Gritty School Drama (Waterloo Road)

Member Name: shandygirl

Product:	Waterloo Road
Date:	12/11/09 (56 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Interesting and realistic makes school seem more scary than I remember

Disadvantages: Some of the old characters are sorely missed

Waterloo Road is a television drama series and in my opinion an upgraded version of Grange Hill!!
It is set in Rochdale, Greater Manchester and is about a troubled comprehensive school. The programme focuses on its teachers and students, and confronts social issues, including affairs, abortion, divorce and suicide, and many other storylines...drink drugs....etc

Waterloo Road is produced by Shed Productions, the production company responsible for Bad Girls and Footballers' Wives.
After making an eight part series it was launched and aired in 2006 and after being recommissioned several times we are now in the fifth series which started in October.
When Waterloo road first started we were shown the series to be gritty and exciting with the pupils running riot and the teachers thinking their jobs are pointless, with parents barging into lessons, teenagers engaging in 'overt sexual behaviour' and teachers being attacked.
Some teachers criticised the show for sending out the wrong signals and undermining viewers' confidence in the schools system - but personally I felt it was pretty realistic!!

It was an exciting first term and seemed a lot more exciting than what I ever experienced at shcool.

The cast seems to have changed substantially over time as I assume is the case with most dramas which in this case is a shame. I liked the banter between the characters and miss a lot of the great people that were originally in the series.

Jack Rimmer (played by Jason Merrells) was fantastic as head teacher and even though you knew he was wrong for the job it was fun to watch.
With an array of different characters you are sure to recognise a few familiar faces.
Kim Campbell is played by Angela Griffin and Steph Haydock is played by Denise Welch, and Tom Clarkson who is played by Jason Done

All the teachers gel well together and the students create more and more chaos with each epsode that is shown, and last night was no exception.
Whilst in a science class the bad boys of the school decide to steal some ethanol from the lab and realise it takes like alcohol...clearly not....and the consequences that follow made for exciting drama, as one of the students takes a turn for the worst.....

Aired on Wednesdays at 8oclock its a suitable and convenient time, and if you miss an episode you can also catch up by downloading the latest version for free on the BBC I player.
With the changes in staff and school kids it always keeps Waterloo Road interesting and feasbile programme to watch.
With a sixth series commissioned and expected to air in 2010 I dont think they are doing too badly

Summary: Fab school drama