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00:00With a school in Yorkshire
00:02My eyebrows
00:04Shared down my eyebrows
00:06This is a coffee
00:08And an inspiring English teacher
00:10Mr. Burton
00:12It's the same moment when the trees are loose
00:14Bloody hell
00:16That's insane
00:18Now ten years on, Mr. Burton's been promoted
00:20to head teacher
00:22Shirts in, ties on, coats off
00:24Live the smirk of your face now
00:26Don't make myself clear
00:28We're really, really, really proud of your achievements
00:30In that time, we've had six Prime Ministers
00:32A global pandemic
00:34That's a bit dramatic
00:36And Huddersfield Town have been in and out
00:38of the Premier League
00:40Now, the cameras are back
00:42These lot are insane
00:44To capture the new challenges
00:46Get rid of Snapchat, TikTok, get rid of Instagram
00:48Facing the school
00:50I'm not a therapist, you know
00:52No! He's just said leave me alone
00:54I can tell you don't want me here
00:56We do want you here, pal
00:57It's a difficult world that we live in now
00:59And it's a difficult world to grow up in
01:01But these are moments that hopefully
01:03Children will look back on in the years to come
01:05And think, actually, I learnt a lot from that school
01:07Call me a fat slut
01:08How old are we? Five
01:10Can we just talk about the fact that you kissed my ex-boyfriend?
01:12So we spent a year
01:14I love you so much
01:15Seeing the troubles
01:17No
01:18Tears
01:19There's so much to do
01:20It's toxic
01:21And it's dragging you down the wrong path
01:23Triumphs
01:24You little legend
01:25Ready?
01:26Woo!
01:27Through the eyes of the staff
01:29You've committed a criminal offence
01:31And the students at the very start of adult life
01:35My aim is to inspire you to achieve your goals
01:40Time flies when you're having fun, baby cakes
01:43Baby cakes?
01:44That was the most mentally exhausting three months of my entire life
01:50Life would be so much easier working in a school if there were no students
01:54Welcome to the world of education!
01:57Hiya
02:05Hello
02:06Have you got that, you know, that terminology for, er
02:08I'm just sending it right now
02:09God, that's weird
02:10Yeah, I've literally just finished it
02:12How's your, er, velvetiser?
02:14Really good
02:15A bit too good, actually
02:16Have you bought those little Hotel Chocolat-like bags of chocolate?
02:19Yeah
02:20I've just literally been eating it out of the bag
02:22Is that wrong?
02:23Well, it's much cheaper to buy a twirl, for example, from a shop
02:26Morning, happy new year
02:31It's January at Thornhill
02:34Morning boys, welcome back
02:36And for the oldest students, there's only six months left of school
02:42Year 11's a massive, massive year
02:44It can be filled with a range of different emotions
02:47The backdrop is always this sort of ticking clock of days are getting fewer and fewer and fewer
02:52And we're moving towards the final exams
02:55So much is at stake
02:57And you want every Year 11 to do super, super well
03:00Because it's that passport onto the next step
03:03It's all about making sure that they are ready to go off into the big wide world
03:07We'll do a college interview run through, so you're going to pretend you don't know me
03:12Oh, hi, is it Olivia?
03:15Yeah
03:16Oh, hi Olivia, I've been expecting you
03:18Hello, I'm Mrs Delaney, I work here at What's Matter With Ya?
03:22Is she going to organise for you to maybe do a day's work experience?
03:27Yeah
03:28So we just need to build your confidence a little bit
03:31I want them to go and experience the best days of their life as highly qualified and articulate and capable young adults
03:38Who can go on and make a splash in the future
03:40Alright, let's do this, 2025, here we go
03:43Morning, it's just school, just checking if everything's okay with Franca
03:52He's not signed in as yet
03:53Thank you, bye
03:54But preparing students for life after Thornhill can be tricky
03:59Not least for those who aren't even turning up to school
04:03Mrs Alley, are you free to come to my office?
04:07Before the day has even begun
04:09Amongst her other duties, Deputy Head Mrs Alley oversees attendance
04:15Attendance is a national crisis at the minute
04:18Schools up and down the country, post lockdown, have really struggled to get the same number of students back through the doors
04:26That instability and that sporadic attendance cycle that they're in, it's really hard to break that cycle
04:32And that really has an impact on students' ability to come in school and feel like they belong there
04:40She's decided to go the extra mile to get students out of their homes and back in the classroom
04:53We're good to go
04:57I think I threw the term fun bus out there, what about a fun bus? Let's go pick them up
05:01I did say to one of my year 10s, you do know that I'll be outside your house in the fun bus
05:06He said, miss, that is not fun
05:10Jenna, just to pre-warn you, I'm not a very good passenger
05:12Yeah?
05:13Ever since I was a kid, sometimes we wouldn't even make it off the end of the street
05:16Before I've been sick in the bag
05:18Do you know what the secret is?
05:20We sit on newspaper
05:22Is that a real thing?
05:23Yeah
05:24Are you in, please? It's Mrs Ali from Thornehill Community Academy
05:31Can you come to the door, please?
05:36The earring, can you just take the earring out and leave it here for your mum?
05:38No, no
05:39Thank you
05:40No, no
05:41It won't
05:42Take the earring out, please
05:43We'll take you out of school and get you an antiseptic wife
05:46Yeah
05:47All right
05:48Straight into the bus
05:50Attendance is such a pressing priority
05:53Essentially, if your bum's not on the chair in the classroom, you're not learning
05:57So picking them up is a really proactive way of doing it
06:01Miss, can I go get some food?
06:02No
06:03It's not a plumbing taxi service mode, they're taking you everywhere
06:06Wanting to get a subway
06:11Yeah, we're definitely not going to subway
06:21Is that telling us lunch is over?
06:23Are you having my life?
06:25Ladies, come on then, let's move
06:27I'm not moving till I've eaten
06:28The attendance bus might be getting some students through the gates
06:33But it's not solving the whole problem for others
06:36Like 15-year-old Gracie May
06:39We started in Year 7 and that was like after Covid
06:41And then like we kept going through phases of coming to school
06:44And then not coming to school
06:45And being at home and being online and doing teams and stuff
06:49Let's go
06:50Yeah, hold on
06:52Everything was overwhelming me
06:54And then having to come to school like I was scared
06:58Can you believe you're in Year 11 now?
07:01No, it just feels like all my school years have gone so quick
07:05It's just like now I'm in like more or less at the end of Year 11
07:08It's like no more school ever again
07:11It's weird to think about
07:14I am actually off to the toilet before I got in my lesson
07:17Come on ladies, let's go
07:19And with Gracie May, even when she's in school
07:22She's often doing everything she can to avoid actually going to class
07:27What are you doing?
07:30What lesson have you got? Come on
07:33I'm bored now
07:35Come on I need to get you two into lesson
07:37I want some water
07:39I'll get you some water but you need to be in lesson
07:42Gracie May is a complex character
07:44I think because of her attendance she can feel so far behind that there's almost no point trying
07:49But she's intelligent, she's articulate, she could catch back up quickly if she put her mind to it
07:55I know it ain't easy, but Year 11 can be really successful for you
08:00If you allow us to do what we need to do
08:03We're not asking you to do anything out of the ordinary
08:05It's just doing the basics and doing them well
08:09But sometimes Gracie's go-to response is no I'm not doing that
08:13And almost to shut down and refuse to engage
08:17At just over 50%
08:19Gracie May's attendance record is one of the worst in Year 11
08:23And with her mock GCSEs fast approaching, Mr Burton has pulled her in for a pep talk
08:29OK, right, so let's have a look at your attendance this week
08:33You can tell me before I can get there, go on
08:35I don't think, did I come in on Monday? I don't think I came in Monday
08:38You tell me
08:40I don't think I came Monday, but I've been in yesterday and today
08:42Well, from small acorns, mighty oak's grow, have you heard that before?
08:45Like it only needs a little seed to sort of grow a big old tree
08:49But the big old trees are way in the distance yet, isn't it?
08:51We're on about half attendance at the moment, 50.9%
08:54Which is not where we want to be, is it?
08:55And we want to be as high as we possibly possibly can be
08:59We want you to get the most you can possibly out of Year 11, Gracie May
09:02Do you understand that?
09:04I want to be a beautician
09:07I want to do hair and beauty level one in college
09:11I've got to get a Grade 2, I think, in my maths and English
09:16How's that looking at the moment?
09:18Not good
09:20So, mocks next week are a really, really, really important time to sort of
09:25See where gaps are, and there will be some gaps because you missed a fair bit of school, but that's fine
09:29And that basically gives your teachers a menu of the things that you know and the things you don't know
09:33Before the next, you know, the run into the exams
09:36Yeah
09:38It's a big, big, big, big, big push
09:43We have to make sure that we look after her and look out for her
09:46Because, at the minute, the opportunity to benefit from Year 11 is slipping away from her
09:50I'm not running in the corridors, you didn't see me
09:56Are my eyebrows? Are they?
09:59Yeah, tell them, tell them
10:01Well, not that bad
10:03You need to sort your uniform out there
10:05Miss, Miss, please
10:07Go on, Preston
10:08Miss, do you think these pens are the same height?
10:11Yeah
10:12Wait, if it treats cancer, why does it cause cancer?
10:22Oh, brainy, I am
10:24Sorry
10:26While some students are a struggle to get into school, others rarely miss a day
10:31I like coming to school, I like doing the work
10:34You know, I get on, I've never had any detentions or anything like that
10:38So that's, class has been nerdy
10:41But, I'm alright with that
10:43What did we say an Isotope is?
10:46Darcy
10:48What are the badges you've got here?
10:50I got asked this the other day, I've kind of collected all of them
10:53So I got that, I think it was Year 8
10:56That was for Form Ambassador
10:58I was a reading friend last year
11:00And this, by the time, means that I'm a prefect
11:03Best friends Darcy and Alexa
11:05Are in their final two years of school
11:08And they've got big ambitions
11:11What's your New Year resolutions, ladies?
11:14I get a gross bird
11:16That's fair
11:18Both have their eyes on becoming head student when they hit Year 11
11:21No, Alexa, Alexa, Alexa
11:24First
11:26Is it to become Head Girl?
11:28I mean, I'd like to become Head Girl
11:30I remember, we were in English
11:32And we were in the same English in Year 7
11:34And I remember Miss Nayla saying to us
11:36That it'd be us two fighting against each other for Head Girl
11:39She said that she'd bet us a million pounds
11:41And look where we are now
11:43Fight till the death
11:45Yes
11:49Feels real now
11:51Yeah, it does
11:53It feels a lot closer
11:55Yeah, now like, okay, this is actually happening
11:57I think I'm definitely challenging myself going of Head Girl
12:00Because I struggle a lot with my anxiety
12:03When I'm having to read something and then talk to somebody
12:07Like with public speaking
12:09I struggle with that because I get in my head about it
12:11Have you guys started your personal?
12:13Yeah
12:15My mum is prepared
12:17She...
12:19Are you prepared? Are you prepared? It doesn't matter if your mum's prepared
12:21I am prepared, I am quite prepared to be honest
12:24I think Darcy's very confident in how she presents herself
12:29And I think she goes into things thinking
12:32Like, yeah, I'm going to do really amazing at this
12:35Which I do admire because sometimes I wobble a bit
12:38In order to be crowned Head Girl
12:42Both students will need to prepare a speech
12:45And present it in front of Mr Burton and a panel of teachers
12:48So we need to write about why I want to apply, what skills I'll bring
12:54And then the ideas I want to bring
12:57My mum is very proud of me
13:00She knows how much I've put into it and she knows how much I want to be a head student
13:05My mum came to this school and unfortunately wasn't a part of the student parliament team
13:12Right, okay, so...
13:14Why do you want to be the head girl?
13:16Something that I've always wanted, like, from Year 7
13:20You would be really good at being head girl
13:23I think you want me to get it more than I want to get it
13:26No, but I think you will do really well, don't we?
13:29You're supposed to be positive about it, Darcy
13:31I am being positive about it
13:33I've set myself a list of goals to achieve in school
13:41I've kind of ticked off most of the stuff that I want on my list
13:45So it's head girl that's next
13:46I've got his phone, I'm going to ring mum because he's refusing to tell us what he's been doing other than watching anime
14:04The lad has been quite embarrassed to tell the member of staff what it was that he'd seen
14:08He just went, it rhymes with corn
14:11No, he didn't
14:12As part of her remit as deputy head
14:18Have a seat
14:20Mrs Alley also oversees behaviour
14:22So, the reason I wanted to catch you first thinking on is that we've had some anonymous reports come in
14:28There is a rumour about carrying a knife in school
14:33I don't carry knives, what's the reason to?
14:36I don't know, people do strange things, don't they, sometimes?
14:39Well, I'm not one of them people
14:40I hope you're not
14:42Now, I was quite surprised when it was your name
14:44You can search me right now
14:46Well, we will in a second
14:48I've got sweets when I've got my pens
14:50Okay
14:52Whilst on the outside school might look very much the same
14:55We're constantly fighting new battles and experiencing new things through the students
15:01It doesn't make the job any easier
15:04Right, do us a favour then, empty any pockets that you've got, just empty everything out onto the desk
15:09Now, we are more than just teachers
15:14I wear so many more hats than I thought I would in this role
15:18Right, so it's just like being at the airport, except we're not going anywhere glamorous
15:22You know what rumours are like, they start off as one flippant comment and before you know it, people have misheard it and that information spreads
15:30Great stuff, thank you, Keon
15:33I don't see myself as scary, but maybe some students do
15:38You've been on your phone, you've been asked to put it away, you haven't done
15:40No one asked me to put my phone away
15:42Did you hand the phone over?
15:43Well, I don't
15:44There we go, we haven't followed instructions, have we?
15:47I get my point across in the way that it needs to be put across, while still being very fair
15:53You're getting your phone confiscated? Are you on your phone in school?
15:56Confiscated?
15:57Yeah, your mum will have to come and get it
15:59I guess it depends who you ask
16:01Tall, isn't she? Intimidating
16:04Well, she's really tall with heels on, because she always wears, like, heels
16:06I like her hair, and I like her style
16:09Oh, you're cute
16:11Do you?
16:12I've never met a teacher like her
16:13Are you in your office?
16:15Yep
16:16It's not like you can't see me
16:17I can't get any blooming brighter than this, can I?
16:20Miss Ellie's such a, like, she's like a boss girl
16:23She's a baddie
16:24Yeah, she's a baddie
16:27Mrs. Stanley? Gracie, what are we doing with Gracie?
16:31Part of our role is to help open as many doors as we possibly can
16:35Some students will walk through those doors really confidently
16:40Others will need a guiding push through some of those doors to say
16:45Come on, you can do this, you've got this
16:47So, Gracie Mae's attendance was, as we know, diabolical
16:52My thoughts are around that, that unless we get that sustainable pattern of attendance in school
16:57We haven't got much of a chance with her for the next six months, have we?
17:00She's just kind of drifting along, a little bit of loss though
17:02When I look at her, I just think she doesn't believe in herself at all
17:07The issue we're going to come into is the fact that we can set up the most gold-plated timetable opportunities left, right and centre and then
17:12She's not here to actually
17:13She's not here?
17:15I think it's worth a conversation with her around what really makes her tick
17:18What is it that would kind of change her thought process around school?
17:26I think we have to be really pragmatic about where we're at with Gracie
17:31Is she going to attend every lesson between now and the exams?
17:35No, probably not
17:37Will we make it a priority for her to make sure that she attends every exam?
17:40Yes, absolutely, because that paper is ultimately going to open another door for her and another opportunity
17:47Time's ticking
17:48It is
17:49A few months to go
17:51But, at the minute, the opportunity to benefit from Year 11 is slipping away from her
17:58Go ahead, miss
18:00We've got Gracie by reception
18:02Not in lessons
18:03If we could meet with her
18:05No problem
18:07Gracie?
18:09In here
18:11Determined to try and boost Gracie May's confidence before her GCSE exams, Mrs Alley has called her in for a meeting
18:18Right, OK, Gracie
18:20At the minute, we're in the building, but then we're wandering round, you don't want to go to class
18:25And it becomes the, let's chase Gracie May for an hour
18:28And we can't be doing that
18:30Tell me what you think is not quite right
18:31I see it as a personal challenge because we see the qualities that she hasn't quite recognised yet
18:38I hate listening to people, like in school, just don't like being told what to do
18:43I want to be there, that moment when the penny drops and she thinks, actually, I'm a really decent human being
18:50And I've got a really good future ahead of me
18:52OK, but you are going to go through life having to listen to people
18:57In the past, like, two years, I've had a rough time
19:01Fallouts, arguments, literally everything, boyfriends, literally everything
19:07I was just like, what the hell
19:09So I stopped coming to school, because I didn't come to school for so long
19:12Just...just...I just get overwhelmed
19:16I just don't like school
19:18OK, you are entitled to your opinion, it breaks my heart that you feel that way about school
19:22But you are at the final, final hurdle and we need to get through exam season with you at the other end
19:29What I want to do is create a little bit of a contract with you and print out for you to sign
19:35Right, OK, so first bit of the contract in every day
19:39From a behaviour perspective, what would you say the criteria should be?
19:44Between now and the exams which are starting imminently
19:48Go to my lessons
19:50Right, I would agree with that one
19:52I'm so bad at school
19:54You know, you know, you are capable of great things
19:57You need to start believing that a bit more
20:01Mrs. Ollie, she'll do anything to get me into school
20:04She just tells you how it is
20:06It's like she just sees straight through me though, like, she knows
20:09I think she sees potential in me
20:11Like, I don't know, she sees things in me that other people don't
20:16Are we going for it?
20:19Come on, we've got this
20:21Gracie's school journey hasn't been plain sailing by any means
20:25But she needs to almost stop listening to that little voice in her head
20:29That's telling her that she can't do things because she can
20:32And she needs to let the positive voices that are around her saying,
20:36Gracie, you've got this, in a little bit more
20:38Are you in that thing all day?
20:41Yeah, talking about, like, how to be comfortable when public speaking
20:46So, when you've done this course, you can do an assembly for me, innit?
20:48Think of a topic, you can lead an...
20:50Lashes, a debate
20:52Okay, we'll do a debate in assembly then
20:54We did one about having leggings at school
20:56Lashes and leggings, hell and hell
20:58Lashes and leggings and nails
20:59Why, what's your issue with lashes and leggings?
21:00Because the lashes and leggings are so comfortable to wear
21:02Instead, you've got to wear these
21:04I don't think your lashes are comfortable
21:06Are you passionate about languages?
21:07No
21:08We're going to make the enthusiasm
21:09Yay!
21:11It's like a pantomime in here
21:13Ladies, just find somewhere to sit, please
21:14What on earth are you thinking to your hands?
21:15I don't know
21:16You must know
21:17That looks like a pen's being smushed everywhere
21:19We're going to have to get them scrubbed tonight
21:21The day of the head girl presentations has arrived
21:26Darcy and Alexa will be facing a panel of head teacher, Mr Burton
21:31Deputy head, Mrs Ali
21:33And student leadership coordinator, Miss Healy
21:37I want to prove that I am good enough
21:39And like, I think I get a bit in over my head sometimes
21:56I get too worried about it
21:57in over my head sometimes and I get too worried about it but I'm trying to manage that.
22:04I'm nervous about doing the speeches because you want to make a good impression. I think
22:09that they will grill me a bit about how are we going to make the school better.
22:15What time is it? Like three minutes to three. Three minutes to three? Where's Darcy?
22:23Is Darcy preparing like a smoke machine or something? She's coming in?
22:26She's coming into the medium of dance. The rise out of floor.
22:31The role of head student is to be the representative for students across the school.
22:39We want somebody who's got a belief in making things better for others. We're not expecting
22:44the finished article. You might not be the most confident person in your class but you have got
22:49a really kind nurturing side to you. Hi. Hi. How are you? How are you?
22:57Good to see you. You OK? Yeah.
23:00The floor is yours when you're ready.
23:02So, I'm Darcy. As you know, I'm Darcy. The reasons why I want the role is the ability to give a voice
23:08to students who feel they can't go directly to teachers. To also help bring ideas to the school
23:15to make just school life for students that little bit easier.
23:18What do you think your strongest characteristic is and how do you think that would help you in the
23:22role of head student? I think my confidence. I think having the experience of performing
23:27with drama club and being a drama student, it's something that it helps me with my confidence
23:33of public speaking. I know I can do it. It does get competitive. It matters a lot to them so
23:39it probably puts them in a position pitting themselves against friends and mates that they
23:43haven't been in before. So, everybody who takes on a job or a new role or whatever it might be has got
23:49vulnerabilities. What do you think your biggest challenge would be if you were elected as head
23:53girl and how would you go about overcoming that? That's a very deep question. It was definitely
24:05nerve-wracking being in front of the head teacher and the deputy head teacher but I just felt proud
24:10of myself for going out there and putting myself out there to get the role. Right. Thank you, Darcy.
24:15Well done. Thank you. Great job. Well done. Some students who were doing what I would have done
24:21at school and putting themselves in situations that is scaring them to death and is completely
24:26out of their comfort zone but they're doing it because there's something inside them telling
24:29them, you know, you've got the skills to do this. Do I go in now? Yeah. Bye, bro.
24:38How are you all? Good, thank you. Are you? Thank you. Do I have to stand up or do you want me to sit down?
24:42Absolutely up to you. And when you're comfortable, when you're ready, the floor is yours. Okay, thank you.
24:48Erm, why do I want to become head girl? So, this is the worst bit. I hate talking about myself but, erm,
24:56I think I have quite a good role, like, quite good skills to be in the role, sorry. Erm, I think, erm,
25:04I'm very stubborn. I think I'm, you know, I do talk quite a lot so I think I'm, I want to do well.
25:12I'm good at listening and supporting other people. I'm a Brownie leader outside of school so I just
25:18want everyone to feel seen and feel happy and make sure that the, you know, the want to be in school.
25:24Like, I came in year seven so anxious, so scared about everything and I think that's something that
25:29you guys have really helped me with and I think making sure you guys have that recognition because,
25:35not that you need the ego booster, but make sure people see that you guys do it day in, day out.
25:40I think that's a really good thing that we need to shine a light on because you guys do so much and
25:44a lot of it isn't seen and it should be. I think I've built good relationships with teachers so
25:51hopefully they like my ideas and they'll get on board with me. Goodie two shoes, that's what they call me.
25:57Are you going for head girl or is this a senior leadership job that you're after?
26:01Head girl, but I'd be open to discussion. Okay. One more question for me. It might be simple,
26:07it might not. Who's the panda? I just really like pandas. There's no symbolism behind the panda or
26:14anything like that? No, he just made me a little less anxious. Okay, that's right. Well done.
26:19Proud of you. Thank you so much for listening. Take care. You too. I was feeling so nervous going in,
26:26like my hands were shaking like mad. I think if I didn't win, I'd be, I'd be a bit gutted because
26:34I'd be like, oh, I really wanted that. Darcy's got really good ideas and she's a brilliant prefect,
26:41so I wouldn't like to see my chances.
26:51Good morning. This is a message for Gracie May's mum. It's Thornell Academy. We're just making sure
26:55everything's okay with Gracie. She's not registered for school this morning. If you can, let us know
27:01what time to expect her in. Thank you. Bye. It's Tuesday morning and Gracie May has once again
27:10failed to turn up to school. Keen to do all she can to get Gracie May in, Mrs. Allie sends out the fun bus.
27:27It's your day. We'll come and take you, love. We'll save your hair, Gracie.
27:32Come on, Gracie. It's meant to be our fun bus.
27:34No, I'm not getting in that. Don't you sit off now then, Gracie, and we'll meet you there, love.
27:40Yeah? What do you think about the attendance bus?
27:47Embarrassing. Even if I were, like, in Wakefield and they come in on that bus and I had to walk,
27:51so I'd rather walk. No thanks. Oh, is she here? She is here. I won't be.
27:58Whereabouts is she? She's here on the right. Oh, she's gone to the other side. Doing her best to avoid.
28:07Well done for getting in, Gracie.
28:11I don't think she liked the concept of being driven to school in the minibus.
28:15I think she thought it was a bit embarrassing, but she's on her way in.
28:18In school, Gracie May has a catch-up with student manager Mrs Crowther about what might happen when she finishes year 11.
28:32I think you get to a certain stage in year 11 and you're done with it all, aren't you?
28:37You're the oldest students in school. It's a bit of a stressful time of year.
28:43But it is coming to an end now, Gracie.
28:46So it's just this push to the end.
28:51OK?
28:55Have you any worries or concerns?
29:00Sure.
29:03You know you can come and talk to me all the time.
29:05Everything's just gone so quick.
29:11Like, yesterday I was in year seven and now I'm finishing school and my GCSEs.
29:17You feel a bit stressed?
29:18Yeah.
29:20I'm just more scared to just leave.
29:23Like, there's not going to be the support.
29:26The thought of being in the world, like, just me by myself, just scares me.
29:30When I leave, I'm just going to be, like, lost, I think.
29:36It is scary.
29:37And when you're in school, everything's done for you.
29:40You just need to turn up and do the work.
29:45This is part of your growing up.
29:50It's daunting for them because they've been here for five years.
29:54They do want to leave, but a lot of them do get quite worried,
29:59even though they might not always admit to it,
30:02that they're leaving a bit of a safety net, really.
30:06Have you thought about where you're going to go?
30:09What do you mean?
30:11What would you like to do at college or what would you like as a job?
30:14Hair and beauty or construction.
30:18Nothing wrong with that.
30:20Where are you applying to do that?
30:22I don't even know.
30:23You don't know? Right.
30:25We need to get that sorted, don't we?
30:27Think about which course you want to do.
30:29Get to some open events.
30:31Have a look round.
30:33That's so scary, though.
30:35But you know what would be even more scary?
30:38Is not going and looking round and going somewhere
30:41that's not the right fit for you.
30:43Yeah.
30:44You wouldn't buy a pair of shoes without trying them on, would you?
30:48No, Karen.
30:49Yeah, if I had them online.
30:51Yeah, but if they weren't right, you'd send them back.
30:54Yeah.
30:56When they leave at the age of 16,
30:58and they're going to go into the world of college,
31:00or the world of sixth form, or apprenticeships,
31:03or training, or work, or whatever it might be,
31:05at that point, they need to start taking more responsibility.
31:09The other thing about it, though, Grace, it's quite an exciting time for you, is this?
31:15It's scary.
31:16It is scary, but it's your next steps.
31:19The first rung on the ladder of responsibility is believing that you can.
31:26So, when they leave us, they need to believe that they absolutely can.
31:28And we've got a job to be able to teach them the tools to be able to do that.
31:36Why are we late?
31:39Slept in, Evie? Why are we late?
31:40Because my car didn't de-ice.
31:42Right, it's 30 minutes detention.
31:45Can't, Evie, cars do de-ice.
31:48OK, so, little quick tip for tomorrow.
31:51If you get a single one of those sandwich bags,
31:53you know a sandwich bag, a bag that you put sandwiches in,
31:55fullish of warmish water, not hot, run it over the windscreen,
31:59it'll de-ice the car. And there's no excuse for being late.
32:03OK, I love this.
32:04It was just coincidence, but I just think it's really cute.
32:07It was sent from J. Frost... Frost, like frosty weather.
32:11You with me?
32:13..to a thaw.
32:16When ice melts, it's thawed.
32:22I don't know if you're getting it.
32:26I think, realistically, the one that stood out for me was all I could think.
32:30With the presentations complete,
32:32the school is due to announce who will be crowned head girl.
32:37I agree that Alexa was very impact-driven and much more confident,
32:42and I thought she would be, which is really positive.
32:45I thought she did a really good job of it.
32:47Darcy really impressed me.
32:49Darcy, I thought, was great, very pragmatic.
32:51I think she'd be really approachable for students as well.
32:54I think she is the type of character that you would want to go to.
32:58Alexa is resourceful and intelligent and kind.
33:01Alexa.
33:02Like superiority.
33:03Fantastic. This idea of him being superior.
33:07She works hard, she bees nice, if you like.
33:09Now, one of the things Alexa lacks massively is confidence.
33:13It will be a challenge for her.
33:14Bear in mind how anxious she can get.
33:16Aw, I don't like science.
33:18Darcy May is passionate about the school and is an ambassador and role model for students to look up to.
33:26If we could combine Alexa and Darcy May, then I'm pretty sure we'd have almost that perfect head girl.
33:32Where's your vote going?
33:33Absolutely no comment. I plead in the fifth.
33:38Sorted.
33:39Bill?
33:39Yeah?
33:40Shall we get him in?
33:40Yeah.
33:42Right, do you want to come in?
33:44Girls, come round this side.
33:47Is that everyone?
33:48Sorry.
33:49I think me and Alexa asked Mr Burton quite a few times.
33:53When are we going to find out?
33:54When are we going to find out?
33:56You all look so nervous.
33:58This is worse than me.
33:59It's absolutely not.
34:01You've done the hardest bit.
34:02The atmosphere of this office is crackling.
34:06People that I don't live with, like relatives in Wales,
34:09would be like, has she found out yet?
34:10I'm like, no, I've not found out.
34:11Do you want to do head girl?
34:14Yes.
34:15Mrs Sally.
34:15So, ladies, you did a phenomenal job.
34:18There can only be one winner.
34:19So, after a lot of deliberation and you made our jobs extremely difficult,
34:25we have determined, based on your interviews, that our head girl is going to be...
34:34Mrs Spencer.
34:38Alexa, congratulations.
34:41Well done.
34:44You were phenomenal.
34:45You almost made me cry as part of your interview.
34:48You were just so passionate about everything.
34:50It's an absolutely phenomenal job.
34:52Well done.
34:52Thank you so much.
34:53Darcy, you are our deputy head girl.
34:55You were just so good.
34:57And I know that you guys will work in partnership and do amazing things.
35:00You both got incredible ideas.
35:02So, congratulations to both of you.
35:04Thank you so much.
35:08You know, I've always wanted to be head girl.
35:10It's been something I wanted to do since year seven.
35:13But I think Alexa will do it amazing as head girl.
35:16Well done, everyone.
35:17Well done.
35:19When I heard her say it, I was a bit like, she said my name.
35:22You know, I was a bit like, wow.
35:24If I told six-year-old Alexa that I am now head girl, she wouldn't believe me.
35:31I never thought that I'd be able to, you know, get this far.
35:34But, yeah, she'd be proud of me.
35:36And I'm proud of myself.
35:37I'm proud of myself.
35:39I'm Kardashian it out.
35:42Girls, sit down or outside, please.
35:45Right.
35:46It's the uniform train and it's untidy.
35:48Shirt in.
35:49Tie on.
35:51Grazie.
35:53Please.
35:54No.
35:55I'm not taking you out of your whole geography just because you don't like...
35:58But if you don't, then I guarantee you that that guy will send me out.
36:01We'll just keep your mouth shut.
36:03I do.
36:03He hates me for breathing.
36:05Don't breathe, then.
36:07And then I'll die.
36:08Give me your breath.
36:08Miss.
36:09Oh, go on, then.
36:09Miss.
36:10Yeah.
36:10Are you serious?
36:11What?
36:11Yes, sir.
36:11He's just wished death upon upon me.
36:14I don't think he has.
36:15He did.
36:15I said, I get him two more for breathing.
36:17He went, don't breathe, then.
36:18That's the only thing we can suggest.
36:19Yeah.
36:20Go on, off we go.
36:25If you type in, how he hates you there.
36:28It's Monday morning.
36:29And it seems the message from her teachers is beginning to have an effect on Gracie May.
36:36She's taking her first steps to prepare for life after Thornhill.
36:41Is that something you'd be interested in?
36:43Yeah.
36:43Shall we apply for it now?
36:44Yeah.
36:45Right, this second?
36:46Yeah.
36:46Yeah, no time like the present.
36:48Scroll down.
36:51My future in my head, I want to have a good job, I want to be a family person.
36:57Hey, Kessie.
36:59Oh, hey, Lucy.
36:59How are you, mum?
37:00One day, I just want to have enough money to give my mum and just be like, stop working.
37:04I want to have that much money.
37:05So I can just give my mum loads and just be like, do what you want.
37:09Take yourself on holiday.
37:11Coming out tonight.
37:13Why not?
37:14I've got to revise.
37:15I've got exams all week.
37:16All this week and next week.
37:18What are the mocks?
37:19Yeah, they're your predicted grades.
37:21You get your predicted grades and then they go to college as well.
37:24All your mock exam results, they go to college.
37:27How are you going to get to that dream?
37:28Just work hard.
37:31Just literally work hard.
37:32Guys, pray for me.
37:37Right, bye.
37:37Bye.
37:44Daughter dearest, you all right?
37:47I'm good.
37:48What have you got on?
37:50We've got learning for life period one, haven't we?
37:54So we're doing Hanty and Ethics?
37:56Yes.
37:57Are you going to ask a question?
37:59Oh, for God's sake, you are pathetic.
38:02You can reach down better than me.
38:11Just a bit of shoe cleaning going on.
38:19Shirt in, please.
38:20Shirt in, tie on.
38:21What have you got?
38:23I'm glad maths went all right.
38:24I'll see you down there in a minute.
38:26It's Wednesday morning.
38:27Come on, nice and quick, please.
38:29And for the year 11s, mocks are in full swing.
38:35Right, I'm walking down to the exam.
38:36Have you got an exam as well?
38:37What exam is it?
38:37It's OK, it's going to be fine.
38:39Have you got the mock?
38:40In the jog there.
38:41Perfect.
38:43Is Gracie here?
38:44Mrs just got here now.
38:47I've offered to put her in the hall, but she's just walking away.
38:51Gracie Mae is in school, but is refusing to enter the exam hall.
38:56Come on, let's go.
38:57Come on, Gracie Mae.
38:58Off we go.
38:58Come on, Gracie, let's go.
38:59These exams are not about knowing everything that you need to know.
39:02And I know you've got massive gaps.
39:03What we need to know is what you don't know.
39:05And if that's everything, then that's everything.
39:06Well, it's everything. I'm going to sit there with nothing on my computer.
39:09So get some pen on paper and give it a go as best you possibly can.
39:12Have you got anybody who could have a word in Gracie's ear, please,
39:15about coming down to the exam?
39:16Just in the canteen now by the radiator.
39:18I'm going down to the exam.
39:19All right, I'm just going to catch Gracie.
39:22Exams are so scary.
39:26When you get into the exam, your whole mind just goes blank.
39:29Like, that's... I don't know about other people, but that happens to me.
39:31Like, I could know everything. Like, I could literally know everything.
39:35And as soon as I get into the exam, look at the paper,
39:38my head just goes blank and I can't do it.
39:41Gracie?
39:43Come on.
39:45What's worrying you?
39:47Do you know what? You might go in there and really surprise yourself,
39:50but actually, you know more than you thought.
39:53I get that that kind of fear of failure and that fear of not knowing anything
40:05is something that might absolutely put you off,
40:08but you might just go in there and surprise yourself a little bit.
40:12It gives me anxiety and, like, it makes me not be able to read the questions and stuff.
40:16Like, I just... I don't... I can't, like, put it into words.
40:20How about if we put you somewhere a bit quieter where it feels a little bit less intrusive?
40:29Would you be willing to give something a go if it's in a different space?
40:34Yeah?
40:35Let me get a copy of the paper.
40:38I think trying to plan too far ahead feels unobtainable to her.
40:42So, actually, if we just think about the next few days ahead, let's get through those.
40:46If we take it a little bit at a time, it feels a lot more manageable.
40:55Right, let's have a look.
40:57There's going to be a range of different questions, so even some of them,
41:00even if you're not 100% sure, you've got multiple choice questions in there,
41:03we can give it a go, can't we?
41:05And then some of them are to do with your opinion on stuff.
41:08So there's no right or wrong answer on a question like that.
41:12So as long as you can justify your opinion on why you think a certain thing, you get marks.
41:18Should we give those questions a go and see how you get on with them?
41:20Yeah?
41:22Have you got a pen?
41:23No.
41:24No?
41:25Have you?
41:26Is your phone in your bag?
41:27Are you happy if I put your bag just outside and you haven't got your phone in the exam room?
41:31No.
41:33When you're dealing with young people who do lack some self-belief, you can relate to that.
41:40Everybody's got a little bit of self-doubt or an area in their life
41:44where they don't feel as confident.
41:52Those are ways to... Oh, sorry.
41:55That's the only thing I can't...
42:10Done. Let's have a look.
42:12How do you feel now you've done it?
42:15All right.
42:16Yeah, not as bad as you were expecting.
42:19Sometimes we build things up in our mind, don't we?
42:21And you think that barrier's there and you put a blocker there.
42:24But actually, you can do it.
42:30OK, do you know what? I'm really proud of you for doing that.
42:33I didn't think we were going to get in this room and get it done.
42:36So well done you.
42:38When I was at school, I always had that niggling voice in the background
42:43telling you that I couldn't do things.
42:45So when I see that in the young person, I understand that.
42:51I've had those voices. I still have those voices.
42:54I'm not sure they ever fully go away.
43:00Really proud of you, Gracie. Well done.
43:03My job is to help students find a way of controlling that volume themselves.
43:09Yeah, it makes me quite emotional.
43:11And I'm by my Arkansas, I don't have my mum and pa.
43:21Not in the way that I do love you.
43:24I don't know.
43:29Home is whenever I meet you.
43:32We're listening to that song.
43:33The power that children have got to just make you sit up and go,
43:41oh, goodness me, where did that come from?
43:43My next-door neighbour's called Gary.
43:44My dog's called Gary.
43:46OK, let's pretend this is Gary Barlow.
43:48Is that a person?
43:49It just keeps you relentlessly entertained and interested and engaged.
43:52I mean, I think putting a zipline in school is probably a little bit beyond what we can do.
43:57It keeps it really, really, really positive,
43:59even in really challenging times for education.
44:01I know you'll be doing something behind me in 200 classrooms, Jacob.
44:06Own up to it.
44:07He says heard it and he knows it was somebody.
44:09Who made the big noises?
44:11The reason people work in school is because they want to make a difference.
44:14And the staff here are so dedicated to making sure that young people get the very best chance in life.
44:20Kind of looks like Mr Hall.
44:21All the wash browns!
44:22Shouting out an answer.
44:25No, no, you shouted out mango.
44:27Mango?
44:28But nobody goes into schools for an easy ride.
44:31It's an emotional rollercoaster.
44:33Just leave me alone, I can tell you don't want me!
44:35We do want you here, pal.
44:37Come on.
44:38And when you're dealing with the futures of the next generation...
44:45Right, breathe in, breathe out.
44:46Big deep breaths.
44:49It's high-stakes stuff.
44:53And we don't get any other chances to get this right.
44:58I'm in.
44:58Oh, that is fantastic news.
45:00I'm really, really proud of you, Scott.
45:02Absolutely buzzing.
45:03He's good.
45:05You are good.
45:06Wow.
45:08To see them in school and thriving is really inspiring and really heartwarming.
45:13Ready?
45:14Three, two, one.
45:19Alexa.
45:21There's so much hope for the future.
45:27There are times when children, teenagers get really bad reputation in the media and
45:33across society.
45:35But teenagers are still teenagers.
45:37They still go through the same experiences and emotions and ups and downs that they always
45:41have done and always will do.
45:44Keep being you.
45:45Never change for anyone else.
45:48This lot are fabulous.
45:49Really good people, making good choices, doing good things.
45:54It's an absolute privilege to have been involved in that really important time in their lives.
46:03Every one of us, living here is a DIEP-
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