We got a sneak peek of how life has moved on at Thornhill Community Academy 12 years on.
We were delighted to receive an invitation to attend the promotional launch of series 2 of the popular Channel 4 documentary, Educating Yorkshire, where we get to step inside school life at Thornhill Community Academy, Dewsbury, for the second time, 12 years after the first series aired.
The R.I.S.E. team was invited to a screening of the first episode of the new series, ahead of its broadcast on Sunday 30th August, 8PM. We also watched a panel discussion moderated by beloved British television presenter and broadcaster, Angellica Bell, with some of the staff of Thornhill Community Academy and programme makers. We were also treated to some excellent ‘school dinners’ and then partied the night away at a ‘back to school’ disco with the iconic drag queen, Divina de Campo on the decks.
Liz Bury and Kat Cauchi at the Channel 4 event entrance.
What did we think of the episode?
We loved it! Like with the first season, we found ourselves laughing one minute and crying the next! You really find yourself rooting for the incredible young people as you listen to their stories and their struggles and for the school staff doing their utmost to support them.
In the first episode, we saw students tackling the tricky nature of friendships, struggling with self-esteem, trying to make the right behaviour choices (and not always getting them right). These issues are so relatable to our own days at school but equally, in the preview of episode 2, we saw more modern-day challenges, such as teachers navigating student use of AI to complete homework or generate questionable videos, as well as trying to support students in limiting their screen time and tackling social media addiction (SPOILER ALERT: one student had an average screen time of TWENTY HOURS a day!).
We saw the evolution of the school to meet current day challenges, including its new mission statement: ‘Be nice, work hard.’ We saw how teachers worked to support students – from being there for them to talk to, to helping them manage their nutrition with a food diary – really demonstrating the personalised care they provide.
“‘Being nice’ is about being honest, being straight and actually being frank about where we need to be and what we need to do. ‘Being nice’ – we can translate through to: be nice to your parents, be nice to yourself, be nice to your future, whatever it might be. It applies to everybody – students, staff, visitors, whoever it might be – you’re expected to do those things when you come into our school because that’s the most important thing there is.” – Mr Burton, Headteacher at Thornhill Community Academy
Channel 4 has done an incredible job again of showing us an authentic look into school life – warts and all, showcasing the realities of the profession but also the hugely positive impact that can be made on the lives of young people.
How did Channel 4 film the series in this busy school?
- 64 cameras
- 25 radio mics
- 8 weeks of filming
- a whole lot of relationship and trust-building…
… these are just a few of the things that went on behind the scenes of the new series of Educating Yorkshire.
The school and the production company had a duty of care towards the school and its students, so filming the staff and students’ stories wasn’t straightforward, especially when not every student wants to be filmed. Head teacher, Mr Barton explained:
“The most important thing within this process has been making sure that we look after our students and we look after our staff. More important than anything, is our students. Safeguarding trumps absolutely everything in education – no question about it – and that includes this [programme].”
Channel 4’s series producer gave the audience some insights into how its team approached the nuts and bolts of filming to achieve an authentic representation of the school:
“We spend months in the school before the cameras go in…so there was work that had happened before that in terms of access and making sure everyone felt in a good place. It’s complicated…but we can’t be seen to be putting attention on [the students] in a way that then distracts them from what they’re doing.”
Building trust was the all-important factor. This meant that the students who decided that they did want to tell their personal stories had the confidence to do so and, critically, felt comfortable with their choice.
The result is that the stories are authentically told – and emotional! You’ll definitely experience that when you watch the episodes.
The panel discussion with Thornhill Community Academy staff and Channel 4 programmers, moderated by Angellica Bell.
Other highlights
- Meeting Angellica Bell and Divina de Campo – they were both so lovely. We spoke with Angellica about her thoughts on Educating Yorkshire and she shared how at school there were teachers who saw a potential in her that she didn’t see in herself and how powerful that was.
- Food glorious food – there was a great spread of party food, they even had a retro cheese and pineapple hedgehog and classic school dinner style puddings with custard, we also really liked the margarita slushies!
- Chatting with Mr Burton – We had the chance to chat with Matthew about the series and what it was like doing it all over again! It was clear he and the other staff members are really passionate about their school and students – and he mentioned how important it was to have something showing profession in a positive light, showing the good stuff, how rewarding and amazing it can be working with young people.
Kat eating a school style pudding with custard
Angellica Bell and Kat Cauchi
Kat Cauchi and Divina de Campo
Huge thanks to the Channel 4 events team for inviting R.I.S.E. Magazine to this exciting, exclusive event – we loved it!
Educating Yorkshire is on Channel 4, this Sunday (31 August) at 8pm.
