54:03 > 0:54:05it's the end of term. It suddenly dawned on me.
0:54:05 > 0:54:06And it's, like, I cannot wait.
0:54:06 > 0:54:08Yeah, I know, that's so good, isn't it?
0:54:08 > 0:54:10'And if she goes, I'm not sure what I'll do.'
0:54:10 > 0:54:13I think it would make me ask questions as to whether I'd stay, or not.
0:54:13 > 0:54:16- Yay, we did it. - I know, it's so exciting. Meryl?
0:54:16 > 0:54:18- Yes.- Literally, we've done it!- Yes.
0:54:18 > 0:54:22Prep yourself so you can get your last two weeks...
0:54:22 > 0:54:25- Yes. We've gotta come back and nail it.- Bosh it out!
0:54:25 > 0:54:27Merry Christmas, Mr Church, and a Happy New Year!
0:54:27 > 0:54:31- Thank you so much, bye! - OK, see you later.- Yeah.
0:54:36 > 0:54:39How did this bin get full? Oh, my God.
0:54:47 > 0:54:49I'm a third of the way there.
0:54:49 > 0:54:51I can do this, come on.
0:54:52 > 0:54:56Aaron Mather's flapjacks, well, the crumbs of them.
0:54:56 > 0:54:57Did he make those for you?
0:54:57 > 0:55:01No, he made them, ate them in my class, and I confiscated them.
0:55:01 > 0:55:05But you know what? I think my mum will appreciate this.
0:55:05 > 0:55:08So, Merry Christmas, Aaron.
0:55:09 > 0:55:13There are days where I do feel like, yeah,
0:55:13 > 0:55:17I feel like the school want to fire me.
0:55:17 > 0:55:23The way that sometimes feedback has come back to me - this is bad,
0:55:23 > 0:55:27why is it bad? What are you doing that's making it bad?
0:55:27 > 0:55:30And I'm like, I'm trying. I'm here so late every day.
0:55:30 > 0:55:35But I do, despite it all, I hope I get qualified teacher status.
0:55:51 > 0:55:54- Good morning, Year Eight. - Next time...
0:55:54 > 0:55:57- Don't call out. - It's a fresh new term.
0:55:57 > 0:56:01- Girls, that's enough. - The exam season kicks off.
0:56:01 > 0:56:05I have marked your marks, and I'm concerned.
0:56:05 > 0:56:08And for some, a chance to break free from school.
0:56:08 > 0:56:10Go on, Sir, get in there.
0:56:10 > 0:56:12CHEERING