0:00:30 > 0:00:35High School follows a year in the life of Holyrood Secondary School.
0:00:35 > 0:00:37Showing the ups...
0:00:37 > 0:00:39SHE SCREAMS
0:00:39 > 0:00:40We're in!
0:00:40 > 0:00:42..and downs.
0:00:42 > 0:00:44We've split up now. LAUGHS
0:00:44 > 0:00:48- The triumphs...- Congratulations. Woo! Thank you very much. Thank you.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50..and the tears.
0:00:50 > 0:00:52They're so amazing people.
0:00:52 > 0:00:55..As they battle to keep the show on the road...
0:00:55 > 0:00:56Move, we're ready to start.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58..keep standards high...
0:00:58 > 0:01:00He continues to defy us and to truant from school.
0:01:00 > 0:01:04..and make it a successful year in one of Europe's biggest secondary schools.
0:01:04 > 0:01:08I like myself and I wouldn't want to change any bit of it.
0:01:09 > 0:01:13Holyrood Roman Catholic School is on the south side of inner-city Glasgow.
0:01:13 > 0:01:18It's the summer term, which means it's exam time
0:01:18 > 0:01:21and the pressure is on both the kids and the staff to perform.
0:01:22 > 0:01:24Girls, you need to take a wee step back.
0:01:24 > 0:01:28Today, 400 fourth years sit their vital English Standard Grades.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31You need to take a wee step back from the door and the boards,
0:01:31 > 0:01:33so it's nice and clear for people checking.
0:01:33 > 0:01:36Gillian Mimnagh was appointed deputy head at the start of the year
0:01:36 > 0:01:39and has taken on the huge task of co-ordinating the exams.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42With over 400 pupils to organise,
0:01:42 > 0:01:47she has her work cut out to make sure everything runs smoothly.
0:01:47 > 0:01:51I actually feel quite nervous, cos this is my first year doing SQA.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54I'm the SQA co-ordinator and I felt it was like my own Standard Grades again,
0:01:54 > 0:01:59cos if anything goes wrong it's, like, on my head so...
0:01:59 > 0:02:03OK, can you start to make your way in to the assembly hall?
0:02:03 > 0:02:08And as the fourth years go in, headmaster, Tom McDonald, is by their side.
0:02:08 > 0:02:10Passing English demonstrates literacy,
0:02:10 > 0:02:13gives you a passport to future employment,
0:02:13 > 0:02:19future careers and education and university, college. Come back to school to do Highers,
0:02:19 > 0:02:20so it's absolutely fundamental for them.
0:02:20 > 0:02:25Every young person should pass English before they leave school.
0:02:25 > 0:02:27Tom may think that every young person should leave Holyrood
0:02:27 > 0:02:33having passed English, but last term fourth Year Bernice was on the brink
0:02:33 > 0:02:37of being asked to leave Holyrood as she was constantly skipping school.
0:02:37 > 0:02:43I remember getting caught and I was just, whole world just collapsed.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46I was devastated as a mother.
0:02:46 > 0:02:50You know, she saw me cry with sheer frustration.
0:02:50 > 0:02:52"I don't know what else to do, Bernice."
0:02:52 > 0:02:55Bernice was given a second chance after she and her mum worked out
0:02:55 > 0:03:00a plan with Tom, who pushed her into catching up with her classmates.
0:03:00 > 0:03:04- Make sure your teacher gets those, she'll be delighted to get them. Well done.- Thank you.- Proud of you.
0:03:04 > 0:03:08Bernice spent the rest of last term attending
0:03:08 > 0:03:11and working really hard to make up for lost time.
0:03:12 > 0:03:13Oh, I feel brilliant now.
0:03:13 > 0:03:18It is not too late for Bernice, but this is, this is the crucial watershed time for her.
0:03:18 > 0:03:22Bernice was on the brink of turning things around and looked as if
0:03:22 > 0:03:27she might pass at least one exam, with English being her strongest subject.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30Non-uniform item off, please.
0:03:30 > 0:03:35It looks, though, today, as if Tom's faith in Bernice may have been in vain.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37So far, Bernice hasn't shown.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41Hopefully she'll be arriving, fairly soon, fairly soon, I hope.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43So far she hasn't shown.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48Excuse me, you'll need to take that off because it's still playing music
0:03:48 > 0:03:50and you need to hand it to me, you're not allowed it in.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53You're also wearing your tracksuit, and last time I checked
0:03:53 > 0:03:56this wasn't school uniform and you were warned about this,
0:03:56 > 0:03:58- so you won't be able to go into the exam room. - It's in the wash.
0:03:58 > 0:04:00I'm going to phone your mother
0:04:00 > 0:04:02and check that your uniform's in the wash cos I don't believe
0:04:02 > 0:04:05that your mum would send you to school in your trackies.
0:04:05 > 0:04:07Because you're in your trackies, you're not
0:04:07 > 0:04:10going into the main body of the school because this is not Holyrood.
0:04:10 > 0:04:14This is not what we wear into school. So you're going to have to sit in a different room in isolation.
0:04:14 > 0:04:18With only minutes until the exam starts,
0:04:18 > 0:04:21Bernice is still nowhere to be seen.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25So we're getting very close to time and hopefully she will arrive
0:04:25 > 0:04:26very, very soon.
0:04:26 > 0:04:30After dedicating the last half of the year fighting for Bernice
0:04:30 > 0:04:32to stay in school, Tom fears the worst,
0:04:32 > 0:04:38that Bernice's chance of leaving with qualifications is over.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41There's a few that are a wee bit late, so I don't know.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44Normally by this point everybody's in and settled.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47If Bernice doesn't arrive in the next few minutes,
0:04:47 > 0:04:49she won't be allowed to sit her English exam.
0:04:49 > 0:04:53She should be seated in number 128 but I don't see her there.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58With 30 seconds to go, Bernice appears.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02Em, I've just come in there and I'm in the assembly hall. Do you know if it's started?
0:05:04 > 0:05:06Bernice has arrived late but she's there,
0:05:06 > 0:05:09but she's there and she'll start now, so...
0:05:09 > 0:05:12I'm delighted she's here. Delighted she's here.
0:05:14 > 0:05:19Bernice has made it by the skin of her teeth but now she needs a good result.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24Last term there was fierce competition amongst
0:05:24 > 0:05:29the sixth years to get selected for the school trip to Malawi.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32Oh, I really wanted to go ever since I came to this school.
0:05:32 > 0:05:37Every year a hand-picked group of 30 kids go out to build classrooms
0:05:37 > 0:05:39and work with the local kids.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42There were only four places set aside for fifth years,
0:05:42 > 0:05:45and Lauren tried her luck at getting on the team.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48Sorry, I'm really nervous. That's why I'm pure, my throat's pure dry.
0:05:48 > 0:05:53After competing against the best of her classmates, she got the place she wanted.
0:05:53 > 0:05:55LAUGHTER
0:05:55 > 0:05:59I got through. I'm a bit overwhelmed and a bit sweaty.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03Before she heads off to Malawi at the end of term, Lauren has
0:06:03 > 0:06:08to get through her exams and she has her Higher English tomorrow.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10See, like, it's not even funny, right,
0:06:10 > 0:06:14but like my hands actually pure sweat, if I'm in an exam and I'm writing,
0:06:14 > 0:06:18I have to quickly put it down and go...and continue writing.
0:06:18 > 0:06:20Cos I just get so nervous.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23Lauren's desperate to go to university
0:06:23 > 0:06:26when she leaves school, so she needs to score high.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29I'm hoping an A for Art and an A for Drama
0:06:29 > 0:06:32and I would like a B for English and a B for Biology.
0:06:32 > 0:06:36So two As and three Bs. So I'll be really happy.
0:06:36 > 0:06:37Well, I feel nervous
0:06:37 > 0:06:41because I remember what it was like myself, so I do kind of watch,
0:06:41 > 0:06:44like, the time I'm thinking "Oh, Lauren'll be out this time and..."
0:06:44 > 0:06:46- Mum's like my best friend. - Definitely.
0:06:46 > 0:06:47MOTHER CHUCKLES
0:06:47 > 0:06:52- Take That '09. Me and my Mum, Take That '09.- Take That '09.
0:06:52 > 0:06:53THEY LAUGH
0:06:53 > 0:06:57People always talk to me about this moment when you're, like, sitting in the hall
0:06:57 > 0:06:59and you're doing the most important thing
0:06:59 > 0:07:02you'll have to face, cos it decides your future, doesn't it?
0:07:02 > 0:07:06If you don't get it, then what's the chance of you being successful when you leave school?
0:07:06 > 0:07:13I don't particularly want to be in Asda stacking the shelves. So, it is true, but!
0:07:13 > 0:07:18Lauren's sitting five Highers and needs good results
0:07:18 > 0:07:20and it all kicks off tomorrow with English.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25Back at school, though, the Standard Grade English exam is over.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29I wrote about eight or nine pages so,
0:07:29 > 0:07:32I don't know if that'll be too much, I just kept writing and writing.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34I don't know if I was rabbling or what
0:07:34 > 0:07:36but at least I got it finished in time.
0:07:36 > 0:07:40They all seem quite happy. Seem to have done well so far, so fingers crossed.
0:07:41 > 0:07:45Tom seems pleased with the fourth years but keeps Bernice behind for a talk about her latecoming.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48OK. Run late and then you get agitated and get anxious.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51- I know.- You start at half past eight, if things go late then you can
0:07:51 > 0:07:55- obviously be here still in time.- I'm going to try get a lift off my Mum as well.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57- Talk her into it.- I know.
0:07:57 > 0:08:00One down. Bernice now has six exams to go.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04# I close my eyes...#
0:08:04 > 0:08:08Last year, the school show was Oklahoma,
0:08:08 > 0:08:10but it had to be cancelled at the last minute
0:08:10 > 0:08:14because the cast didn't show up for enough rehearsals.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17This year, the Head of Music and Drama, Teri McIntosh,
0:08:17 > 0:08:20is determined that Joseph will be a smash success.
0:08:20 > 0:08:25We're looking for two Josephs, so that we can double-cast it
0:08:25 > 0:08:27and we're looking, obviously, for all the brothers
0:08:27 > 0:08:31and supporting cast, the brothers' wives, the pharaoh etc.
0:08:31 > 0:08:35So, that's what we're after tonight. Hope we can get what we're looking for.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37Auditions are already under way.
0:08:39 > 0:08:43# I close my eyes... #
0:08:43 > 0:08:47# Drew back the curtains... #
0:08:47 > 0:08:50# To see for certain... #
0:08:50 > 0:08:54# What I thought I knew... #
0:08:54 > 0:08:59There are one or two that are much lighter singers shall we say,
0:08:59 > 0:09:02than, than the others when they're on their own, it's...scary.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05# Drew back the curtains... #
0:09:05 > 0:09:10Teri is happy that she thinks she's just found one of her two Josephs.
0:09:10 > 0:09:12# What I thought I knew... #
0:09:12 > 0:09:17Fantastic! They're all good. They're all good. They're all good.
0:09:17 > 0:09:21- They're all good. - That's all right, Miss, that makes me feel really confident(!)
0:09:21 > 0:09:23You're good too!
0:09:23 > 0:09:25# And in the East... #
0:09:25 > 0:09:27Can you hear Lorna?
0:09:27 > 0:09:30# The dawn was breaking... #
0:09:30 > 0:09:33She's a star. Sorry.
0:09:33 > 0:09:35I'm last, great(!)
0:09:35 > 0:09:38So I'm just... because I'm a senior pupil,
0:09:38 > 0:09:41I have to wait until everyone goes in, everyone comes out.
0:09:41 > 0:09:46As they say, they save the best till last. I'm kidding on.
0:09:46 > 0:09:50Last term, Ross was another one of the fifth years trying to go
0:09:50 > 0:09:53to Malawi and was desperate to impress.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56It'd be a lifetime ambition for me to take on and it's really, like,
0:09:56 > 0:09:59- makes me want to strive to try and get on the team.- Yeah.
0:09:59 > 0:10:03I thought that went well.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05I thought he would maybe come over better at interview.
0:10:05 > 0:10:06I think he sold himself short.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09He got down to the last few but when it came to the crunch,
0:10:09 > 0:10:11he wasn't selected.
0:10:11 > 0:10:15Same as you. Unsuccessful. Take it on the chin and move on.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20Ross is up next and after missing out on the chance to go
0:10:20 > 0:10:25to Malawi, he's desperate to get one of the two lead roles as Joseph.
0:10:25 > 0:10:30# I close my eyes
0:10:30 > 0:10:33# Drew back the curtain...
0:10:33 > 0:10:39# To see for certain
0:10:39 > 0:10:42# What I thought I knew... #
0:10:42 > 0:10:46- OK. See you later. - Bye. See you tomorrow, Ross.
0:10:46 > 0:10:50Wah-wah-wah... Kidding on, it was good.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53We know who they are at the moment.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56It's difficult, cos we're going to have to put this list up tomorrow or the day after,
0:10:56 > 0:10:59there's going to be a lot of disappointment
0:10:59 > 0:11:01but hopefully, em, we'll get the right people.
0:11:01 > 0:11:05Auditions are going well, but as with all school shows,
0:11:05 > 0:11:11Teri will have her work cut out to actually succeed in putting on a public performance.
0:11:11 > 0:11:15# Any dream will do. #
0:11:18 > 0:11:21- You all set?- Have you got everything you need?- Last-minute nerves.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23- Good luck.- Good luck.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27It's the first exam for the fifth years,
0:11:27 > 0:11:30and Ross is on his way to face the music.
0:11:30 > 0:11:35That's my first exam out of five, so, em, it's starting to kick in now.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38As soon as I get seated down I'll be, hopefully I'll be fine.
0:11:38 > 0:11:40That's my last-minute notes.
0:11:40 > 0:11:45Lauren and her friends have also come armed with revision notes
0:11:45 > 0:11:46but some are more prepared than others.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49Look at my notes. Lauren's notes.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51LAUGHTER
0:11:51 > 0:11:53Gabber!
0:11:55 > 0:11:58- Alreet. - Try and lower your shoulders.- Right. - Roll your shoulders back.
0:11:58 > 0:12:03Miss, do you want to massage them for me cos I'm actually so tense, I'm so tense.
0:12:03 > 0:12:07- Miss, you're actually quite good at that!- I'm very good at this!
0:12:07 > 0:12:10I think Lauren flatters to deceive us all
0:12:10 > 0:12:13that she's a bit...you know, uncaring and everything else
0:12:13 > 0:12:16but there's a good brain in there
0:12:16 > 0:12:21and I think she'll really concentrate on what she's doing and apply herself.
0:12:21 > 0:12:25OK, little ones, that's it. If you're in the Assembly Hall, you start to move now.
0:12:25 > 0:12:27Good luck, girls, do well.
0:12:27 > 0:12:31Finally, it's the moment Lauren and Ross had been waiting for.
0:12:34 > 0:12:38Holyrood offers placements to 20 student teachers every year
0:12:38 > 0:12:42and Cheryl is about to take over a French class from her mentor, Mrs Coyle.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44I'll observe the class just once when I come in, find out what
0:12:44 > 0:12:47they're working on and then from then on, you notice...
0:12:47 > 0:12:50It's just like teaching, she'll give me lots of support
0:12:50 > 0:12:52and then gradually she'll start to let me do things on my own.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55She'll obviously sit at the back, she'll take notes.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58Afterwards she says, "How do you think it went?"
0:12:58 > 0:13:00I've all these great ideas, sometimes they're not practical.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03Bonjour, la classe. Ca va?
0:13:03 > 0:13:04CLASS: Oui, ca va.
0:13:04 > 0:13:06Oui, ca va, ca va super bien.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08Cheryl is coming to the end of her training
0:13:08 > 0:13:10and seems to be confident in the classroom.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13Remember, we're girls so we say "sportive, active", OK?
0:13:13 > 0:13:20The class teacher is part of, I suppose if you like, the programme for student teachers
0:13:20 > 0:13:24and what I usually do is I just jot down any comments or suggestions
0:13:24 > 0:13:27that I have to make about the student's lessons,
0:13:27 > 0:13:32so she's getting constant and regular feedback from everyday practitioners.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35Cheryl may be doing well but she has her final teaching practical
0:13:35 > 0:13:37at the end of the week which will be assessed
0:13:37 > 0:13:42and is crucial to her final employment report.
0:13:42 > 0:13:43Ah, oui. Voila. OK? OK.
0:13:43 > 0:13:47- We're playing along, we're Frenching it up. - Oui.- Right, Frenching it up.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50Back at the examination hall, the fifth years have finished.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52Is that a smile, Dominic?
0:13:52 > 0:13:55I think I done well. I was thinking, "Oh, no," but then I looked back
0:13:55 > 0:13:59at my answers and I was like, no I seem to have followed instructions and stuff and done well,
0:13:59 > 0:14:02- so I hope I've done well. Perry thinks he's done well too. - I think I've done very well.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05This is Perry's second year, so hopefully he does well.
0:14:05 > 0:14:09Aye, it was all right. Um, a few questions were a bit tricky. Apart from that, it was good.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11Hi, Miss.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13Ross and Lauren think they've done well
0:14:13 > 0:14:16but it's only the first of several exams.
0:14:17 > 0:14:22Joseph cast are now a team.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24Everyone have a seat, I'll let you know what you're doing.
0:14:24 > 0:14:28Teri has decided who is playing who in the school show
0:14:28 > 0:14:31and Ross is hoping to get one of the two Joseph parts.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33Anyone know who Jacob is in the story?
0:14:33 > 0:14:34STUDENTS: The dad.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36He's the dad of all of these brothers
0:14:36 > 0:14:39and we'd like Ross Weston to take that part. APPLAUSE
0:14:39 > 0:14:44Having failed to get to Malawi, Ross now has to deal with another disappointment.
0:14:44 > 0:14:46And the other Joseph's going to be played by Ryan.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49APPLAUSE
0:14:49 > 0:14:53Yeah, I am happy, I'm happy, that's all I can say.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56Teri may have selected her main roles,
0:14:56 > 0:15:01but pulling the show together with most of the kids having exams will be a major test.
0:15:05 > 0:15:09By the middle of term and coming towards the end of her exams,
0:15:09 > 0:15:13Bernice has decided what she wants to do if she gets the grades she needs.
0:15:13 > 0:15:18Up until a few weeks ago, I had no idea what I wanted to do.
0:15:18 > 0:15:22There was so many things out there and I just...I was lost with it all.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25I was like, "oh, I don't know what I'm going to do,"
0:15:25 > 0:15:27and Mum was, "Well, you need to make a decision.
0:15:27 > 0:15:29"You'll be leaving soon,"
0:15:29 > 0:15:33so I want to go into college to be a nursery nurse,
0:15:33 > 0:15:36if I get my qualifications, just till these exams are over.
0:15:36 > 0:15:40It's just, I'm trying to get the best possible mark that I can.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43I'm just going to do my best and see how I get on.
0:15:44 > 0:15:48Bernice will need to pass at least four of her seven standard grades
0:15:48 > 0:15:50to give her a chance of being accepted on her dream course.
0:15:59 > 0:16:04So, here's what I want to do. We're starting a lesson...
0:16:04 > 0:16:07It's the morning of Cheryl's crucial teaching assessment
0:16:07 > 0:16:11and she's working with Mrs Coyle on last-minute changes to her lesson plan.
0:16:11 > 0:16:13Hold on, after the repetition...
0:16:13 > 0:16:15Oh, after the repetition.
0:16:15 > 0:16:16..on to the speaking.
0:16:16 > 0:16:20And you remember at the start of the lesson to take in the previous night's homework?
0:16:20 > 0:16:22Ah, no, I haven't got that.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25It is a nerve-wracking experience. There's no doubt.
0:16:25 > 0:16:30It's like a young person going in to sit an exam and it's a practical exam, you know?
0:16:30 > 0:16:33It's almost as if it was deciding your future, really,
0:16:33 > 0:16:35because you know, if she doesn't get a good pass
0:16:35 > 0:16:40then she's moved down the list, so it is very important to her.
0:16:40 > 0:16:44I just hope it all goes the way I've planned it to go
0:16:44 > 0:16:47but, you know, it never does. It never, ever does.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51But that's part of it, that's why it's so sort of exciting.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54OK, can we start please, folks?
0:16:54 > 0:16:56Not a lot of time to get through a lot of things today.
0:16:56 > 0:17:00The Malawi trip is getting closer, and having each raised over £2,000,
0:17:00 > 0:17:04Tom is keen to make sure the team bonds with a late new member.
0:17:04 > 0:17:06Can we welcome Ross to the team first of all?
0:17:06 > 0:17:10Ross takes the place of Calum who had to leave school, so welcome Ross.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13- APPLAUSE - Whoo hoo!
0:17:13 > 0:17:18Em, someone dropped out of the team and there's a space left.
0:17:18 > 0:17:24I was next on the list, so Mr McDonald's asked me if I wanted to go. I jumped at it.
0:17:24 > 0:17:28The Malawi trip is a huge commitment for the kids,
0:17:28 > 0:17:32as they're expected to attend days of training, fund-raising
0:17:32 > 0:17:34and team-building before the end of term.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37So with Highers and Joseph on top of this,
0:17:37 > 0:17:41Ross now has a lot on his plate.
0:17:41 > 0:17:45It's two minutes until Cheryl has her final teaching assessment.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48The report that you get from school at the end is really important.
0:17:48 > 0:17:53It says a lot and that's what you'll be taking to people and going, "This is what people think of me".
0:17:53 > 0:17:59And also the report that your tutor gives you whilst they're watching your class,
0:17:59 > 0:18:03These are all things to, like... You keep them and they say a lot of good stuff
0:18:03 > 0:18:05for you to take to an employer.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08You can teach them the techniques, like,
0:18:08 > 0:18:12do it in this order, give out your instructions carefully.
0:18:12 > 0:18:16You can give them all the techniques,
0:18:16 > 0:18:19but see if you don't have presence in the class, it's very difficult.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22If you are not good at getting up and doing that,
0:18:22 > 0:18:27for that one lesson someone comes to see you, then you can't have it yet. This is the last one.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29Bonjour. Bonjour.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32OK. Bonjour, la classe. Ca va?
0:18:32 > 0:18:34Cheryl now has to pass the last test
0:18:34 > 0:18:39before she can become a fully qualified teacher.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42You're over here as well, would you do that now? Come on, chop-chop.
0:18:42 > 0:18:46Teri has hit a major technical problem with the school show.
0:18:46 > 0:18:50We don't have any lights at all. When they refurbished the school,
0:18:50 > 0:18:53they didn't replace the lighting systems, it's really old.
0:18:53 > 0:18:57So the guy came to have a look at it the other day, he's totally decommissioned our dimmer completely
0:18:57 > 0:19:00and unless the head teacher comes down and tells me I can have £1,200,
0:19:00 > 0:19:04I don't know how we'll do this show. I don't know how we'll do it.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07I need you up here, I can't discuss it in front of them.
0:19:07 > 0:19:11OK, sorry. You want lights? I don't understand that at all.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14- Aye, here's the basic story.- We have a crisis.- I have a major crisis.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17This is the dimmer board which has now been decommissioned
0:19:17 > 0:19:20and unless you tell me to tell Ronnie we need to spend £1,200,
0:19:20 > 0:19:22we don't have a show.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24Hmm. Can we hire one?
0:19:24 > 0:19:29No. It's a big part that needs to be put in. And that'll be our lights.
0:19:29 > 0:19:34This is Mr McDonald going to look at the lights which he knows as much as me about!
0:19:34 > 0:19:38- Watch yourself.- Can we get one? - I don't know but we need a "yes" from you.
0:19:39 > 0:19:43Crisis time. I have no option, but we'll find the money somewhere.
0:19:43 > 0:19:47- # Jacob and sons... # - Hands up. Hands up.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53Cheryl has finished her lesson
0:19:53 > 0:19:57and has her written report on how well she's done.
0:19:57 > 0:20:03She gave me all my feedback and that. A few wee pointers but she says in the grand scheme of things...
0:20:05 > 0:20:07This is amazing.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10Thank you so much.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13- Delighted.- Thank you.
0:20:13 > 0:20:17She says I have the makings of an excellent teacher.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20Which is just so nice to hear after you know...
0:20:20 > 0:20:24It's the end of your three placements and you sort of think,
0:20:24 > 0:20:26"Can I actually do this?"
0:20:26 > 0:20:31Yes. I'm just glad that I'm like, "Oh, OK, yes, I'm good at this."
0:20:31 > 0:20:34Someone who knows says that I'm good at this.
0:20:34 > 0:20:40Cos you don't want to come in and do this kind of thing and, you know, you're not.
0:20:40 > 0:20:41You'd be messing so many people up.
0:20:41 > 0:20:42PHONE RINGS
0:20:43 > 0:20:46After spending the whole day in Joseph rehearsals,
0:20:46 > 0:20:51Ross finally has time to study. But with his last exam tomorrow,
0:20:51 > 0:20:54it may be too little too late.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56Right now I'm like forcing this, just get this done
0:20:56 > 0:20:59and hope it'll have an impact for tomorrow.
0:20:59 > 0:21:03But yet again, come tomorrow I know I'll be pretty shaken, so...
0:21:03 > 0:21:06Yep, the nerves'll start kicking in.
0:21:06 > 0:21:10Ross's mum is also worried about tomorrow.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13I think he's taken on a wee bit too much with this show.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16He's got rehearsals and things for that, so he's sort of,
0:21:16 > 0:21:20"I've got rehearsals today," and he goes and I don't think he's 100% up for it the way he should be.
0:21:20 > 0:21:25I think again it's with everything he's got going on, like my mum's in hospital just now,
0:21:25 > 0:21:27he's close to my mum. So every night he's going up to the hospital.
0:21:27 > 0:21:32I say, "stay home and study," but no, every night he's going up so we'll just wait
0:21:32 > 0:21:33and see what the results are.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36If Ross can't pass any of his Highers,
0:21:36 > 0:21:38he'll have to resit them again next year
0:21:38 > 0:21:40or risk leaving school without them.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51It's the weekend and school is normally shut.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55But Teri has called an emergency rehearsal
0:21:55 > 0:21:57as she's struggling to bring Joseph together.
0:21:57 > 0:22:01One person, though, is a no-show.
0:22:01 > 0:22:08Ross Weston missing this morning? Did you see him? His phone's not working.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11A bit concerned cos Ross Weston's not here.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14Em, so that's really worrying. He was the last person I sent for yesterday,
0:22:14 > 0:22:17I gave him a reminder slip. He said he'd definitely be here.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20And he missed the rehearsal last Thursday.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24- I'm a bit upset. - Is that all right, Teri?- Lovely.
0:22:24 > 0:22:29Halfway through rehearsals, Ross finally makes an appearance.
0:22:29 > 0:22:34Although a little bleary-eyed from celebrating his last exam.
0:22:34 > 0:22:35Oh, I was out last night.
0:22:35 > 0:22:39It was a good night you know. Not too much.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42Go on this stage and exercise. Something I've not done in ages.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44A little worse for wear, Ross has made it
0:22:44 > 0:22:48but Teri has to remind him of his commitment to the show.
0:22:48 > 0:22:49Right, get on that stage.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52When somebody's off, everyone's disappointed.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54It's really hard to explain.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56Because he's part of what we're doing here, you know?
0:22:56 > 0:22:59They think he's not bothered. So it's great that he's here
0:22:59 > 0:23:02because he's clearly not 100% this morning!
0:23:02 > 0:23:06He's obviously just fallen out his bed, so I'm really glad he's here. Really glad he's here.
0:23:12 > 0:23:16It's the last week of term at Holyrood
0:23:16 > 0:23:19and the pupils breathe a sigh of relief as exams are over.
0:23:20 > 0:23:25Yay, exams are done! Extremely happy and then it'll be Malawi.
0:23:25 > 0:23:29So, it's good. I'm so excited. I'm not showing it right now
0:23:29 > 0:23:31but I'm pure trying to contain myself, that's why.
0:23:31 > 0:23:35It's Bernice's last day at school.
0:23:35 > 0:23:38Exams are over, so that's me free, at last, honestly.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41I didn't think this day would actually come.
0:23:41 > 0:23:43I've been waiting for ages to get out of school
0:23:43 > 0:23:47and now that it's here, it's just really strange actually.
0:23:47 > 0:23:48I don't want to go.
0:23:48 > 0:23:52Oh, I need to say goodbye to everybody
0:23:52 > 0:23:56and it's going to be a big change actually, I've just realised.
0:23:56 > 0:23:58Bernice, I've haven't spoken to for a couple of days now,
0:23:58 > 0:24:01so let's just hope she has success in the examinations.
0:24:01 > 0:24:05She has an ambition to do childcare at college,
0:24:05 > 0:24:09so I really hope she gets the qualifications she deserves to get.
0:24:09 > 0:24:14A lot of hard work went into Bernice and let's just hope it pays off.
0:24:22 > 0:24:26Because it's Go, Go Joseph. Go, Go Joseph. I've going to give you this, Kevin.
0:24:26 > 0:24:28It's the school show today
0:24:28 > 0:24:31and it's all hands on deck to bring it together.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34So this is our backstage crew and that's who I work with
0:24:34 > 0:24:38and we'll make sure everything's set up for the scene changes and things like that.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41Just found out there that I'm wearing a beard so.
0:24:41 > 0:24:43It looks fine, you might as well.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46- Look at this.- Positions, please. Opening positions.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49Teri has JUST managed to keep all the plates spinning.
0:24:49 > 0:24:54Fab, yeah, the kids are great, no hassles. I'm totally calm.
0:24:54 > 0:24:57MUSIC BEGINS TO PLAY
0:25:01 > 0:25:03The show gets under way
0:25:03 > 0:25:06but Teri is soon battling with technical problems.
0:25:07 > 0:25:09The lights aren't on.
0:25:10 > 0:25:12The lights aren't on.
0:25:12 > 0:25:14I need both the spots on. Put the spots on.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17Put the spots on. These lights are not working.
0:25:17 > 0:25:19They were fine before the production started.
0:25:25 > 0:25:26That's it. That's it.
0:25:29 > 0:25:33It's that connection. It is that connection.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36But things go from bad to worse for Teri
0:25:36 > 0:25:39as the radio mics start to malfunction.
0:25:40 > 0:25:42VOICE CUTS IN AND OUT
0:25:44 > 0:25:47It's happened again. I don't know what's wrong.
0:25:49 > 0:25:54The cast carry on regardless and make it to the interval.
0:25:54 > 0:25:55APPLAUSE
0:25:55 > 0:25:57Just get off. Just get off.
0:25:59 > 0:26:03Just too many errors with the sound, and the audience are missing songs
0:26:03 > 0:26:07and the kids aren't quite...on their game. Just, they're not...
0:26:07 > 0:26:10But it's the first night, opening night. So the lights cut out
0:26:10 > 0:26:13as they did this afternoon. The sound, you know, all really fuzzy
0:26:13 > 0:26:15sometimes there weren't mics working.
0:26:15 > 0:26:19That's the thing about using radio mics, sometimes they work, sometimes they don't.
0:26:19 > 0:26:23- # The dawn was breaking - # Ah-ah-ah
0:26:23 > 0:26:25- # And the world was waking...# - # Ah-ah-ah-ah...#
0:26:25 > 0:26:30Teri is on tenterhooks for the second part of the show.
0:26:30 > 0:26:32# A crash of drums A flash of light... #
0:26:32 > 0:26:35But it all starts to come together.
0:26:36 > 0:26:40# The colours faded into darkness
0:26:40 > 0:26:45# I was left alone. #
0:26:45 > 0:26:48Was it worth it? Yeah, yeah, absolutely. That's why you do the job.
0:26:48 > 0:26:51It's what it's about, for the love of the kids
0:26:51 > 0:26:55and for the fact that the kids get so much out of it. It's so worth it.
0:26:55 > 0:26:57And their mums and dads are very pleased and proud.
0:26:57 > 0:27:01They say, "Look at how my child's confidence has grown, this has helped them."
0:27:01 > 0:27:02So, yeah, that's why it's worth it.
0:27:04 > 0:27:05By the end of the show,
0:27:05 > 0:27:08the performance is a resounding success.
0:27:11 > 0:27:14APPLAUSE AND WHISTLES
0:27:14 > 0:27:16Well done.
0:27:16 > 0:27:18APPLAUSE CONTINUES
0:27:28 > 0:27:31It's D-Day for the Malawi team
0:27:31 > 0:27:33and everybody's meeting at the school gates.
0:27:33 > 0:27:35The moment of truth!
0:27:35 > 0:27:36We're all excited.
0:27:36 > 0:27:40Everybody's very, very emotional, especially parents whose sons and daughters are going on
0:27:40 > 0:27:43a 6,000 mile journey to Africa.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45Having assured them it is the warm heart of Africa,
0:27:45 > 0:27:47I will look after them as if they're my own.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50Although I feel more like grandad than dad these days.
0:27:50 > 0:27:54But certainly, very excited and we're now desperate to go.
0:27:54 > 0:27:58Only four fifth years are selected for the trip
0:27:58 > 0:28:01and leaving Scotland is beginning to hit Lauren.
0:28:01 > 0:28:04Sad, just cos I'm leaving stuff, but I'll be back so it's cool.
0:28:04 > 0:28:08I'm excited for him, but I'm sad as well, I'll miss him.
0:28:08 > 0:28:10I'll miss him but...
0:28:10 > 0:28:12I'm getting all emotional now.
0:28:13 > 0:28:17Fifth years Ross and Lauren are only 16 and 17 years old.
0:28:19 > 0:28:21I feel like such a gimp for crying.
0:28:23 > 0:28:26There's no going back for the Holyrood kids
0:28:26 > 0:28:30and Tom has done all he can to prepare them for the shock
0:28:30 > 0:28:32of visiting a third-world country.
0:28:41 > 0:28:47After 24 hours on the go, the Holyrood team have landed in Malawi...
0:28:47 > 0:28:50..but most of their bags haven't.
0:28:50 > 0:28:53Just got off the plane for Malawi Blantyre
0:28:53 > 0:28:57and half the people here have lost their case so...
0:28:57 > 0:28:59Trying to get their names taken down.
0:28:59 > 0:29:02Hopefully the cases will come in the next few days.
0:29:02 > 0:29:05It's not the start they wanted
0:29:05 > 0:29:08but Tom wants the kids to see what he has planned
0:29:08 > 0:29:09and they head straight to the primary school
0:29:09 > 0:29:13where they've promised to build a three-classroom block.
0:29:13 > 0:29:16As it's a Saturday, the school's closed for classes,
0:29:16 > 0:29:20so the team are not sure anyone will turn up for their arrival.
0:29:20 > 0:29:22I think it... Is it not just beyond this church
0:29:22 > 0:29:25or across from it? In fact, it's just down there.
0:29:25 > 0:29:28Here. Can you hear?! It's amazing!
0:29:28 > 0:29:32CHILDREN SINGING
0:29:32 > 0:29:36Some of the schoolkids have travelled miles to greet
0:29:36 > 0:29:38their Scottish visitors.
0:29:38 > 0:29:41SINGING
0:29:42 > 0:29:44Hello!
0:29:44 > 0:29:49The Holyrood team are working at a massive primary school with 4,000 kids
0:29:49 > 0:29:51and Tom has ambitious plans.
0:29:51 > 0:29:55This is the foundation. We're building a three-classroom block here.
0:29:55 > 0:29:57We've started laying some bricks over here as well,
0:29:57 > 0:30:01so by the time we go home we should be up to at least roof level,
0:30:01 > 0:30:04with three separate classrooms which should make
0:30:04 > 0:30:06a fantastic difference to young children in the CI.
0:30:06 > 0:30:10The Holyrood kids need to find their feet quickly.
0:30:11 > 0:30:12On top of all the work,
0:30:12 > 0:30:15Tom has several trips lined up
0:30:15 > 0:30:17which he hopes will stretch them as individuals
0:30:17 > 0:30:19and broaden their outlook.
0:30:20 > 0:30:24Starting with a trip to a remote local village.
0:30:26 > 0:30:30Tom's expecting the kids might be fazed by the way the locals live.
0:30:32 > 0:30:35As the kids take time to look around the village,
0:30:35 > 0:30:38they begin to realise that life is very different here.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44Oh! Look at those big, massive ones!
0:30:44 > 0:30:47Are you allowed to try a bit? Are you allowed to eat a bit?
0:30:47 > 0:30:49- Yes.- Is that OK for me to...?
0:30:49 > 0:30:50No, Lauren, don't.
0:30:50 > 0:30:54I don't really feel comfortable eating the tail cos tails scare me.
0:30:54 > 0:30:57Do you eat the claws and stuff as well? They're harmless, they're only mice.
0:30:57 > 0:31:00It's got, like, eyes and teeth and...
0:31:00 > 0:31:03Well, a pig... A pig has eyes and teeth. You'd eat a piece of bacon.
0:31:03 > 0:31:07I can see that one's facial expression when it died, it looks shocked.
0:31:07 > 0:31:11It looks like Hermione Granger when she was petrified in Harry Potter.
0:31:11 > 0:31:13LAUGHTER
0:31:13 > 0:31:16I don't think I'll try the mice, they look a wee bit disgusting.
0:31:16 > 0:31:19Sir, you need to live a little.
0:31:19 > 0:31:23So far, it seems Lauren is unaffected by Africa.
0:31:23 > 0:31:25Lauren, what would you do if you were sleeping in the night
0:31:25 > 0:31:28and I came in with this kebab like that tickling your cheek.
0:31:28 > 0:31:30I'd be physically sick.
0:31:30 > 0:31:36Lauren's taking Africa in her stride, but it's still early days.
0:31:40 > 0:31:43At the massive primary school in the centre of Blantyre,
0:31:43 > 0:31:46it's the first real day of work building the classroom block
0:31:46 > 0:31:50and the Holyrood kids are getting stuck in with the local builders.
0:31:51 > 0:31:53- Build the back row?- Yeah, yeah.
0:31:53 > 0:31:56You get the hang of it but at the same time
0:31:56 > 0:31:59you start getting tired and tired and tired.
0:31:59 > 0:32:03I mean, these guys are used to it you know, so...
0:32:03 > 0:32:05show a bit of effort.
0:32:05 > 0:32:09These bricks make it slightly harder to get a flat, straight wall. We do our best.
0:32:09 > 0:32:13They have two weeks to get the roof height.
0:32:13 > 0:32:16If it's ready, the new block will house the Primary One kids
0:32:16 > 0:32:20who are currently being taught in a huge, dark building.
0:32:24 > 0:32:27Look at this. This is the entrance block in CI.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30It's the most appalling classroom anywhere I've ever seen.
0:32:30 > 0:32:33Young children, five, six years old,
0:32:33 > 0:32:36have to endure the most absolutely
0:32:36 > 0:32:37unacceptable appalling conditions,
0:32:37 > 0:32:42crammed into horrible, dingy classrooms,
0:32:42 > 0:32:44no lights, no electricity,
0:32:44 > 0:32:47no resources at all,
0:32:47 > 0:32:52crammed in, but still very eager to learn, so we're trying to improve the facilities for them.
0:32:52 > 0:32:55These children deserve better and we'll give them better.
0:32:56 > 0:32:59Hiya. Aarggh.
0:32:59 > 0:33:03It will be a race against time to get this year's classrooms built.
0:33:06 > 0:33:07Over the last five years,
0:33:07 > 0:33:10the Holyrood team have built up an amazing rapport
0:33:10 > 0:33:12with the schools they've been helping
0:33:12 > 0:33:14and their trips make a huge difference.
0:33:14 > 0:33:18Last year, the team were inspired to build new classrooms
0:33:18 > 0:33:23for the special needs kids and their amazing teacher, John.
0:33:23 > 0:33:27This year, some of the Holyrood kids have even been hand picked
0:33:27 > 0:33:29and trained to work with him.
0:33:29 > 0:33:33They are happy. Can you see how they are working in this room because they like playing.
0:33:33 > 0:33:37As long as they are playing, they learn a lot through playing.
0:33:37 > 0:33:41Sixth year Michelle was one of the pupils trained back in Scotland
0:33:41 > 0:33:44- and now she's getting stuck in. - I'm really excited now.
0:33:44 > 0:33:46It's good that we're actually getting to do it.
0:33:46 > 0:33:48They all seem quite excited as well
0:33:48 > 0:33:52and eager cos I don't think they've ever used paint. So...excited!
0:33:52 > 0:33:55It's lovely seeing our girls working with the kids.
0:33:55 > 0:33:58Oh! Are you sitting next to me, sunshine?
0:33:58 > 0:34:01It feels really good, actually. It feels lovely, very nice.
0:34:01 > 0:34:05After a brilliant morning getting to know the kids and John,
0:34:05 > 0:34:09Gillian is feeling proud of the way the Holyrood kids are working.
0:34:09 > 0:34:12I think it's a fantastic experience for young people.
0:34:12 > 0:34:14I think it's hugely important.
0:34:14 > 0:34:17I just think it's dead, dead rewarding and things like that.
0:34:17 > 0:34:18Sorry.
0:34:27 > 0:34:31The experience of working with kids with such complex difficulties in Africa,
0:34:31 > 0:34:34is proving a big challenge for Gillian.
0:34:35 > 0:34:39I think it... I don't like actually getting upset cos I don't think
0:34:39 > 0:34:42it's fair to get upset but it's just it's a real eye opener
0:34:42 > 0:34:45cos my mum and my sister both work in special education.
0:34:45 > 0:34:49You see how much those children have in those schools
0:34:49 > 0:34:52and then you come here and they've got nothing
0:34:52 > 0:34:54and I just think life's hard enough
0:34:54 > 0:34:57but they're so happy and the guy, John, is so good.
0:34:57 > 0:34:59I mean, like, our kids are amazing, you know?
0:34:59 > 0:35:02And they're just getting there and they're so positive.
0:35:02 > 0:35:06We're just proud of them doing that and working with the kids so well, and things like that.
0:35:06 > 0:35:08It was so nice to see them all so happy
0:35:08 > 0:35:11and doing something different and absolutely loving it,
0:35:11 > 0:35:13it was just so nice. It was really good. I'm actually cheesered,
0:35:13 > 0:35:17I can't explain how good it was.
0:35:17 > 0:35:21Not satisfied with helping John or the building project,
0:35:21 > 0:35:25Tom has also promised to renovate six classrooms as well,
0:35:25 > 0:35:28so the Holyrood team are under pressure from day one.
0:35:30 > 0:35:33It's hard, but it's going well. It's not hard the way...
0:35:33 > 0:35:35I thought the building bit would be much harder.
0:35:35 > 0:35:37But that's probably because I've not been building yet.
0:35:37 > 0:35:40But to do with the kids, that's hard cos like they're so clingy
0:35:40 > 0:35:44and they're just standing there while we're doing this in total, like, fascination.
0:35:44 > 0:35:48You can pure tell they're already appreciating it. So, when you have them look at you like that,
0:35:48 > 0:35:53it's making you work faster cos you want to get it done for them.
0:35:53 > 0:35:56Much to everyone's delight back at base,
0:35:56 > 0:35:58the missing bags have arrived.
0:35:58 > 0:36:00My baby!
0:36:00 > 0:36:02Ahhh!
0:36:02 > 0:36:05THEY SCREAM WITH DELIGHT
0:36:07 > 0:36:11The kids are all settling in and getting used to life in Africa...
0:36:11 > 0:36:14- Outside our room there's massive spiders.- Massive things. Tarantulas, basically.
0:36:14 > 0:36:18..and today's painting has left a lasting impression on Lauren.
0:36:18 > 0:36:21Look, going to look at this, but. I genuinely need to go out like that.
0:36:21 > 0:36:24There's probably going to be pictures took, right?
0:36:24 > 0:36:26I look like a bloody... Like a demented smurf.
0:36:29 > 0:36:31The Holyrood kids are slowly getting used
0:36:31 > 0:36:33to living and working in Malawi
0:36:33 > 0:36:36which is good, as Tom intends to test them more and more
0:36:36 > 0:36:39over the next week and a half.
0:36:44 > 0:36:46Malawi has few natural resources
0:36:46 > 0:36:49and is one of the poorest countries in the world.
0:36:49 > 0:36:51Many see education as the best hope
0:36:51 > 0:36:54of alleviating the poverty in the country
0:36:54 > 0:36:56and most schools attract kids
0:36:56 > 0:37:00by giving out one cup of fortified porridge a day for kids that attend.
0:37:00 > 0:37:04This food is vital and sometimes the only meal the child will get.
0:37:04 > 0:37:08That is, if they have anything to collect the porridge with.
0:37:10 > 0:37:11In the middle of the first week,
0:37:11 > 0:37:15the Holyrood team have found some of the special needs kids
0:37:15 > 0:37:18sitting on the ground, locked out of their classroom.
0:37:18 > 0:37:20Just now what's happened is John,
0:37:20 > 0:37:23who's the special needs teacher and the only one in this school,
0:37:23 > 0:37:26and he's not in today and wasn't in yesterday and we've just found out
0:37:26 > 0:37:28that he's not going to be back until Wednesday,
0:37:28 > 0:37:32but we're thinking, like, some of the kids have come
0:37:32 > 0:37:34because they're obviously wanting...
0:37:34 > 0:37:36They come to school for their meals, so we're just going to...
0:37:36 > 0:37:38We're going to just ask Nelly, the head teacher,
0:37:38 > 0:37:40if we can teach them today.
0:37:40 > 0:37:44Seeing the special needs kids left outside has brought home
0:37:44 > 0:37:47the scale of the problems in Africa to Michelle.
0:37:47 > 0:37:51The fact that they're here just shows how much they're desperate for food
0:37:51 > 0:37:54and desperate for, like, some form of learning.
0:37:54 > 0:37:57Och, I don't know. It's really upsetting cos it's a shame thinking
0:37:57 > 0:38:00that they're so desperate that they come to school for food.
0:38:01 > 0:38:04Tom is angry that John has been called away
0:38:04 > 0:38:07and the special needs kids have been left on the ground.
0:38:07 > 0:38:11I need... I need, I need John in here. I need John back in here.
0:38:11 > 0:38:12'Eh, what I've found out...'
0:38:12 > 0:38:15John, apparently, has been called away unexpectedly
0:38:15 > 0:38:17to do exam supervision at different parts of the area,
0:38:17 > 0:38:20so I've actually said I'm disappointed,
0:38:20 > 0:38:23we work so closely with John, we love the special needs children.
0:38:23 > 0:38:25We've built a classroom for them, John's not here.
0:38:25 > 0:38:28The children can't come to school - that's really disappointing,
0:38:28 > 0:38:30so I've asked for him to be sent back again.
0:38:30 > 0:38:32So, I hope that will happen now.
0:38:32 > 0:38:35OK, I'll be about ten minutes, OK.
0:38:35 > 0:38:37Tom is determined to use all his influence and contacts
0:38:37 > 0:38:39to get John back.
0:38:39 > 0:38:43But only time will tell if he's going to be successful.
0:38:43 > 0:38:46After several days eating basic food,
0:38:46 > 0:38:48all the kids are given a treat
0:38:48 > 0:38:50visiting the only supermarket in the city.
0:38:50 > 0:38:53It seems sugar is a high priority.
0:38:53 > 0:38:57This is the first time the kids have had, like, sweeties
0:38:57 > 0:39:00and chocolate for, like, four days, so, you know, they're so excited.
0:39:00 > 0:39:03Honestly, I've actually not seen them this excited
0:39:03 > 0:39:06since they found out they were going to Malawi, practically, honestly.
0:39:06 > 0:39:08So it's going to be like Supermarket Sweep.
0:39:08 > 0:39:12- Racing through, lots of Coca-Cola and chocolate.- What are you going to get?
0:39:12 > 0:39:15Lots of Coca-Cola and chocolate. SHE LAUGHS
0:39:15 > 0:39:17Enough crisps to do me till next week.
0:39:17 > 0:39:20Doughnuts. They're so good. It was only, like, 90p or something.
0:39:20 > 0:39:23I've got these.
0:39:23 > 0:39:26- I'm eating Rab's Jungle Nuts. - SHE LAUGHS
0:39:26 > 0:39:29- Rab's king-size nuts. - And they're lovely. - SHE LAUGHS
0:39:29 > 0:39:31The kids may be stocking up,
0:39:31 > 0:39:33but some of the boys couldn't help noticing
0:39:33 > 0:39:35that there were cups on sale
0:39:35 > 0:39:37and have diverted some of their own money.
0:39:37 > 0:39:40Eh, I bought some cups for the little kids.
0:39:40 > 0:39:44It was only, like, 500 kwacha, or something like that.
0:39:44 > 0:39:47If you see somebody starving, give them a cup, basically.
0:39:47 > 0:39:49Kieron and Mike have 30 cups to give out tomorrow,
0:39:49 > 0:39:53for kids at the school who don't have one to collect their porridge.
0:39:53 > 0:39:56The rest of the Holyrood pupils seem satisfied
0:39:56 > 0:39:58with their little taste of home.
0:39:58 > 0:39:59Doughnuts...
0:39:59 > 0:40:02Crisps...
0:40:02 > 0:40:04Toblerone, Crunch, Kinder...
0:40:04 > 0:40:07Chicken... It was like an African chicken Pot Noodle.
0:40:07 > 0:40:09It probably won't even be that nice,
0:40:09 > 0:40:12but I'm not even kidding, I could, like, eat a horse right now.
0:40:12 > 0:40:13Want a bit?
0:40:15 > 0:40:17Towards the end of the first week,
0:40:17 > 0:40:20the classroom build is still going according to plan.
0:40:20 > 0:40:22It's going well, um...
0:40:22 > 0:40:24As you can see, it's just slowly building up now.
0:40:24 > 0:40:29Mr McDonald says that we've got the most done in the... Like...
0:40:29 > 0:40:30Ever.
0:40:30 > 0:40:33The porridge programme was started by a Scottish charity
0:40:33 > 0:40:37called Mary's Meals and feeds all 4,000 kids -
0:40:37 > 0:40:42that is, if they have a cup to collect their food.
0:40:42 > 0:40:45Kieron and Mike have brought their cups to the build
0:40:45 > 0:40:47and have already handed three out
0:40:47 > 0:40:49which have all ended up in one boy's bag.
0:40:49 > 0:40:53I looked inside his bag and he's got three or four sitting inside his bag,
0:40:53 > 0:40:56so they're obviously desperate for them and they're just trying
0:40:56 > 0:40:58any sort of method to get it.
0:40:58 > 0:41:01Struggling to find the best way to help,
0:41:01 > 0:41:04Kieron and Mike have turned to a teacher.
0:41:07 > 0:41:11Tom is keen to see whether special needs teacher John,
0:41:11 > 0:41:13has been brought back, as he'd asked.
0:41:13 > 0:41:14Hello.
0:41:14 > 0:41:19Tom's hoping that it's good news down at the special needs block.
0:41:19 > 0:41:21Good to see you.
0:41:21 > 0:41:25And it is, as John has been specially recalled.
0:41:25 > 0:41:28- It was why we had to have you back here.- Yeah! That's good. - JOHN LAUGHS
0:41:28 > 0:41:32- That was not acceptable, John(!) Wasn't acceptable, no.- Yeah, yeah.
0:41:33 > 0:41:37Mike and Kieron are still trying to communicate
0:41:37 > 0:41:40that they have 27 cups left to give away.
0:41:40 > 0:41:45Put your hand up... If you don't have a cup, put your hand up.
0:41:48 > 0:41:53It seems at first a good idea, but there are many more hands than cups.
0:42:04 > 0:42:06There's too many in the class, so the teacher's picking out
0:42:06 > 0:42:08all the girls cos he says they won't lose them.
0:42:08 > 0:42:10So, we're going for the girls
0:42:11 > 0:42:14Eh, we thought it was just a few people,
0:42:14 > 0:42:16but half the class put their hand up.
0:42:16 > 0:42:20Worried that the cups will be taken from the girls
0:42:20 > 0:42:22by other members of the class,
0:42:22 > 0:42:25Kieron and Mike take them to give them out in private.
0:42:25 > 0:42:28Right, are we going to go? No, not you, just the girls.
0:42:28 > 0:42:32Just the girls, just the 27 girls.
0:42:33 > 0:42:39But word has already spread, and a crowd has started to form.
0:42:40 > 0:42:42Line up.
0:42:46 > 0:42:48Is that it? That's it.
0:42:48 > 0:42:50Go.
0:42:50 > 0:42:51Go.
0:42:51 > 0:42:52Go away.
0:42:55 > 0:42:57Michael?
0:43:02 > 0:43:04It's nice, but at the same time, it's like...
0:43:04 > 0:43:06You want to give everyone one.
0:43:06 > 0:43:09I don't think me and Kieron were expecting that many.
0:43:09 > 0:43:11It's quite hard to try and say,
0:43:11 > 0:43:13"No, you're not getting one," but...
0:43:13 > 0:43:19You give a quarter of one class a cup and then there's another 30 classes.
0:43:19 > 0:43:21We thought 30 cups would feed most people,
0:43:21 > 0:43:24it'd just be a few that had lost them, but it wasn't.
0:43:24 > 0:43:26It's more than half of every single class in the whole school.
0:43:26 > 0:43:28So that's about 2,000 who don't have a cup.
0:43:28 > 0:43:32Shows how desperate they are, how much they need it.
0:43:33 > 0:43:36The Holyrood kids are all beginning to realise
0:43:36 > 0:43:38the scale of the poverty that they are dealing with,
0:43:38 > 0:43:41and the difficulty of actually helping on the ground.
0:43:46 > 0:43:49By the start of the second week in Malawi,
0:43:49 > 0:43:51Tom thinks the group are ready to face
0:43:51 > 0:43:53their biggest emotional challenge.
0:43:53 > 0:43:56Going out to an under-six centre, a nursery centre,
0:43:56 > 0:44:03to see babies, toddlers who's suffering the effects of malnutrition.
0:44:03 > 0:44:05Some also are HIV positive.
0:44:05 > 0:44:07Some won't survive.
0:44:08 > 0:44:15We could come here and simply build and paint and so on
0:44:15 > 0:44:18but part of the... I suppose, the programme I have for them
0:44:18 > 0:44:21is that they develop an understanding.
0:44:21 > 0:44:22It will upset them to some extent,
0:44:22 > 0:44:26but I think that's a consequence of just becoming aware
0:44:26 > 0:44:30of the gap between our life and their life
0:44:30 > 0:44:33and how they can actually make a difference to closing that gap,
0:44:33 > 0:44:35even just by a little bit.
0:44:39 > 0:44:43It's only a short visit,
0:44:43 > 0:44:45but it's enough time to get to know a few kids
0:44:45 > 0:44:48and see how the feeding centres work.
0:44:50 > 0:44:51All the Holyrood kids are getting stuck in
0:44:51 > 0:44:55and they're doling out as much attention and love as they can.
0:44:55 > 0:44:58Some of these kids have got HIV and AIDS and stuff like that,
0:44:58 > 0:45:01and you can kind of tell the ones that do
0:45:01 > 0:45:03cos they're not nearly as happy as the other ones.
0:45:07 > 0:45:12It's hard, but all the kids seem to be happy and that's...
0:45:12 > 0:45:14That's the most important thing, you know?
0:45:14 > 0:45:17That's the only thing that matters. If they're happy, then...
0:45:17 > 0:45:20so should we, we should be happy for them.
0:45:21 > 0:45:25It's just, like... They're just, like, packed with so much love.
0:45:25 > 0:45:30They're just so bouncy and smiley and they just want to be cuddled.
0:45:37 > 0:45:38I feel like actual crap.
0:45:41 > 0:45:42It's just such a shame for them.
0:45:42 > 0:45:45Cos, like, half of them are orphans and everything
0:45:45 > 0:45:47and it's just horrible.
0:45:49 > 0:45:51It's just so different from the way we live
0:45:51 > 0:45:54and it's horrible to think... Like, I'll go in a mood with my mum
0:45:54 > 0:45:57if she doesn't do something for me and, like,
0:45:57 > 0:46:00half of them probably don't even have mums and dads
0:46:00 > 0:46:03and it's just, you just feel, like, horrible... I just feel horrible.
0:46:03 > 0:46:05I just feel like crap.
0:46:05 > 0:46:08Bye-bye. Bye!
0:46:10 > 0:46:13It's been a challenging experience for all the Holyrood kids.
0:46:14 > 0:46:17Just really sad.
0:46:23 > 0:46:27OK, let's go. You guys want to jump on?
0:46:27 > 0:46:30The orphanage visit has had the impact that Tom hoped
0:46:30 > 0:46:33and later in the week, he has another trip planned,
0:46:33 > 0:46:36which he hopes will now lift their spirits.
0:46:38 > 0:46:41Back home, pupils across the country
0:46:41 > 0:46:43have been waiting anxiously for their exam results.
0:46:46 > 0:46:47Mum?
0:46:47 > 0:46:50- Yeah.- Is there tea made, no?- Uh-huh.
0:46:50 > 0:46:53And today's the day Bernice will find out
0:46:53 > 0:46:56if she has passed the four Standard Grades she needs
0:46:56 > 0:46:59to get the place in college she desperately wants.
0:46:59 > 0:47:02I don't have any idea about exam results.
0:47:02 > 0:47:05I've been waiting for ages, it feels like,
0:47:05 > 0:47:09and I'm quite nervous, actually. SHE LAUGHS NERVOUSLY
0:47:09 > 0:47:14Bernice's Mum is desperate to find out if she's managed to pass
0:47:14 > 0:47:16any of the seven Standard Grades she sat.
0:47:16 > 0:47:19It's quite scary, isn't it?
0:47:22 > 0:47:27I think she sat seven, so if she even got one or two, you know?
0:47:27 > 0:47:29I'd be delighted.
0:47:31 > 0:47:34Especially after everything, you know, that she went through
0:47:34 > 0:47:38at the beginning, trying to get to this stage.
0:47:38 > 0:47:40As along as she...
0:47:42 > 0:47:44..gets something.
0:47:48 > 0:47:50LID CLANGS
0:47:52 > 0:47:56In Malawi, the team have been struck down by a sickness bug
0:47:56 > 0:47:59with five days to go before they leave.
0:47:59 > 0:48:01Ross, can I come in?
0:48:02 > 0:48:05- Have you been sick? - I was last night.- Right.
0:48:05 > 0:48:08Everyone else is getting bugs and stuff like that.
0:48:10 > 0:48:15But me, Kieron and Chris - we're all fine, but.
0:48:16 > 0:48:17I've stopped feeling too good.
0:48:17 > 0:48:21Like, my stomach's not happy with me.
0:48:23 > 0:48:25And I feel really weak and down.
0:48:25 > 0:48:28Well, I'll just get a shower, then after that see how...
0:48:28 > 0:48:30See how things are from there on.
0:48:33 > 0:48:36It's the moment that will shape Bernice's future.
0:48:36 > 0:48:39After nearly dropping out of school,
0:48:39 > 0:48:43she's hoping she's turned her chances around at the last minute.
0:48:45 > 0:48:48- It's all right. - Is it? Is it good, Bernice?- Aye.
0:48:48 > 0:48:49Right, tell us, what is it?
0:48:51 > 0:48:55- I passed, anyway.- What did you pass? Seven passes?- That's brilliant. - SHE LAUGHS
0:48:55 > 0:48:58Oh, so proud of you.
0:48:58 > 0:49:00Bernice's Mum is shocked and proud
0:49:00 > 0:49:03that she's managed to pass all seven exams,
0:49:03 > 0:49:06including a Band Two for her English.
0:49:06 > 0:49:10That is an achievement, darling. That's fantastic.
0:49:10 > 0:49:15- I'm so proud of you. - That's mad, isn't it?- Oh, wow!
0:49:16 > 0:49:17Oh...
0:49:19 > 0:49:21I'm really proud of her.
0:49:21 > 0:49:23To think...
0:49:24 > 0:49:30..em...the struggle that we had at the beginning,
0:49:30 > 0:49:33she's actually came a long, long way
0:49:33 > 0:49:38and it really goes to show, you can turn your life around.
0:49:38 > 0:49:42I think one of the best days of my life.
0:49:43 > 0:49:47Mr McDonald has helped me a lot.
0:49:47 > 0:49:51He pushed me to come to school when I was feeling at my lowest,
0:49:51 > 0:49:56he was like, "There's no point in letting yourself down.
0:49:56 > 0:49:59"Just come in and show us what you can do,"
0:49:59 > 0:50:02and I think that's what I really needed.
0:50:04 > 0:50:08The kids in Malawi are not allowed contact with the UK
0:50:08 > 0:50:10and will get their results after they get home.
0:50:10 > 0:50:14The build, though, is getting an "A" grade so far.
0:50:14 > 0:50:16I'm absolutely delighted, you know, this is...
0:50:16 > 0:50:19I think the progress is remarkable this year -
0:50:19 > 0:50:23to have got to this level of window height is absolutely remarkable, so, absolutely delighted.
0:50:23 > 0:50:26Delighted with the progress so far.
0:50:29 > 0:50:34Tom is keen that the Holyrood kids see charity work at the front line
0:50:34 > 0:50:37and all the team have downed tools
0:50:37 > 0:50:40and travelled to a remote rural school.
0:50:40 > 0:50:42TEACHER CALLS OUT IN LOCAL DIALECT
0:50:45 > 0:50:49No-one at the African school knows why the team have arrived.
0:50:49 > 0:50:51They've no idea what's going to happen today.
0:50:51 > 0:50:54They know we're here, but they don't know why we're here.
0:50:54 > 0:50:57We're going to explain to them they're going to have the gift of a backpack.
0:50:57 > 0:50:59It's actually really heavy.
0:50:59 > 0:51:03Back in Glasgow, many schools collect backpacks
0:51:03 > 0:51:06and fill them with things the kids in Africa might need,
0:51:06 > 0:51:08and, although they don't know it,
0:51:08 > 0:51:13every child at the school is due to get a backpack today.
0:51:13 > 0:51:16Even after five years of working in Malawi,
0:51:16 > 0:51:20Tom is shocked at the state of the under-fives' classroom.
0:51:20 > 0:51:23This is a byre for cows, not for children.
0:51:23 > 0:51:26How you can learn and teach in this, I just...
0:51:26 > 0:51:28It beggars belief. This is just awful. It's awful.
0:51:28 > 0:51:32It's young children, it's vulnerable children - to come here
0:51:32 > 0:51:36and have to tolerate this every day, it's just absolutely dreadful.
0:51:36 > 0:51:38Absolutely dreadful. I'm glad we're here
0:51:38 > 0:51:41and we're here to make a difference to these children,
0:51:41 > 0:51:46but it's appalling what they have to suffer in life isn't it? Appalling.
0:51:46 > 0:51:48TEACHER CALLS OUT IN LOCAL DIALECT
0:51:48 > 0:51:51CHILDREN SHOUT IN REPLY
0:51:53 > 0:51:56Still not sure of why the Holyrood team are there,
0:51:56 > 0:51:59the infants are asked to hold up their own school bags.
0:51:59 > 0:52:02This is the bags they currently come to school with.
0:52:02 > 0:52:05Mostly bits of plastic they come to school with.
0:52:05 > 0:52:07Some, absolutely nothing whatsoever.
0:52:08 > 0:52:11Some with their porridge cup and nothing more.
0:52:15 > 0:52:19In another classroom, Gillian's team is getting ready
0:52:19 > 0:52:22to reveal to the children why they are really there.
0:52:22 > 0:52:25We're just getting ready to give them out now.
0:52:25 > 0:52:29They're all nice and quiet with expectation, it's lovely.
0:52:29 > 0:52:31THEY GIGGLE
0:52:31 > 0:52:33Five...
0:52:33 > 0:52:35..four...three.
0:52:35 > 0:52:39THE CHILDREN CHATTER EXCITEDLY
0:52:47 > 0:52:50It's amazing, honestly. It's like...
0:52:50 > 0:52:53A lot of schools do backpack appeals and stuff like that,
0:52:53 > 0:52:55and we've done one.
0:52:55 > 0:52:58And it's just... Their reaction's just amazing. It's fantastic.
0:53:03 > 0:53:05Unbelievable! They're so happy.
0:53:05 > 0:53:09And, like, we're never this happy at school, it's amazing!
0:53:09 > 0:53:14One of the girls keeps taking everything out and putting it all back in and taking it all out again.
0:53:14 > 0:53:16It's mental. CHILDREN SING
0:53:21 > 0:53:25I've never seen happier children ever in my life.
0:53:25 > 0:53:27I've often said it's a bit like Christmas Day -
0:53:27 > 0:53:28that's away beyond Christmas Day.
0:53:28 > 0:53:32Christmas Day at home is children with a lot of things getting more.
0:53:32 > 0:53:35That's children with nothing getting some basic things
0:53:35 > 0:53:38we're casting off back in Glasgow, back in Scotland.
0:53:38 > 0:53:39So moving.
0:53:41 > 0:53:43CHILDREN CHANT AND SING
0:53:47 > 0:53:50It's nearly time to go home for the Holyrood kids
0:53:50 > 0:53:53and they're rushing to finish all the classroom renovation,
0:53:53 > 0:53:55including Ross, who is feeling better.
0:53:55 > 0:53:59Although it's, like, everything's coming on well,
0:53:59 > 0:54:00it's just, we want to get it finished
0:54:00 > 0:54:04and just have that feeling that we've done our job, you know?
0:54:04 > 0:54:06- I'll come and find you, OK? - Yes.- Stay here.
0:54:06 > 0:54:09As it's the last day, some of the Holyrood team
0:54:09 > 0:54:12have been trying to give away their things to the African kids.
0:54:12 > 0:54:15My mum gave me loads of football strips to bring over,
0:54:15 > 0:54:17so I'm going to give them to the kids, but it's really awkward
0:54:17 > 0:54:19because, you know, if you take out a bag
0:54:19 > 0:54:22and you start giving all them out, they're all pick... Jump on you
0:54:22 > 0:54:24and take it off you, so you have to be really discreet.
0:54:24 > 0:54:28Cos, like, you can see they're all watching us. Most awkward.
0:54:29 > 0:54:33Disaster has struck, though,
0:54:33 > 0:54:37as one girl has been bullied after being given a hat.
0:54:37 > 0:54:39Wee boys were dragging her along the ground and all that,
0:54:39 > 0:54:42and she got hurt. She doesn't have her school bag or anything,
0:54:42 > 0:54:44so I'm going to go in and give her some stuff,
0:54:44 > 0:54:46while I can do it the now, cos everyone's away.
0:54:46 > 0:54:48But hopefully these wee girls don't come up,
0:54:48 > 0:54:51cos I'm not giving them anything, I just want to get her.
0:54:51 > 0:54:56Lauren has decided to take the little girl under her wing.
0:54:56 > 0:54:58Laura, have you got a plaster?
0:54:58 > 0:55:00A plaster?
0:55:00 > 0:55:02Do you want me to put a plaster on?
0:55:02 > 0:55:05I was just wearing a hat that I wanted to get rid of and I saw her on her own.
0:55:05 > 0:55:06She started smiling and talking to me,
0:55:06 > 0:55:09so I just put it on her and walked away.
0:55:09 > 0:55:11Got back in the classroom and I saw people running towards her.
0:55:11 > 0:55:14I didn't expect that, and now she's up here, cut.
0:55:14 > 0:55:18Initially, Lauren looked as if she was taking Africa in her stride
0:55:18 > 0:55:22but have the last two weeks really had an impact?
0:55:22 > 0:55:27It hasn't hit me, well, it has hit me but it took quite a while for it to hit me.
0:55:27 > 0:55:29But it's when you get people like Irene, here, who's just...
0:55:29 > 0:55:33She doesn't say anything, she's not got a school bag,
0:55:33 > 0:55:36she's got a dirty container for her food. She's all dirty, she...
0:55:36 > 0:55:38Look at her feet - she has to walk about out there
0:55:38 > 0:55:40where there's things coming out the ground,
0:55:40 > 0:55:43and she's probably only about five years old or something.
0:55:43 > 0:55:45She's just...
0:55:45 > 0:55:47so fragile.
0:55:49 > 0:55:52All the kids are rushing to finish their projects
0:55:52 > 0:55:55and say goodbye to the friends they've made.
0:56:03 > 0:56:06The education, some people say, is what you...
0:56:06 > 0:56:09It's what's left over when you forget all you've learned in school.
0:56:09 > 0:56:11Education is the person you become, the qualities you have.
0:56:11 > 0:56:15Education is about this whole life experience
0:56:15 > 0:56:18and coming to Africa from, basically, your own environment
0:56:18 > 0:56:21and seeing things that you would never ever, ever be able
0:56:21 > 0:56:23to experience anywhere in your own country,
0:56:23 > 0:56:27will change people for life and our young people will go back, I think,
0:56:27 > 0:56:31better prepared for life and much more determined, I think,
0:56:31 > 0:56:34just to see that they themselves can contribute towards society
0:56:34 > 0:56:36locally and globally
0:56:36 > 0:56:40and to boost the gap between, poverty and wealth and, I think,
0:56:40 > 0:56:43I'm confident my young people will most certainly go back home
0:56:43 > 0:56:46with a great, great, determination towards making a difference.
0:56:50 > 0:56:54With six classrooms renovated and the build much further on
0:56:54 > 0:57:01than Tom ever hoped, the trip to Malawi has been a huge success.
0:57:01 > 0:57:04Once you come and see it, it's totally different from any
0:57:04 > 0:57:07perception I had about Malawi before.
0:57:07 > 0:57:11It's really changed me as a person because now I know I'll go back,
0:57:11 > 0:57:15I'll spread the word, you know? And hopefully make a difference.
0:57:27 > 0:57:29MUSIC: "Growing Up Together" by Paolo Nutini
0:57:29 > 0:57:32# Sitting beside you in school
0:57:32 > 0:57:35# While we'd paint I'd make you laugh
0:57:35 > 0:57:37# Mine's was never very good
0:57:37 > 0:57:40# Yours looked exactly Like your photograph
0:57:40 > 0:57:42# Looks like I'm growing
0:57:42 > 0:57:47# I'm growing up beside you
0:57:50 > 0:57:52# I don't always get the way you feel
0:57:52 > 0:57:55# But now I've learned To live with that
0:57:55 > 0:57:57# It's like I'm a part Of something real
0:57:57 > 0:58:00# I was hitting the bottle Now I've broke the seal
0:58:00 > 0:58:02# Looks like I'm growing
0:58:02 > 0:58:07# I'm growing up beside you
0:58:09 > 0:58:16# Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh. #
0:58:16 > 0:58:17GIRL LAUGHS
0:58:17 > 0:58:20Behave yourself. Enjoy your weekend, too.
0:58:20 > 0:58:25# Ooh, ooh-ooh
0:58:25 > 0:58:29# Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh.
0:58:40 > 0:58:43Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd