C4 searches for school for Educating Essex follow-up

23 February 2012

Channel 4 is developing a follow-up to Educating Essex and looking for a UK state secondary school to be the star.

Educating Essex, which was made by Twofour Broadcast and shown in September 2011, was critically acclaimed and captivated an average audience of 2.4 million viewers.

Filmed using 65 fixed cameras at Passmores Academy in Harlow, Essex, the seven-part series featured inspirational teachers working with passion and good humour and was praised for highlighting the challenges faced by the teaching profession as well as its even-handed and sympathetic portrayal of young people.

The school's headteacher Vic Goddard and deputy head Stephen Drew went on to record an Alternative Christmas Message for Channel 4.

The Sun described Educating Essex as "wonderful, inspiring TV...a must see", while the Mirror called it "the most thought-provoking, touching series of the year" and the Observer said that the series "makes you believe in the education system again". Radio Times chose the series as one of its Top 10 programmes of 2011.

Mark Raphael, Channel 4 commissioning editor for documentaries, says: "I was incredibly proud of Educating Essex. It made a real connection with younger viewers, and received huge critical acclaim. It was also gratifying to see the positive reaction from within the teaching profession. We're funding a development to follow on from the first series and want to find another inspiring school to work with."

David Clews, executive producer at Twofour Broadcast, says: "We're very excited about the prospect of building on the success of Educating Essex and would like to find a school to work in partnership with us to produce a new collection of warm, honest and important documentary programmes.

"In the same way as the first series, we don't want to shy away from the challenges that today's teacher's face, nor avoid the awkward parts of growing up, but ultimately our aim is that these will be optimistic and celebratory films which sensitively explore the human relationships that lie at the heart of school life."

Vic Goddard, the headteacher of Passmores Academy, the school which featured in the original series, is very positive about his school's experience and encourages other schools to take part: "I wish I had a pound for every time someone has said to me ‘you were brave' to allow open and complete access to my school.  I have learned since that I was indeed brave, but also completely justified in trusting Twofour and Channel 4 to look after our young people, the staff and the reputation of my school.

"The individuals I worked with were compassionate and understanding of the pressures on a school.  It has been evident that from the top down they are completely and utterly true to their word. I would be more than happy to speak to any headteachers who are considering putting their schools forward for the new series."

Twofour Broadcast were named Broadcast magazine's Best Independent Production Company in 2010.