Educating Essex

Mamie The title was misleading - I thought it was some variant on "The only was is Essex" so I did not read on.

If it shows what teachers are really doing, instead of blaming them for every shortcoming of their pupils, then it is doing a great job, and deserves more viewers.

Way not was. Proofreading failed again.

I think it has had quite high viewing figures Elegran; the head and deputy were on BBC Breakfast this morning.

I have watched this from the beginning and found the deputy head the most inspirational teacher that I have ever come across,he deal's with all the day to day problems and the children's shortcomings as well as giving them unconditional support,he seems to have eye's in the back of his head,well done to him and the other teachers he works with.

Well - it is interesting. On the one hand I enormously admired the fact that the staff did not give up on the pupils, and that they worked so hard to be the parents that some of these poor young people needed.

On the other hand, I found the deputy head quite unspeakable - his cockiness and sarcasm were guaranteed to irritate adolescents and there were several incidents that spiralled unnecessarily out of control because of his approach. He was on a self-satisfying trip of his own - he would be a complete also-ran in any other setting where he had to deal with adults rather than youngsters over whom he could wield power. I though he was quite dreadful and should have been sacked!!!

The bit I saw today made we long (for about 5 minutes) to be back in the classroom! I taught mainly 14 - 18 year olds and there was never a dull moment. Fraught ones, stroppy ones, tears, tantrums, but never dull!

Did anyone manage to watch the last episode without crying? I thought the school had done a fantastic job with Ryan and clearly he did too.

I too loved the series. I preferred the head teacher to his deputy, who was rather sarcastic, but liked the fact that for both their stance was always the same so the young people knew exactly where they stood.
Some of the stories were tear-jerkingly emotional, some showing how parental break-ups can have a devastating impact on the children.
I have always said secondary school teachers are amazing and this show reinforced that. It is a career I could never have chosen. I send a huge thank you to all teacher and ex-teacher gransnetters.