Ackley Bridge

Education is what remains

after one has forgotten what one has learned in school.

Our teacher, Miss Keane, told us that last year.

I think she said it to inspire us.

Didn't half make me think we were wasting our time, though.

No.

Your teacher's not the one who said that.

No?

No.

- Albert Einstein. He's the one who said that. - Yeah,

but Miss Keane's the one what said it to us.

- Right. - OK?

So, are you looking forward to tomorrow?

Yeah. I kind of am.

Missy, are you drunk?!

- Yeah. - Yeah.

I suppose so.

I might be sick.

Right.

Careful.

Come, come. Right, good, good, yeah.

What you've been doing?

- I'm fine, Mum. - No, you're not.

- Look, here's your bag, Nanna. - Oh, thanks, love.

- Don't forget your blanket, Nanna. - Oh, I don't want to get me legs cold.

Thank you.

- Ready? - Yeah.

- Nas! - You're up early, Nana.

- Yeah, I've got to go to the post office. - Raz!

Hi, Hayley.

Well, would you look at that?

It's like opening time at visa section.

- Nana! - Morning!

Have a nice day.

Benefit scrounger.

- Right, girls. I'll see you. - All right, Nan.

Have a nice day.

Ta-ra, love. Take care.

See you later.

Today, two completely segregated schools

start a new life together.

This is Ackley Bridge College,

a new school with a new attitude.

Ackley Bridge is one of the most divided communities

in the UK.

Whites and Asians live side-by-side

but in totally different worlds.

Worlds...

Experience... With totally different experiences?

- Stick your chest out. - Stick my chest out?

You'd like that, wouldn't you?

- I mean for confidence. - I am confident.

I know you're confident, but you don't look confident.

You're making me nervous, you.

- Just go and see if Sadiq's here. - Sadiq...

What do you need him for? I mean,

- I'm helping you. - Right, yes.

Cos you know all about public speaking, don't you,

- with all your PE and that. - Oh, thank you, love.

- You are so kind to me. - No, thank YOU.

That whole chest thing, really useful.

- I'm going to use that all day. - I think it's useful.

How are we feeling, Mrs Carter?

Mr Carter.

Mr Bell.

Oh, I do like a man who keeps his name. Sorry, Mr Bell.

So, do you want to go through your speech?

What if I just want to surprise you?

No, no, definitely no surprises.

And did I say I were late?

Do you mind introducing yourself to fourth gear?

- Are you a teacher? - Yeah.

You're not from round here, are you?

- I'm from... - Don't want to know that, sir.

Mustn't give pupils intimate details of your own life, sir.

You might get trolled.

And believe me, this town's troll heaven.

Really? Oh, thanks for the heads-up, girls.

- I'll bear that in mind. - Posh car for a teacher, that, sir.

- Is it? - On your salary.

- Miss Keane! - Oh! You're here!

Hey!

How have you been?

- Good. How are you? - Missy Booth in school.

How's your mum?

How are you?

Just wish I hadn't dropped out last year.

Gonna be in class with my little sister now.

You had a tough time.

I'm glad you came back.

I'd give you a hug, if only the school'd let me in

- and I weren't already in trouble. - How come you're in trouble?

Cos I'm late and I'm wearing flip-flops!

And I have to let you know how proud I am

of this team and all the work we've done so far.

But today, today is our chance to prove ourselves...

I know it's a long shot, but does anyone have a spare pair of shoes?

Today is the day that we prove ourselves to the kids

and to the community,

both of which are equally important to me and this school,

and I think to all of us.

That's it, really. It's your day.

If you haven't introduced yourselves to each other...

Sammy.

What are you doing here?

- Are you a teacher? - No, of course I'm not a teacher.

I'm community liaison.

I'm loving this.

Come here.

Why weren't you hugging me back?

- I'm just surprised to see you, that's all. - YOU'RE surprised?

This is my town. Where have you been?

I haven't seen you for years.

I like your shoes.

- You're not pleased to see me. - I am.

It's nearly 8:30.

Flights and that, I got stuck.

Right, so you weren't at inset day, you don't reply to your e-mails,

and what is that? What is that with the feet?

Me backpacked got nicked.

Getting emergency documents isn't easy, Mand.

It's Mrs Carter now. I am the headteacher.

All right, all right. Calm down.

- You knew I'd be here. - Backpacking?

Come on.

I've got to go. I'll see you later.

- It's not your school, it's our school. - All right, settle down, year 11.

Settle down, please.

Excuse me. I'll just wait until you've finished then, shall I?

- Sorry, sir. - OK. Thank you.

Thank you.

- My name is Mr Bell. - End.

Very good. Very good.

Right, when I point to yous,

I want you to shout your names loud and proud.

- Go. - Hayley Booth.

Razia Paracha.

- Missy BOOTH! - Like it.

- Go. - Tahira Abad.

- Very good. Zane. - Zane Younis!

- Name. - Abdullah bin Kevin.

- Are you stupid?! - Are you mad?

Sit down, please.

Are you lot on steroids? Sit down.

All right, joker. What's your real name?

It is my real name. I'm a revert.

- Pervert more like. - Don't take the mick.

His name is Jordan Wilson, and he's a wind-up.

All right. Jordan Wilson Wind-Up.

Good morning, students.

Year 11, 12 and 13 assembly

in the main hall will commence in ten minutes.

Today is the day when two completely segregated schools,

Stanley Nunn High School and St Jerome Community College...

- Put it away. - ... start a new life together.

We will not require improvement.

We will not settle for good.

Together, we can be outstanding.

Thank you, Mrs Carter.

Hello, Ackley Bridge.

For those of you who don't know me,

I am the school sponsor, Sadiq Nawaz.

Me and Mrs Carter have worked closely together

in the planning of this merger school,

and have made an effort

to delve deeper into one another's cultures.

Ooh-la-la!

Over the summer, Mrs Carter accompanied myself

and some other governors on a trip to Pakistan.

Pakistan!

She learned a lot of things.

We hope our friendship can be an example to this school,

- and to you all. - Oi.

What are you smiling for?

_

_

_

What do you think you're doing?

That's out of order!

Get him!

He's talking about white girls, too, you know!

- Get him! - What are you doing, Jordan?

- What an idiot. - Why are you

- doing that? - What are you doing?

Do you think it's funny?

What were you thinking?

- It's not funny. - Yeah, it is, it's well funny.

Don't encourage him.

You'll be laughing on the other side of your face when you get in there!

If it were another kid,

an Asian kid, would you be letting him back in?

Was it stupid? Yes. Is he a wind-up? Yes.

But since when do we give up on kids that easily, eh?

Isn't this a matter for the board?

You know what, a school sponsor doesn't actually get to decide

- who stays in school and who doesn't. - Nor does the PE department.

- Jordan Wilson is just... - Is what?

You don't know the kid, right.

What are you trying to help him out for?

I'm not trying to help him out,