Educating Essex nominated for BAFTA YouTube Audience Award

19 April 2012

Educating Essex, the Channel 4 documentary series made by Twofour, has been nominated for The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) YouTube Audience Award - the only award voted for by the British public - at next month's Arqiva British Academy Television Awards.

Educating Essex explored what really happens behind the school gates.  Following a group of GCSE students it examined all aspects of teenage life. It's raw, honest and often hilarious portrayal of teaching did a remarkable service to the profession and education in the UK.  Inspirational Head Mr Goddard and Deputy Mr Drew were stand out stars, illustrating the challenges teachers face, but also highlighting the great rewards.

The critically-acclaimed series, which aired on Channel 4 in Autumn 2011, was seen by an average audience of 2.4 million viewers, took the social networks by storm, and captured the hearts of the nation.

The YouTube Audience Award, which was won last year by The Only Way Is Essex, rewards programmes that have captured audiences' imaginations, got the nation talking and have become must-watch TV over the past 12 months. A panel of entertainment journalists and media industry professionals collated the shortlist, which this year features a variety of genres including factual, entertainment and comedy.

Mike Sullivan, UK Marketing Manager for YouTube, said: "With the diverse range of nominated TV programmes this year, the YouTube community has its work cut out in selecting this year's Audience Award winner. YouTube is home to many of the top shows on TV, so it's fantastic that the YouTube community can be involved with this year's TV Awards."

Amanda Berry OBE, Chief Executive of BAFTA, added: "It is terrific to see such a variety of genres represented by the nominated programmes for this year's YouTube Audience Award. Each programme has really engaged the television audience and earned its place on this year's shortlist."

Educating Essex series director David Clews, who is also Twofour's Head of Documentaries, said: "It's a real honour to be nominated and fantastic to get this kind of recognition. Viewers were really moved by the incredible work of head teacher Mr Goddard and his team, and deputy head Mr Drew particularly found a place in the nation's hearts - so it's great the public are able to vote for programmes like Educating Essex, that they loved watching this year."

Twofour are currently looking for a new school to star in a follow up series to Educating Essex - please contact anna.collins@twofour.co.uk

 Vote for Educating Essex at www.youtube.com/baftaonline and tweet using hashtag #YTAAvote

Hosted by Dara O'Briain, the Awards will be held at the Royal Festival Hall, on London's iconic South Bank, on Sunday 27 May 2012 and will be broadcast on BBC One.