The teaching stars of TV series Educating Yorkshire have said that the biggest changes since the programme started 12 years ago have been around mobile phones and mental health.
The Channel 4 series follows staff and students at Thornhill Community Academy in Dewsbury as they navigate the highs and lows of secondary school.
Headteacher Matthew Burton said the prevalence of smartphones had changed pupils’ behaviour since the first season aired in 2013.
He said: “On the whole, there’s a lot more access to the internet and there are a lot more challenges around teenage mental health and anxiety.
“On the flip side of that, young people these days are much more attuned to their own mental health and how they’re feeling and are able to ask for the help they need, so we’re really proud of them.”
Deputy headteacher Zoe Ali said despite social media being an increasing concern for teachers and parents, it did have positives for students.
She said: “Social media can be a wonderful thing for them and can open lots of opportunities for experiencing new things, but at the same time the dangers that come with that and allowing young people to recognise those dangers is something that we’re working really hard on.”
Ahead of the series finale on Sunday evening, Mr Burton said it was the episode he was most proud of.
“The episode on Sunday is a particularly powerful one I think to sort of bring the series to a close,” he said.
“Working really closely with students who need that support, really need that tough love that comes through schools up and down the country.”
Ms Ali added: “I think young people get such a bad press sometimes, and the teaching profession does.
“It’s not seen as a glamorous, well-thought-of profession sometimes. We deal with a lot of parental complaints and all of those things, and what we really wanted to do when we went into this project is to shine a real positive light on the amazing work that goes on in schools up and down the country.”
Geography teacher Olivia Healey said being part of the series had been an “absolute rollercoaster”.
She said: “It’s been lovely to get the students’ voices heard and show a realistic version of what education is today.”
She said the stand-out story from the series for her was 11-year-old Ismaeel, whose campaign for school parliament was featured in episode four.
“That enthusiasm never stops, he’s still doing his presentations, he’s running a whole rewards trip, he came up with an assembly and sent it to the deputy head off his own back. He’s a stand-out student.
“I’ve seen so many social media comments saying ‘protect this child, don’t let the bad world get him’, but I don’t think it will because his enthusiasm is second to none.”
