Educating Yorkshire

With a student population that is almost exactly half white-British and half British-Asian, Thornhill Academy near Dewsbury offers a fascinating insight into school life in the UK

A clash between the queen bee of the 'cool group' and a member of the quieter crowd presents headmaster Mr Mitchell with difficult decisions about who needs to be dealt with and how

Tom is approaching his final year at Thornhill while Robbie-Joe is starting out. Both are bursting with energy and charm, but neither of them is particularly interested in learning.

Hadiqa and Safiyyah are unlikely best friends. Safiyyah dreams of becoming an air hostess while Hadiqa wants to be prime minister. But as exams approach, a crisis looms in their friendship.

Everything changes in Year 9. It's full of hormonal 13-year-olds and is a critical academic turning point as the students choose their options for GCSE

Exams are approaching at Thornhill and it's not just the students that are feeling the pressure. From deputy head Mr Steer to new teachers, everyone is feeling the demands of the targets.

Jack loves history but is disruptive, and the school staff are worried that he may become Mr Mitchell's first ever permanent exclusion. Can Jack and his teachers turn around his behaviour?

It's the final months of school and the Year 11 students are preparing for life beyond Thornhill