Buy Waterloo Road

Acting head-teacher Jack Rimmer hires Oxbridge graduate Andrew Treneman, hoping he can improve their failing status and bring them back from the bottom of the league tables. Colleagues Tom and Lorna tie the knot - but the groom ends up kissing someone who isn't his new wife.
Hide description ▲

Headmaster Jack is still regretting his night of passion with flirty French teacher Steph, but is pleasantly surprised when her class improves its grades. Meanwhile, Chlo is terrified she and her boyfriend Donte will end up behind bars for the crash that killed their friend Adam. As the drama continues, the pupils think its hilarious when a fluffy bunny climbs onto the roof of the school. But Izzie is mortified when she realises its her ex-husband, Jimmy. He wants access to his kids and he's not getting down until she agrees. Tom's suspicions about Lorna's miscarriage are increasing and he confronts her, but it seems their marriage is in serious trouble. Elsewhere, Donte and Chlo think if they both own up to causing the crash, their pleas will cancel each other out - but will it work?
Hide description ▲

Zak Walker is once again late for school and Head of English, Grantly Budgen has had enough of his tardiness. He confides in Andrew that he thinks Zak's problem could be drug related. But when Zak does a runner from detention, Andrew and Kim are forced to look into the matter. Could he really be an addict? Chlo is sticking to the pact she made with Donte. She insists that she was driving on the night of the crash, and what's more, she's going to tell the police. But neither the police nor Izzie believe her, so Chlo has to resort to desperate measures in order to convince everyone that she's serious.
Hide description ▲

An education inspector pays a visit and brings bad news regarding the school's future. Jack decides the time has come to let Steph go, but his task doesn't quite go to plan when she threatens him to rethink his actions. Meanwhile, Tom and Izzie struggle to fight their feelings for each other and things eventually come to a head when they find themselves alone.
Hide description ▲

This synopsis is too short and may not include the required detailed description of the entire plot. We normally require that synopses be at least 10 lines long. If you have seen this title, please help us by improving and expanding this synopsis. theres a spelling bee on at the school and everyone finds out rachel was a prostitute. then the school blows up and people are stuck in the school chlo, divina, bolton and others. rachel goes in to find everyone but then gets knocked out and stuck in the fire. chlo is locked in the loos so donte goes to save her with tom. bolton saves loads of people but divina has to go to hospital.
Hide description ▲

This synopsis is too short and may not include the required detailed description of the entire plot. We normally require that synopses be at least 10 lines long. If you have seen this title, please help us by improving and expanding this synopsis. Finn Sharkey tests Chris' outer limits. Sambuca and Bolton bond after a work experience mishap.
Hide description ▲

This synopsis is too short and may not include the required detailed description of the entire plot. We normally require that synopses be at least 10 lines long. If you have seen this title, please help us by improving and expanding this synopsis. Finn Sharkey supplies "legal high" drugs into Waterloo Road with disastrous consequences.
Hide description ▲

We open with a pre-recorded bit, in which Jane Lynch sits down with the faux-President of Television, Leonard Nimoy, who tells her that men find her woman-ish and women find her man-ish. (Alec Baldwin had taped this, but quit when Fox cut a News Corp joke. It's hard not to think Baldwin's comedic timing might have served the bit better than Nimoy's.)Leonard reminds her not to let the audience know that all the stars all live together in a tiny apartment building, which he reveals behind the curtain. Yes, it's weird. Then it's time for the song, about the magic of television as Jane wanders through.Jeremy Piven and "Lloyd" (Rex Lee) join for a few dance moves, after which Piven wonders what he's doing. "I'm not even on anymore!" Jane sings about TV crime shows and we see Kevin Nealon, then Eric Dane from "Grey's Anatomy" as she sings about patients being cured in a week. Jane next wanders into "The Big Bang Theory", then by Marcel from "Top Chef", Randy Jackson from "American Idol," the boys from "Myth Busters" and up to Ron from "Parks and Rec" who tells her to stop singing."I know this seems stupid and shlocky, and already seems overly long, but it's the Emmys, c'mon! Get on board," Jane tells him.And then she sings some more, not taking her own analysis to heart, walking by Andy Richter and the cast of "Mad Men". She tells them about the future, including that people can watch TV on their phones and fast forward through commercials. Don Draper kicks her out.There's a line about on TV high school students look roughly 24 as she walks by a few "Friday Night Lights"ers in a locker room.Then it's Jane into a rally hosted by her "Glee" alter-ego, Sue Sylvester, whom she promptly slushies.Then we're into the auditorium, where the number continues, as Jane sings about TV as a vast wonderland. ("Except for HBO, it's not TV")The dancers lift her in the air for the big finish. "Try doing that in triple-Spanx," she says. She surveys the audience, picking out her "nodding friends," and noting that "Jon Hamm and I are at 'finger-pistols'."Jane introduces "The Emmy Tones," some actors she roped into joining her, including Zachary Levi, Cobie Smulders, Taraji Henson, Kate Flannery, Wilmer Valderrama and Joel McHale, presumably friends she had some dirt on. They sing to introduce the first comedy category. The audience doesn't seem to know what to do with it, but at least is happy to know what Wilmer Valderrama is up to.We see seconds-long clips from a slew of shows, then it's on to Jimmys Fallon and Kimmel.Kimmel congratulates Fallon on his nomination, then asks if he wrote a speech. Fallon says no, because they all know Jon Stewart is going to win. Kimmel then tackles him him to the ground, wresting the prepared speech from his pocket. It contains "notes to self" such as crying on cue and holding the statue like it's the "Lion King" baby.On to best supporting actress in a comedy, Jane Lynch's category. Julie Bowen from "Modern Family" wins."I don't know what I'm going to talk about next week in therapy now," she says, struggling to compose herself.Juliana Margulies is out next to present "Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy", deadpanning that she's the funniest woman in TV. She notes the category features "that kid from 'Glee' and that guy from 'Pretty in Pink' and four guys from 'Modern Family," she says.The winner is: Ty Burrell from "Modern Family". He mentions that his dad passed away before he had success and he wonders what he'd think of the fact he goes to work every day in full make-up. Then he thanks all his costars and mentions his dad again. "If he were here tonight, I think he would say... 'But why the make-up?'." His dad would like his wife and be impressed that he gets to learn every day, "in the end I think he'd feel like, 'Couldn't you just wear a little powder? Why do you have to look like a harlot?'"Jane welcomes us back and introduces controversial Golden Globes host Ricky Gervais, via satellite. He apologizes that he couldn't be there, and says he wasn't allowed after the Globes. This sets up his bit, that he was warned he'll be edited if he says anything controversial. Some quick cuts ensue, including one that has him calling Fox fantastic in splices.He intros the nominees for "Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series". The Emmy goes to Michael Alan Spiller for "Modern Family".Zooey Deschanel and Will Arnett are up to present comedy writing. The winners are Steven Levitan and Jeffrey Richman of "Modern Family." The Steven mentions the episode with the kids walking in on their parents came from real life (his wife's eye roll in the audience gets the biggest laugh of the speech).That's four awards, all to the same ABC show. Fox, which is airing the telecast, must be thrilled.Jane welcomes us back to "The Modern Family Awards". She introduces the next presenter, saying she was his therapist for many years "and apparently I suck." Ladies and Gentlemen, Charlie Sheen, to present "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series", his old category. He addresses his former "Two and a Half Men" costars, and says from the bottom of his heart, he wishes them continued success. There is no punchline, but plenty of awkward.The winner is Jim Parsons from "The Big Bang Theory". (The announcer who has been offering banal facts as the winners walk up mentions that he eats a lot of peanut butter.)"Oh this is so odd for so many reasons," says the CBS star, going on to not make much more sense as Sheen, the former CBS star, lurks behind him.Sofia Vergara and Rob Lowe are out next for "Outstanding Lead Actress in Comedy", they start with Amy Poehler from "Parks & Recreation" and she takes the stage. She's joined by Melissa McCarthy, Martha Plimpton, Edie Falco,Tina Fey and Laura Linney. They hold hold hands like beauty queens and wait. They get a standing ovation as everyone tries to figure out if the bit was planned.The winner is Melissa McCarthy from "Mike and Molly" who can fairly clearly be seen to say "holy s---" when her name is announced. She's presented with roses and a tiara to go with her award."Holy smokes!" she says, acknowledging her sister in the audience. She promises to carry CBS prez Nina Tassler and Les Moonves around later that night.We return to a pre-recorded bit with stars from "The Office" talking about the worst part of their job. Then others stop by, like Jesse (Aaron Paul from "Breaking Bad") to bring Creed a bag. He takes it, announcing: "Hey guys, my crystal meth is here!"Kim Kardashian doesn't understand the question and wonders if she's pronouncing "work" right."The Office" mates confer and decide the new boss doesn't seem right, Andy goes to talk to him and finds Ashton Kutcher, wondering if the "beautiful drifter" is in the wrong place.Kutcher plays dumb. "I was wondering where the half man was," he says.The Emmy Tones are back to sing awkwardly about the new combined reality and variety category.Jane Lynch returns. "Everyone was asking me if I have a gay agenda for hosting, and actually I do," she says, taking a list out of her pocket to read from. "Call Rachel Maddow and find out what time spinning is, take the pick-up in for an oil change - nah, I'll do that myself. And there was a third thing, but I must have left it in my fanny pack."David Spade and Kaley Cuoco are out next to introduce best outstanding reality competition. (She towers over him.) The Emmy goes to "Amazing Race" again. (The announcer says it's a "race to the podium". Groan.)On to best writing for a variety, music or comedy series. The Colbert Report writers shout their name all at once, SNL's scroll with pictures of Justin Timberlake, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon rolls with puppies dressed up, Jon Stewart's crew does mock up of Newsweek's cover and Conan O'Brien pulls one name from a hat - his."The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" wins. It's the show's seventh win. The writers read a stilted thank you, the joke of which is that Jon Stewart usually proofs their writing, but not this time.Jane wanders the audience, talking to the camera, mentioning that after the show the clothes come off and it's a big sweaty pile. She introduces "The Lonely Island" and Michael Bolton. They're on to the Bolton doing captain Jack Sparrow, then Ed Helms, John Stamos and Maya Rudolph doing the "D--- in a box" guys singing "It's Not Gay if It's in a Threeway" (might have to YouTube that for it to make sense). Then Akon comes out singing about just having sex in front of a giant American Flag.Lea Michele and Ian Somerhalder are out next to introduce best directing for variety, music or comedy series. The winner is Don Roy King for the "Saturday Night Live" episode with Justin Timberlake and Lady Gaga.Anna Paquin and Scott Caan introduce outstanding comedy, variety series, mentioning that "The Daily Show" has won eight years in a row. It wins again.Jon Stewart is taller than Scott Caan.He gives a special nod to Colbert.More Emmy Tones, introducing drama clips.Jon Cryer and Ashton Kutcher are out next to present best writing for a drama. Kutcher clarifies that he is not Charlie Sheen and doesn't think Cryer is a troll. The Emmy goes to Jason Katims for "Friday Night Lights".He reads from notes, thanking the cast and crew and his family, ending with the predictable "clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose."The award for outstanding supporting actress in a drama series is next. Margo Martindale wins for "Justified". When she takes careful steps up the stage, Ed O'Neill rushes from the audience to help her."Sometimes, things just take time," she says through tears. Her co-stars in the audience are in tears, too. She thanks creator Graham Yost, even though he killed her.Loretta Devine and Paul Crane are out to present drama directing. The winner is Martin Scorsese for "Boardwalk Empire", his first Emmy win.He sees the clock ticking down and resolves to talk a little fast, rattling off names of folks at HBO and his crew.Kerry Washington and Jason O'Mara are out next delivering a rough bit on the side effects of winning an Emmy before "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series".The winner is Peter Dinklage from "Game of Thrones". He thanks his show creators, somewhat calmly. He thanks his dog sitter named Kitty for taking care of his dog Kevin back in New York.When we return, Anderson Cooper does a fake 360 report about a woman behind the New Jersey TV trend, Donatella, Alberghetti Mangiana D'Borgia, or Jane Lynch in a black win and tons of eye make up. She takes credit for the fact 50 percent of all TV is set in Jersey, including "Sarah Palin's Alaska."The kids from "Jersey Shore" give interviews. "Before I met Donatella, I was just Nicole, a Harvard undergrad. And now I'm Snooki," Snooki attests."She's like a mother to me, because she killed my mother," Pauly says.Brian Cranston and Katie Holmes are up next for "Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series". The winner is...Julianna Marguiles for "The Good Wife".She addresses her fellow nominees, saying it's a privilege to be among them. She thanks her creators and writers and the CBS folk, "thank you for allowing us to be the show that we are." She tells her husband "I love being your 'good wife' and I'm so grateful you have no political aspirations."The stars of "Charlie's Angels" are out next with former "Angel" Drew Barrymore to introduce best actor.The winner is...Kyle Chandler. Minka Kelly, his former costar, presents him with the award. "I knew for a fact that I would not be standing here, so I did not write anything. And now I'm starting to worry," he says, before thanking his reps and casting director and all the people who filled the stands around Texas.The Emmy Tones sing about mini-series and movies before being interrupted by LL Cool J rapping over them. In a change of pace for him, he does not remove his shirt.Jane Lynch returns with: "A lot of people wonder why I'm a lesbian. Ladies and gentlemen, the cast of 'Entourage'." They're introducing the miniseries, movie or special - all of the nominees from HBO or PBS. The Emmy goes to Julian Fellowes for "Downton Abbey" on PBS. (The insipid announcer says Julian is British and from England.)Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries goes to Maggie Smith, who is not in attendance.The accountants from Ernst & Young are out next, but it's really Jane Lynch and Paula Abdul."Me, an accountant? I can barely balance my checkbook," Lynch says."I can barely balance," Abdul offers.Jane introduces the real guys, then it's on to Melissa McCarthy and Amy Poehler, who note what a good year it was for male roles. They congratulate them on finally breaking through the glass ceiling and tell them not to be afraid to show a little skin.The introduce lead actor in a miniseries, which goes to Barry Pepper. He is also not there. On to directing in the category.The winner is Brian Percival for "Downton Abbey". Uses his acceptance speech as a chance to make sure your DVR is set up to record the premieres this week. He pretty much just says thanks.The chairman of the Television Academy of Arts and Science is out next for the In Memoriam segment, including Stephen J. Cannell. Some guys sing "Hallelujah" as the names roll including Harold Gould, Peter Falk, James Arness, Blake Edwards, Barbara Billingsley, Leslie Nielsen, Tom Bosley, Ryan Dunn, "Uncle Frank", Andy Whitfield, Jill Clayburgh, Laura Ziskin and Bubba Smith.Anna Torv and David Boreanaz are out next to present best supporting actor in a miniseries or movie (Torv also acknowledges the singers were the Canadian Tenors).The winner is Guy Pearce for "Mildred Pierce"."It was really a delightful experience making Mildred Pierce, I got to have sex with Kate Winslet every day...To Kate, thank you for allowing me to insert myself into your world of Mildred, and to my wife Kate who had to listen to me talk about that every day when I came home from work," he says.Hugh Laurie and Claire Danes are up next to present outstanding actress in a miniseries.The winner is Kate Winslet for "Mildred Pierce." She hugs her costars and takes the stage, saying she didn't think they were going to win anything. She thanks the cast and her own mother, saying it doesn't matter how old you get, you always need your "mum."Jane comes back, noting that so many movies stars are doing TV these days that TV stars have to go do voices for video games, which are then made into movies, staring the very people who are putting the TV stars out of work in the first place. "Hakuna matata, my friends. That's the circle of life," she says.Out next is Don Cheadle, for Outstanding Mini-Series or Movie. "Downton Abbey" wins. Julian Fellowes says it's hard to know what will be a hit, but this evening validates that something did.Maria Bello and William H. Macy are out next for Outstanding Drama Series. The nominees are Boardwalk Empire, Dexter, Friday Night Lights, Game of Thrones, The Good Wife and Mad Men.The Emmy goes to "Mad Men." Again. Fourth year in a row.Creator Matthew Weiner accepts. He says he didn't think they were going to win, but thanks AMC and the fans and his writing staff. "We all get to work tomorrow and that's all we ever want to do. For us and our families, this is an incredible dream," he says.Gwyneth Paltrow is up next to present Outstanding Comedy."Ok, the prompter's down, so I'm going to wing it: Here are the nominees for best comedy series," she says, showing no great skill at improv. The nominees are The Big Bang Theory, Glee, Modern Family, The Office, Parks and Recreation and 30 Rock.The Emmy goes to "Modern Family" for the second year in a row.Steven Levitan says that everyone on the stage knows what it's like to have a show tank, so they especially appreciate it. He takes special note of the kids in the cast. "'Modern Family' was this close to being animated, that's how much we didn't want to work with kids," he says, before praising them.He also mentions a gay couple who approached them on location last year and thanked them for teaching people tolerance. Levitan says they are doing that. "We are showing the world that there is absolutely nothing wrong with a loving committed relationship between an old man and a hot young woman, and looking around this room tonight I see many of you agree," he says."Thank you all very, very much," he says.Jane comes back to sign off, with the Emmy Tones, who can at least be glad their faces were never shown in close-up.
Hide description ▲

Dedicated to Denzil,killed by the drunken lorry driver who put Tariq in a wheelchair,the new school opens though Grantly and several pupils have misgivings about the move. Incumbent staff number strict English teacher Christine Mulgrew,whose sullen son Connor is a new pupil and old school history teacher Audrey McFall. Connor's recalcitrant behaviour,unknown to everybody else,is caused by his mother's fondness for drink. Jade and Drew,supposed half siblings, enrol but it becomes apparent that they are an item who have absconded from a care home. Jade genuinely wants an education but collapses in the school as she is pregnant by Drew. She refuses to take off with him again and he is arrested after threatening Michael. Michael himself is confronted in public by Gerard Findlay,head of a rival school,who accuses him of poaching staff and pupils.
Hide description ▲

Michael's efforts to call a truce with Gerard Findlay are vitiated when Grantly interrupts their meeting to protest that Gerard's pupils have vandalised his car. Ultimately however the two older men ally as Gerard implies to Grantly that he knows a secret from Michael's past. Tom is more concerned with the disruptive behaviour of Congolese Lula Tsibi at Denzil's memorial ceremony. Her uncle Lionel has told her that she is possessed by a demon and must be exorcised though Tom learns he is playing on Lula's belief that she was responsible for her father's death and gets Lula's mother on side to prevent the exorcism and banish Lionel and his negative superstitions. Connor takes drastic action to expose his mother's alcoholism though he gets no thanks for it whilst Madi turns up to join Sian and Josh tries to encourage the wheelchair-bound Tariq to entertain outside activities.
Hide description ▲

As the feud between Havelock,Gerard Findlay's school,and Waterloo Road continues Findlay posts twenty-five year old press cuttings around the school describing how the young Michael Byrne attacked his father and left him for dead. The two heads confront each other and Findlay slips whilst trying to hit Michael,who later confesses to Sian that he had only been defending his mother against his violent father. Tariq grows more despairing about his handicap and engineers a fight between ex-Havelock pupil Angus Hancock and Phoenix,to create a diversion during which he slips away and tries to drown himself. He is rescued bu Michael who gives him self worth and he returns to Waterloo Road to stop the fight. Things worsen between Christine and Callum with only Audrey suspecting that Christine is trying to scapegoat the boy for her own shortcomings.
Hide description ▲

Imogen Stewart, a hearing-impaired student is embarrassed when her flirtatious mother Sally arrives to take charge of a sponsored rowing marathon to buy Tariq a kayak. Sally gate-crashes Imogen's birthday party ,where she and Angus are found in a state of undress in a bedroom though,when Sally explains her guilt over her view that she caused Imogen's deafness following a bout of meningitis there is some understanding reached. Fort Connor,however,whilst getting close to Imogen,things only get worse as he gets drunk and torches the basement. Whilst he is not caught for the arson Christine successfully presents him to Michael as a drunk and a delinquent. As parents over-react to Findlay's stories discrediting Michael,taking children out of Waterloo Road,Sian calls on Billy,Michael's father to set the record straight. Michael rejects him but again offers to work with Findlay in cooperation.
Hide description ▲

The local paper publishes a damning report on Havelock and Findlay's slovenly attitude on the day the school is competing in a quiz and road race with Watrloo Road. Havelock's star athlete Liberty Gordon sold the story and asks ex-Havelock teacher Audrey to get her into Waterloo Road. At the quiz Waterloo Road thrashes Havelock and,though Liberty wins the race,she is seen to be taking drugs - actually her invalid mother's pain-killers as she believes she is arthritic. Findlay is discredited as he was aware of the drugs and after a confrontation with Audrey when he loses it agrees Liberty should change schools. Janeece continues to exploit Daniel as a child minder for her baby Cheryl,dumping her on him in class whilst Connor believes he has got through to Christine when she agrees to seeing a doctor after falling downstairs drunk. Sian promises Billy,who is terminally ill,she will reconcile him with Michael and Scout is the victim of a nasty hoax by fellow pupil Rhiannon.
Hide description ▲

Christine visits a doctor,who tells her she has alcoholic hepatitis. Trying to go cold turkey is too much for her and she lashes out at Phoenix Taylor in class but covers her tracks by claiming she was once attacked by a boy who resembled Phoenix. Janeece puts her work as Lorraine's assistant above her school duties and care of Cheryl,leading to the social services being involved,due to Daniel's concern. Janeece accuses him of betrayal but ultimately sees that he acted for the best. She suggests they become a couple but he is not convinced that it would work and she leaves the area to live with her mother. Maggie discovers that Scout is being bullied by Rhiannon,whose plans for revenge on the dinner lady by doctoring canteen food goes disastrously wrong. As Michael launches an anti-bullying campaign Sian accuses him of hypocrisy by snubbing his father,revealing that Billy is terminally ill. Michael does visit but only to say that he is rejecting Billy forever.
Hide description ▲

Maggie tells Grantly the wedding is off after she receives a threatening call from a man called Trevor. Helped by Scout and Phoenix Grantly tracks down Trevor,who claims he is still married to Maggie and wants three thousand pounds to leave them alone. Fortunately the pupils help Grantly organize a trap,forcing Trevor to back off,and the wedding goes ahead. Sian starts dating Ray Keats,who is giving work experience seminars at the school,incurring the jealousy of Madi,who throws herself at him,the pair being caught kissing by Sian,who consequently dumps Ray. However she finds out that Madi pulled the same stunt with her mother's boyfriend. Josh,who does well in the seminars,leaves for Manchester and a job arranged for him by Lorraine whilst Michael,following a conversation with Tom about fathers and sons,pays another visit to Billy,this one more cordial.
Hide description ▲

Kai Murra is a single father who lives an austere Freegan life,forbidding his daughter Morag and her little brother the use of mobile phones,television and cinema visits. He regards Lorraine's competition to design a school bench as blatantly commercial and destroys Morag's effort. However Tom helps her make another,which wins but Murray arrives and threatens to take Morag out of the school. Ultimately he proves he is open to compromise and Michael,likewise,pays another visit to his father - who asks him to help him die. When Christine neglects to mark her class's coursework due to her alcoholism Connor marks the papers but Audrey spots discrepancies and mentions it to Christine,who reports her to Michael for bullying. Incensed at seeing his mother back on the bottle Connor goes to torch all the benches in the contest but stops when he hears somebody coming. Madi leaves to work on a cruise ship whilst Daniel,applying to be a foster parent,discovers that cheeky but clever new boy Kevin is in care.
Hide description ▲

Connor believes his mother's lies about Audrey and,to cheer him up, Kevin burns a book belonging to Audrey's family. However,seeing Christine's glee at Audrey's distress makes Connor realise that she is in the wrong. At a mediation meeting Christine's open hostility to Audrey and Audrey's dignified response also gives Sian cause for doubt over Christine's claims against the older teacher. Lorraine,as a favour to their mother,brings in her sister Sonya as a replacement for Janeece. She is not especially efficient but endears herself to Audrey putting out the fire and comforting her afterwards. Audrey also gains Rhiannon's confidence when she learns that the girl is into self-harm because of being over-weight and even reconciles her with Scout,as well as persuading Michael not to exclude Kevin when he admits to the arson. Michael himself agrees to helping his father die 'when the time comes .'
Hide description ▲

It's the end of term and Lorraine considers excluding Phoenix Taylor for his poor results but is persuaded by Michael and the example of Tariq to set up a referral unit for weaker students in the area instead. The Budgens prepare for their honeymoon whilst Kevin asks Daniel to be his foster father and Imogen and Connor intend to run away together though Christine scuppers their plan and lashes out at Imogen. In retaliation Connor shows the other teachers the evidence of her drinking as well as starting another fire,which injures Imogen. However Christine takes the blame,claiming it was an accident,and attends Alcoholics Anonymous. Michael,ton the other hand,is caught by Billy's nurse helping him to end his life and is arrested for culpable homicide.
Hide description ▲

As the new term starts Sian learns that she is to be a prosecution witness against Michael when he stands trial for killing his father. The opening of the referral unit,run by Nikki Boston, presents a problem as the unruly Barry children are enrolled,spawn of a jail-bird and his mouthy wife. Barry,the son,is soon at odds with fellow pupil Jack McAllister as he has had sex with Jack's needy mother and posted photos of it around the school. Barry also steals Nikki's car but she suspects Scout,with whom she has fallen out over a misunderstanding. At least Barry's younger sister Kacey proves to be an unusual asset to the school football team. Reformed alcoholic Christine apologizes to Imogen,scarred in the fire, but Connor,ashamed of his actions as the real arsonist,cannot bring himself to seeing Imogen,who suspects Christine is keeping them apart.
Hide description ▲

Christine brings a reluctant Connor to school though he is too ashamed to face Imogen. The Taylor brothers win two hundred thousand pounds on the lottery,which brings their father Nelson to the school. Phoenix believes he is only there for a hand-out as his company is failing but Harley persuades him that they should invest in Nelson's business and Phoenix leaves to work with his father. Michael and Christine get close after he learns that he will not face court action over his father's death but the feud between Scout and Nikki grows as Nikki sees Scout with her hand-bag,stolen along with her car by Barry Barry.
Hide description ▲

On Connor's birthday he takes Kevin's advice and reconciles with Imogen but does not admit to starting the fire. Imogen is annoyed that Dynasty is considering breast implants to work as a pole dancer in a local club when she herself can have no further plastic surgery. Audrey attempts to block Dynasty's efforts to work at the club,leading to a showdown with Carol,but Dynasty eventually realises that Carol is exploiting her and turns the job down in favour of staying at school. As a result she and Imogen become friends. Things hot up between Christine and Michael though Barry Barry steals and sells Lorraine's Ferrari and Nikki blames Scout. Tom however sticks up for Scout and sees that Nikki is picking on her.
Hide description ▲

Christine is shocked when ex-husband Joe turns up,wanting her to sign a document relinquishing her right to a legacy from his father. She reluctantly lets him see Connor,who,in view of his mother's past lies,wants to go with Joe but it turns out that Connor is not his son as Christine was in fact raped by Joe's father. After being told this Joe leaves without the boy and Connor also finds out as he overhears Christine telling Michael. He also plucks up the courage to tell Imogen the truth about the fire but she is appalled and rejects him. After Lorraine's car is found and the police question Barry Barry Nikki comes to see who stole her vehicle - though there is no proof - and apologizes publicly to Scout. Sian arranges for the Barrys to be taught separately as Barry is a bad influence on his sisters.
Hide description ▲

Daniel is annoyed that Kevin went behind his back to enter - and win - a contest to design a robot....
Hide description ▲

Connor is put on probation and transferred to the P.R.U. but feelings run high against him and a girl gang,led by Dynasty,set on him,Imogen coming to his rescue after which they finally reconcile. Former pupil Bolton Smilie,now a soldier who has served in Afghanistan,comes to see Tom and is asked to give a speech to the school. He is however very nervous and it is a disaster. In fact he is a deserter,scared by his experiences in Afghanistan,and,when the military police are alerted,he takes Grantly and his class hostage at gunpoint though Grantly defuses the situation and disarms him. Bolton is arrested but Lorraine considers closing the P.R.U. unless it can produce good exam results. Written by
Hide description ▲

Maggie is dismayed to learn that the heavily pregnant Jade Fleming has put her unborn child up for adoption by restaurateurs Sarah and Kaz Winters and over-reacts,lying to Jade that the child's father,the imprisoned Drew,is against the adoption. An angry Jade runs off to the Winters,who return her in time for the P.R.U. presentation,where she delivers an impressive,impromptu rap and indeed the whole presentation goes well,with even Barry Barry behaving himself. Connor admits to Christine he knows she was raped by her father-in-law and this brings them closer,though she is annoyed by Michael's reaction to her false pregnancy scare. Connor also proposes marriage to Imogen now that they are back together. Written by
Hide description ▲

Connor gives Imogen an engagement ring but she is not keen for them to go public and instead gives him a necklace as a love token. They also contrive to get Christine and Michael back together. Kacey is due to play for the soccer team in a cup final but Michael discovers that mixed teams are nor allowed and orders Tom to pull her from the team. Tom defies him but after Kacey has scored the winning goal tomboy new pupil Zoe - who had previously mistaken her for a boy - kisses her,leading Barry Barry to make an ignorant outburst exposing the deception. However Zoe has spotted that Kacey really wishes she was a boy and,though staff and the football team are supportive,her selfish brother accuses her of being a Lesbian and a pervert. Sian rebukes him and,seeing this as a challenge to his perceived masculinity,he follows her home to get revenge. Written by
Hide description ▲

Sian calls the Barry family in for a discussion on Kacey's gender issues but with only Dynasty being positive it is a failure. Barry Barry,having broken into Sian's flat and stolen a photo of her kissing Michael,posts it around the school which goads Sian into slapping him. Although the other pupils take her side and claim that they hit him Sian resigns though before she goes she encourages Kacey's mother to be more understanding of her daughter. Christine,annoyed that Michael still appears to have feelings for Sian,is further displeased to find Connor's hidden engagement ring and forbids him to marry Imogen,an act which propels them to aim to marry in secret. Scout is unhappy when her mother Tina,just out of jail and drunk,turns up at the school gates but the whole school is addicted to Chalk And Cheese,a video game devised by Kevin and Daniel. Even Lorraine succumbs and offers to help them market it. Written by
Hide description ▲

Final exams loom on the last day of term. Michael has stayed the night with Christine but,to her annoyance,does not want their affair to be public knowledge. Christine decides she needs more time with Connor and organizes a trip to Paris,unaware that the boy is secretly marrying Imogen. Scout's mother Tina is taken ill,having stolen items from the school house which she aimed to sell to finance a flat with her daughter. She dies repentant and Scout,seeing her in a different light,is inspired to sit her exam and do well. Lorraine arranges a meeting with the head of a computer firm to market Kevin and Daniel's game Chalk and Cheese. Daniel is initially reluctant to attend but ends up being offered a job in computing in London,which Kevin persuades him to take. As the day ends Kacey prepares for her gender identity course whilst Michael admits his feelings for Christine,who is still unaware that she has a daughter-in-law but accepts when Michael asks to take Connor's place on the Paris trip. Grantly is rushed to hospital where he receives bad news. Written by
Hide description ▲

Returning from holiday with Christine - who is still unaware that she has a daughter-in-law - Michael is annoyed that Lorraine has gone behind his back to appoint Nikki as the new deputy head. After Lorraine has confided monetary problems regarding the school to Nikki the two women become rather more than friends. Grantly,on dialysis but anxious to keep working,is displeased that Maggie has told everybody of his kidney failure but they are sympathetic. He needs a transplant and Maggie is a willing donor but her diabetes causes a problem. Snide Barry Barry is typically intolerant with Kacey wanting to be known as Robbie but finds a potential drug dealer in pale,silent Fergal Doherty,who has arrived from Londonderry with his mother. To Lula's horror Harley buys pills from Fergal and almost dies but is saved by Ndile, a man whom Audrey has brought back from her African trip. It becomes apparent that the Dohertys left Ulster because the boy's drug dealing made him powerful enemies and a vengeful father arrives at the school,forcing a show-down before Fergal gives himself up to the police. Written by
Hide description ▲

Lorraine brings in budget cuts which could well mean a depletion in staff. Maggie is angry that,as part of the cuts, she will be forced to tender for the canteen contract,her rival being Usman Haq,whose son is dating Rhiannon. Maggie believes that the Haqs are using Rhiannon in order to find out her strategy for the tender and angry words are exchanged. Granthly however acts as peace-making reconciling Rhiannon and Maggie - who gets the contract whilst the Haqs become her suppliers. Christine and Connor move in with Michael but Connor is frustrated that Imogen is not allowed to stay overnight with him. Ndale is taken on as the school's maintenance man amidst gossip and speculation that he is Audrey's toy boy whilst Maggie asks for a donor for Grantly in the staff-room. Written by
Hide description ▲

Thuggish Steve-O Malone,Dynasty's former boyfriend,just out of gaol,arrives at the school and takes over Barry Barry's usury racket. He wants Dynasty to return to Liverpool with him. She is tempted but when she catches him stealing school computers she changes her mind,returning the computers and dumping him in favour of Kevin. However Malone sees them kissing and threatens Kevin to stay away. Lorraine calls a meeting where she proposes cut-backs,with under-subscribed subjects being axed. Audrey's history course seems a likely casualty but Audrey works hard to keep her job though she is unaware that Ndale and Sonya are getting intimate. Grantly is rushed to hospital and lies in a coma,prompting Tom to put himself forward as a kidney donor. Written by
Hide description ▲

Sonya visits her mother,Alzheimers sufferer Maureen in her care home and is upset when she calls her Lorraine. Things get worse when Ndale tells her the kiss was a one-off and he really loves Audrey (who later accepts his marriage proposal) and her attempt to peddle beauty products to pupils ends in disaster. She gives notice but Audrey - unaware of what happened with Ndale - talks her out of it and ultimately she accepts that she would rather be herself than try to emulate her sister.After Lorraine visits Maureen,who tells her that,although she is confused over Sonya's identity,she appreciates her regular visits,the sisters reconcile. Tom's son Josh returns to give a talk,seemingly in the money but actually in debt with his credit cards. He is initially disapproving of his father's offer to help Grantly until Maggie reminds him that Grantly would otherwise be dead and agrees to accept his father's advice over clearing his debts. Malone steps up his demands on Connor,who has foolishly bought a van with money borrowed from Barry Barry, and which Malone torches whilst threatening Imogen. Written by
Hide description ▲

Dynasty stays over with Kevin but they get a rude awakening when Malone breaks in and threatens Kevin. To spare her new boyfriend being beaten up Dynasty reluctantly returns to Malone but is very unhappy. Michael pays off Connor's debt but Malone breaks into the house and discovers Connor's marriage certificate . New science teacher - and vegan - Esther Fairclough strikes a chord with Lula as both are into animal rights. However Lula organizes a protest which gets into trouble before Esther tells her that Lorraine has money invested in a local laboratory which does animal testing. Audrey and Ndale announce their engagement. Everybody is happy for them except Sonya,who feels left out. Written by
Hide description ▲

Audrey asks Sonya to help organize her wedding to Ndale - unaware that Ndale has told Sonya he is only marrying Audrey to stay in the country. Lorraine tells Michael she wants drastic budget cuts and to make Waterloo Road a fee-paying school,shocking him when he sees that she intends to take in pupils from private schools. When he protests she replaces him as head with Nikki. Kevin realizes that Malone has put pressure on Dynasty to stay with him by forcing himself on her sexually. He persuades Connor,terrified that Malone will expose his marriage to Imogen,that they should form an unlikely alliance with Barry Barry to shoot Malone. However Dynasty confides in Christine that Malone raped her and he is arrested. Written by
Hide description ▲

Michael approaches the local council to take over and fund the school in the wake of Lorraine's plan to make it fee-paying,a move which causes a mass walk-out by staff. Chaos ensues. Newly-appointed head Nikki opposes Lorraine's view that Lula be suspended for protesting against the Nox pharmaceutical firm whilst Esther plots with Lula to tour the premises and find its weakness. Sarcastic supply teacher George Windsor annoys Lula and Nikki and Michael persuades the strikers to return to work. Sonya sends Audrey an anonymous note to reveal her fling with Ndale but Audrey still plans to go ahead with the wedding. However Maggie and Sonya learn that Ndale is already married and is using Audrey to bring his family to Britain. They inform Audrey and the wedding is cancelled ,her colleagues rallying round Audrey to cheer her. Christine is shocked to learn of Connor's marriage whilst the deranged Barry Barry over-reacts violently on hearing that Dynasty intends to move in with Kevin. Written by
Hide description ▲

Director of education Robert Bain is impressed when Michael gives him a tour of the school but,as it is not in financial difficulties,refuses council funding. Michael tries to remind Lorraine how the school was successful in giving opportunity to bright pupils,herself included,whose parents could not afford fees but she is adamant in sticking to her plan,alienating staff,including Nikki who resigns as head. Eventually Nikki persuades Lorraine to accept the take-over,by which time Michael decides to leave the school,to applause from the students,and Christine is appointed head. Lula attempts to attack Lorraine,after being refused a place on the tour of Nox,leading to Esther admitting that she used Lula and also resigning. Meanwhile Carol Barry tries in vain to persuade Dynasty to move out of Kevin's flat and return to live with her. Written by
Hide description ▲

On Christine's first day as head teacher the obnoxious George Windsor,now a permanent staff member,ruffles feathers whilst Imogen's mother Sally,irate at her daughter's marriage,threatens to take her out of school. Half the sixth form absent themselves as Dynasty challenges her mother's attitude on a live TV discussion programme. Carol tries to whip up feelings against Kevin but when his unpleasant mother Daisy is brought in and it transpires that she threw her ten year old son out to make way for her boyfriend Carol is incensed and hits Daisy. Chaos ensues before Christine stops transmission and Carol finally welcomes Kevin to her family. Back at school an empowered Christine deals with rebellious parents and persuades Sally to let the young marrieds stay with her. Christine invites Nikki to be her deputy but they are surprised to learn that Simon Lowsley has been appointed by the education authority as part of the takeover deal. At the hospital Maggie is preparing to switch off Grantly's life support when he apparently comes out of his coma. Written by
Hide description ▲

As Grantly is released from hospital the school prepares for a charity auction with proceeds going to kidney research. Grantly is reluctant to accept Tom's offer as a donor but changes his mind when Maggie threatens to leave him.Kyle Stack,discharged from a young offender unit,arrives at the school,claiming that he wants to complete his education. Christine and Tom vote to exclude him but Simon wants to give him a chance. Needless to say Barry Barry,believing himself to be a hard man and sensing a rival,picks a fight and Kyle runs away.On the evening of the auction,Kyle,feeling worthless,climbs onto the school roof and threatens to jump. Tom goes after him,which leads to somebody falling to his death. Written by
Hide description ▲

The school is still mourning the death of Tom, especially Kasey, who builds her own shrine to him but is encouraged to move on with the promise of boxing lessons by Nikki. Malodorous twins Lenny and Lisa Brown are enrolled at the school by their elder brother Larry, their guardian while their mother is in psychiatric care. Audrey is shocked at the deterioration in their appearance since she knew them at a previous school and, against Christine's wishes, visits their house, where she finds Larry is selling drugs. She rings the police and he is arrested, the twins moving into the school-house. Amiable Lenny is pleased to be in a warm, clean home but his vengeful sister determines to get even with Audrey. New science teacher Sue Spark has difficulty keeping order in the classroom but Simon dare not own up that she is his girl-friend whilst George pushes to have Mandarin on the syllabus, thus employing his wife, Princess. Written by don @ minifie-1
Hide description ▲

Seizing on her inability to keep order pupils led by Rhiannon and Dynasty taunt Sue about being an air hostess and she ends up locked in a store cupboard as the fire alarm is set off. Anxious to keep their relationship secret Simon suggests she move to another school but Sue herself makes a deal with Barry Barry. George introduces his new Mandarin teaching assistant - and wife - Princess, who is a hit with the boys, especially Kevin, whilst vengeful Lisa Brown steals and hides Audrey's cat and Nikki continues to coach Kasey in boxing. Due to financial cut-backs several activities including the school's breakfast club are cancelled and Connor leads a walk-out in protest, as a result of which Christine threatens him and the whole class with exclusion. Written by don @ minifie-1
Hide description ▲

Simon plans the school's own version of 'The Apprentice', pitting girls against boys and financing it himself when Christine tries to cancel it due to budget cuts. The girls go in for selling cakes, the boys for selling unwanted household items donated. Barry Barry tries to sabotage the girls but Grantly comes to their aid and they win. Innocently believing Lisa has turned over a new leaf Audrey is blissfully unaware that Moira, a friend she has met online, is actually Lisa herself. Princess feels exploited by George and kisses Kevin when he comes to her house to collect junk. George sees them and hits Kevin but, realizing that it could cost the teacher his job, Kevin denies that it happened. Written by don @ minifie-1
Hide description ▲

George discovers that Princess is planning to leave him to work in London. He tries to thwart her but Kevin helps her to escape. Given a make-over by Dynasty Rhiannon asks new boy Darren Hughes to an upcoming dance, sending a revealing picture of herself to his phone. Barry Barry bullies him into sending it online and Rhiannon is mortified but Dynasty organizes revenge by photographing Darren and Barry in the shower. Christine steps in, demanding all photos be deleted and announcing that any similar future action will involve the police. The dance goes ahead with Rhiannon making a triumphant entrance with her friends. Audrey discovers that her new Internet friend Moira is Lisa Brown, trying to scam money from her and decides to contact her ex-army grandfather.
Hide description ▲

Grantly makes a reluctant return to work and is asked to assume Tom's project to get the pupils to write a poem...
Hide description ▲

The school turns out for Grantly's funeral, with Tariq turning up to pay his respects. The funeral over, Nikki has a difficult day. It takes a lot of persuasion for her to convince Carol Barry that Kasey should go to a boxing camp in Miami and then she has an unexpected visit from Eve, the daughter she has not seen in years and whose father told her Nikki was dead. Eve quickly sees that Nikki's maternal instincts are secondary to her professional outlook and is angry that she seems to be giving Kasey more attention than her own daughter, especially when Nikki rings Stuart, Eve's father to take her home. However, after Kasey has consoled Eve the parting takes place with the promise of more contact between mother and child. The sponsored clean goes awry when Dynasty mixes cleaning fluids and produces chlorine gas and Sue slips on a wet floor. Simon, bidding to become head, is happy to use this against Christine, who, as a result, sees Audrey's suggestion of a 'living history' week, built around World War II as an opportunity to impress the school board.
Hide description ▲

Staff and pupils don 40s gear for the World War Two living history week, with austerity rations which annoys the kids. For authenticity the teachers organize a foraging expedition, where Kevin, helped by a military uniform and a Glenn Miller disc, wins back Dynasty. However the stupid Barry Barry and even dimmer side-kick Darren pick and eat magic mushrooms, requiring their hospital admission. Education officer - and Sue's father - Robert Bain arrives for his school inspection, which begins well. However Rhiannon faints after taking the austerity diet too seriously and a goat gets loose in the school. At least Christine manages to stop the pupils from eating the remaining mushrooms but Sue discovers that she is employing George aware that his Mandarin is not up to teaching standard, ammunition she gives Simon in his bid to become the permanent head. Robert is displeased with Christine but also berates Simon for being underhand and trying to score points of the headmistress. Battle lines are now drawn between Christine and Simon.
Hide description ▲

Charismatic supply teacher Frankie McGregor arrives and impresses Christine when he defends bullied Lenny Brown against gormless Darren Hughes. Obsessed with her wedding Sue exploits him to teach her class - as he reports to Christine. However Simon is suspicious and with good cause for, after the new teacher has taken Lenny fishing, it is discovered that he is an impostor, the depressed brother-in-law of the real Frankie. He is arrested but Lenny is disappointed to have lost a man who befriended him. Christine and Simon, having worked together to catch him, declare a truce but Simon is angry with Sue for her negligence. Nikki learns that Kacey's American trip will cost more than anticipated and organizes fund-raising, in which Carol Barry happily joins, a visit from Olympic boxer Nicola Adams being another boost. However Kacey's vile brother Barry Barry steals her training fund money.
Hide description ▲

On his wedding eve and with his interview imminent Simon is overwhelmed when he finds Robert has bought him and Sue a house, and he reacts badly to single parent Avril Mack's complaint that her son Stevie is being bullied for his stammer by a vicious girl gang. Christine bravely details her own domestic problems with Connor in an effort to find out underlying home difficulties with the Macks and Simon is sufficiently impressed by her candour and bravery that he stands down from the promotion, endorsing Christine, who - with unexpected support from Imogen's mother - wins the permanent head teacher post. The theft of Kacey's travel fund is discovered and Nikki prepares to make up the money herself but Kacey discovers that her rotten brother stole it and exposes him in front of the school, as a result of which Carol kicks him out and Kacey flies to the states as planned. Sue and Simon get married but decide to elope, leaving the other staff to enjoy their - and Christine's - celebration.
Hide description ▲

As the new term starts staff and pupils alike are annoyed by the dramatic entry, staged by Simon as part of his positivity campaign, of hunky new gym teacher Hector Reid. Equally ostentatious is the arrival of Gabriella Wark, a very bright but extremely manipulative and precocious girl who has been expelled from her last two schools and antagonizes students and teachers. She immediately throws herself at Hector and, on learning that the last expulsion was for stalking a young male teacher, Christine is ready to exclude her but is prepared to give her another chance when she learns that Gabriella's cold father blames her for her sister's death. Elsewhere Nikki starts dating the newly-married Sue's sister Vix whilst Imogen is annoyed that Connor applied for a chef's job in London without telling her.
Hide description ▲

Strapped for cash Carol Barry agrees to work for a day in the school kitchen. She robs Gabriella's purse but Dynasty retrieves it. Also working in the kitchen is Connor, thrilled to have been accepted for the London job. Christine initially believes he is wasting his talents but agrees to let him go after Maggie has told her it is what Connor wants. Divorced from Princess a lonely George asks Christine on a date but she prefers to remain friends. He goes to drown his sorrows in the pub where Carol works and, after punching the landlord who insulted her, he ends up back at her flat drinking. Meanwhile Nikki and Vix decide to get married.
Hide description ▲

Lenny Brown becomes obsessed with the idea that local newsagent Mr Kowalski is running a vice ring and, having misinterpreted George's advice, persuades dumb Darren to help him thwart it - though of course he is proved wrong. George himself gets a surprise visit from his snobbish mother, who discovers - and exposes - his relationship with Carol, of whom she disapproves. George finally stands up to her and blasts her snobbery but later learns that she has died suddenly and looks to Carol for her support. Carol meanwhile refuses to allow Barry Barry and his ridiculous new hair cut back in her house whilst Gabriella continues to throw herself at Hector.
Hide description ▲

Nikki, the Lowsleys and Hector take a party of students on the 'resilience camp' weekend to hone initiative skills. Gabriella, still besotted with Hector, steals a boat and rows to the middle of a lake, where she rings him to come and save her. Hector is more interested in trying to seduce Nikki and has his phone switched off but eventually goes to Gabriella's aid. Nikki rings Christine, who cancels the weekend, making Gabriella even more unpopular with her peers, who take their revenge on her. Back at school Christine, who is struggling with her own feelings for George, is concerned about George's relationship with Carol, whom she feels is exploiting him but he writes off her concern as jealousy. Hector admits that he turned his phone off to prevent Christine ending the whole resilience project. Berated by the Lowsleys he feels sorry for himself and starts drinking. Nikki looks in on him and finally succumbs to his advances.
Hide description ▲

As he is about to leave for Edinburgh to be interviewed for his university bursary Kevin collapses in class. He has had a stroke and requires an operation though he does pull through. Gabriella sees Nikki and Hector arrive at school together and reveals that they are having an affair. Nobody believes her - except Vix, who breaks up with Nikki as a result. Dynasty has an interview to join the police whilst Lula has an offer from Strathclyde university but there is bad news when her mother Cecile tells her that they face deportation. She goes to see Audrey, who determines to do all that she can to help her.
Hide description ▲

Immigration officers arrive to deport the Tsibis, whose appeal has been turned down. Lula's mother is arrested but Lulas escapes to the school where George is standing in for Christine, who is visiting Connor. He believes Lula should give herself up but Audrey and Maggie lead the pupils in a campaign to let her stay, involving the press and local councillors, as well as a full demonstration on the school roof, during which Shaznay pretends to be Lula to buy time. However it is all in vain and Lula reluctantly leaves Waterloo Road. Meanwhile Gabriella publicly humiliates and ditches Barry Barry, who claims to be planning a 'big job' and Simon offers himself as go-between for Nikki with Vix. He also makes sure that Christine will hear how George failed to handle Lula's situation in the appropriate way. Carol is displeased when Dynasty informs her that she is applying for the police force.
Hide description ▲

Dynasty goes for her police interview, where she excels, but one of the panellists later informs her that she knows she is from a criminal family, which would seem to ruin her chances. However when she discovers that her brother is people trafficking she turns him in and, helped by Simon, gets a return interview. Audrey promises Harley she will help him try to contact Lula but is surprised by a gift from Gabriella. Meanwhile Christine returns and tears strips off George for mishandling Lula's situation. Discovering that daft Darren Hughes has been taking indecent photos in the girls' changing room she visits his mother in her shabby flat. The woman is clearly a prostitute who shows Christine the door and, in her frustration, Christine goes to a pub and starts drinking.
Hide description ▲

A severely hung over Christine wakes up in bed with a total stranger and, still drunk, crashes her car on the way to school. Fleeing the scene she misses a meeting to discuss Darren Hughes and makes a fool of herself in class. After initially lying to the police that her car was stolen she is arrested. As she leaves the school with them she tells Simon that she resigns and he can have her job. After Lula Skypes Audrey to say that she is safe and well Kacey returns from America in triumph. Simon asks her to give a talk, which annoys Gabriella, who was due to give a presentation and who humiliates Kevin in revenge. Vix refuses to get back with Nikki whilst Imogen contacts Connor to tell him of his mother's arrest.
Hide description ▲

As the term draws to a close Christine is summoned to the board of education and faces a possible ban from teaching altogether. Back at the school Simon is having terrible problems as acting head. Upstaged by Kasey again Gabriella has caused her to have an accident which jeopardizes her boxing future and when Mrs Wark comes to Waterloo Road Carol fights with her whilst Gabriella contrives to make it seem that Nikki assaulted her. However Christine takes charge of the situation, getting Gabriella to admit that her actions were to get her parents to notice and love her as she believes they still value her dead sister above her. Simon is so impressed he contacts the board and Christine's teaching career is saved. Vix comes to support Nikki and they move away together whilst Imogen gets a college place in London near to Connor and Dynasty is accepted for police training.
Hide description ▲

With Christine demoted a new head teacher arrives - Vaughan Fitzgerald, with his partner, art teacher Allie Westbrook and her children Tiffany and Floyd. Soon afterwards Olga, the unstable wife he left for Allie, arrives with their sons Leo and Justin. She is about to enter a psychiatric unit and dumps the boys on Vaughan. Leo is affable but Justin is hostile towards his father, picking a fight with Floyd and though he apologizes he is insincere and makes it clear he does not want to be at Waterloo Road. Returning from their cruise George dumps the mercenary Carol who gets revenge by posting pictures of his being sick on the ship on the Internet. Darren Hughes' mother dies of a drug overdose and he moves into the school house, prompting Vaughan to propose that the school forges stronger links with the community.
Hide description ▲

Vaughan encourages the students to offer their services to members of the community, a decision which leads Lisa and Shaznay to rob elderly Mr Carmichael of a vase which, unbeknown to them, contains his wife's ashes. He comes to the school insisting that they stole two thousand pounds but Vaughan realizes that he is as much a chancer as the girls. Simon's efforts to reconcile Floyd and Justin fail due to Justin's hate-filled recalcitrance and after a run-in with the boy George resigns, having scooped fifteen grand in compensation from the cruise company. Dynasty also leaves, to join the police, whilst Maggie discovers that Rhiannon, who had been a great comfort to Darren at his mother's funeral, is now having sex with him. She determines to put a stop to it.
Hide description ▲

Allie starts a virtual baby scheme to teach pupils parenting skills but few of them take it seriously. One exception is Rhiannon, who confesses to the understanding Harley that she may be pregnant. Darren is less than sympathetic and, although the pregnancy test proves negative, she ends the relationship when she sees how shallow she is. She is consoled by Maggie, who suggests a career working with children. Carol stages a kitchen accident in the hopes of suing the school but is thwarted by Vaughan, who sacks her ,whilst Tiffany attempts to get through to Justin.
Hide description ▲

Gabriella Wark returns to school from therapy, a far gentler person, though she encounters general hostility from most of the staff and pupils, except Rhiannon and Allie's children, whom she invites to her house in her parents' absence. The vindictive Shaznay and Lisa alert dozens of students to the house and chaos ensues, with the two nasty girls trashing Gabriella's dead sister's room. A fight breaks out and Gabriella is knocked unconscious and falls into the swimming pool, from where she is rescued by Kacey. Sue and Hector are summoned and order the gate crashers to clear up the mess, appreciating that they have misjudged Gabriella, who is trying to improve, though they do end up kissing. So do Tiffany, who leaves the party early, and Justin, who has accompanied Vaughan and Leo to see Olga in hospital and wrongly assumes that his parents may reconcile.
Hide description ▲

Lenny Brown is studying hard for his mock exams but with no help from his controlling, idle sister and lacking self-confidence, he cracks up, spoiling his paper and having a panic attack. Matters are not helped when the projected exam grades are leaked, leading to a pupil walk-out led by Lisa but realizing that it is Lisa holding him back he returns to school to successfully resit his exam. Knowledge that Vaughan is paying Olga's medical bills causes another rift between Floyd and Justin. The latter is consoled by Tiffany, who ends up in bed with him whilst Hector pursues Sue to a health spa for further extra curricular activities.
Hide description ▲

Justin steps in to help Mickey McArthur, a grubby boy he sees shop-lifting but the boy repays him by stealing his wallet so Justin goes after him, leading to a fight. However the realization that there is urban poverty on his doorstep inspires Justin to open a food bank at the school. Sonya is entering a short story competition but her trashy romance does not impress her colleagues so Christine suggests she write about something from experience. Meanwhile Kevin and Leo hack into the computer system of technology giant Wire Data and Floyd catches his sister kissing Justin. A love-lorn Hector invites himself to a dinner party the Lowsleys are giving for Vaughan and Allie but Sue asks him to leave.
Hide description ▲

Police descend on the school after Leo and Kevin have hacked into Wire Data's system, confiscating the computers and causing chaos. Company owner Jackson Whittaker arrives at the school and, after Kevin owns up, is set to prosecute, though Kevin has his own insurance policy which could land him a role in the organization. Under pressure from Floyd Tiffany tells her mother that she is sleeping with Justin whilst Christine is less than pleased to find her alcoholism the subject of Sonya's short story and Hector's advances lead Sue to suggest that she and Simon find work elsewhere.
Hide description ▲

Allie persuades Vaughan to send Justin to a boarding school to part him from Tiffany but, whilst pretending to cooperate, he plans to run away to London with her. Aware of how unrealistic this is she alerts Allie and refuses to go. When Vaughan relents of his decision Allie moves out, taking Tiffany with her. Gabriella believes Darren could model for her designer mother Amelia's fashion catalogue but Amelia chooses Rhiannon to represent the fuller figure. However Rhiannon feels she is being exploited and joins Gabriella and Darren in visiting elderly Grace instead. Hector takes advantage of Simon's absence on a job interview in Wales to declare his feelings for Sue - who this time responds .
Hide description ▲

Justin lets fly at Allie for taking Tiffany away and demands Leo help him but Leo has his own problem when Mandy, to whom he spoke on the help-line, arrives at the school and persuades him to play truant and trash Justin's room. Vaughan is anxious when Audrey discovers that Mandy is not a school-girl but a fugitive from a psychiatric ward. However Leo calms her down and stops her self-harming and Vaughan realizes that he has neglected Leo in order for him to take Mandy on board. Discovering Sue's affair Simon attacks Hector in front of his class before resigning and demanding a divorce whilst Rhiannon and Darren put Grace in touch with her former ballroom dancing partner Ted.
Hide description ▲

Sue realizes that Hector's plans for them are selfish and unrealistic and she drops him whilst Rhiannon and Darren successfully reunite Grace and Ted to lead a ballroom dancing display at the school. Vaughan hands Justin over to the police after the boy punches Allie but he gets bail, only to be met by Tiffany, who tells him that no longer has any interest in him after what he did. Allie has had enough and she and her children leave Waterloo Road though Vaughan has an even bigger bomb-shell on his hands when George Windsor reappears, asking for his job back and announcing that Waterloo Road is to be merged with the inferior Havelock High school.
Hide description ▲

With the Lowsleys and Hector gone Vaughan brings in a new deputy, Lorna Hutchinson, and surly gym teacher Danny Spencer, with his protégé, budding cycle champion Dale Jackson, whose single-mindedness alienates the other boys. New pupils include kleptomaniac Kenzie Calhoun and Scott Fairchild, both having been excluded from several schools and both hating each other. Vaughan is shocked to find Olga has arrived as a supply teacher and there is worse to come when, thanks to Olga turning on the Tannoy, Vaughan 's conversation with Lorna regarding taking on problem pupils and the proposed merger with Havelock High is heard by the whole school. Kenzie's disruptive actions warrant a home visit from Lorna who discovers that she looks after her sick mother and both are dyslexic whilst the handsome Scott teams up with Bonnie Kincaid, a former ugly duckling who now has a very glamorous image but lacks confidence.
Hide description ▲

Vaughan launches Waterloo Wheelers, a free bike loaning service but the obnoxious Scott Fairchild, thinking it funny, crashes Dale's expensive racing bike, which Kevin mends. After Scott has sabotaged other bikes Kevin challenges him to a race, which lands him in hospital though Kenzie tries to point out Scott's stupidity to him. To get parents on side against the merger Lorna suggests forming a PTA but both she and Christine go head to head as to who should run it though Christine steps down as Kenzie's literacy teacher as Lorna gets on better with her. Olga backs Kevin's desire to transfer to Havelock, which has superior computing facilities and an impressed Vaughan suggests she become full-time whilst Audrey comes into a mysterious cash windfall.
Hide description ▲

Two young teachers - both probationers - arrive at the school; the correct geography teacher Marco D'Oliveira and flippant Guy Braxton, whose subject is graphics and art and who has trouble keeping order. Kind-hearted Lenny defends new pupil Carrie Norton against his bullying sister Lisa and dumb friend Shaznay but is shocked to see Carrie and Guy kissing and tells Vaughan. Carrie's mother then comes to the school and what she has to say surprises everybody. Meanwhile Bonnie inadvertently betrays Kenzie's secret and Christine's attempt to get out of girls' nights with Audrey by claiming that she is dating George backfires on her.
Hide description ▲

Whilst Maggie comforts Sonya over her cancer scare the PTA meets to discuss the proposed merger with Havelock High, Carrie's mother supporting it and bringing her up against Christine and Lorna. Homeless Guy tries to keep secret the fact that he is dossing in the school but is thrown a life-line by an unexpected source. Olga and Marco lead a field trip where Marco's dull, authoritarian approach leads to a sit-down protest and, separated from the others Kenzie, angry at Bonnie's betrayal of her, takes great pleasure in telling Justin and Scott that Bonnie has slept with them both. However when Bonnie has an accident and falls down a cliff differences must be put aside to help her.
Hide description ▲

The PTA group, led by the hostile Steph Norton, arrives at the school and Vaughan is anxious to make a good impression to prevent it being merged with Havelock High. Sadly things do not go to plan as the evil Lisa sabotages Marco's science lesson, injuring Carrie, Leo, obsessed with a computer game, trashes the library when Vaughan challenges him and an erotic book - written by Audrey - is read out loud. Bonnie admits to Lorna that she is receiving malicious texts whilst Sonya gets the results of her cancer test, leading to a misunderstanding.
Hide description ▲

Dale is desperate for a place in the national cycling team, starving himself to be the correct weight but this proves disastrous when he takes his trial. Abdul is baffled when his father Hassan is evasive regarding the family background for Abdul's genetic science project. He initially suspects that he may have a genetic disorder but is appalled to learn that he was adopted and his father never told him. Kenzie leaves home after rowing with her mother and Scott is an unexpected peace-maker whilst Leo agrees to help Bonnie trace her stalker but uses her computer to play his game, causing Olga to step in. Sonya tries to rectify her situation but somehow fails to do so.
Hide description ▲

Abdul reconciles with his father, who explains that his adoption was hurried and not quite legal, in order to get him out of a filthy orphanage. They plan to go away together but before they can do so Abdul receives devastating news. Dale goes off the rails now that he is out of the cycling team, taking Maggie's car for a joy ride with a terrified Lenny as his passenger. Kenzie finds both Justin and Scott literally fighting over her and decides to dump them both whilst Bonnie's persecution continues and things get worse between Olga and Leo. Sonya and Guy get close but she has still to tell the truth about her illness.
Hide description ▲

Now aware that Hassan bought him illegally Abdul meets his real mother Yasmeen and is charmed by her though Leo encourages him to be sympathetic to the man who brought him up as his son. Ultimately Abdul's loyalties are tested as he must decide with which of the two he wants to live. Dale goes from bad to worse and Lenny is suspicious when Maggie's car is found crashed into a tree and shocked to find his sister in bed with Dale. After Maggie finds cannabis in Dale's possession he gets stoned and climbs onto the school roof but loyal Lenny rescues him and makes him see sense. Christine cheers a depressed Marco leading to a date whilst Lorna is shadowed by a mystery man and Bonnie finds an unexpected ally in George. Between them they track down her tormentor - or so they believe.
Hide description ▲

Justin is expelled for cyber-bullying Bonnie but Kenzie believes he is innocent and has her own suspicions as to the culprit, leading to an accusation, an act of selflessness and the truth finally coming out. Lorna's estranged husband Rob turns up, anxious for reconciliation. He has a PR company and offers to help prevent the merger through a press campaign. This includes high-lighting Sonia's supposed cancer and she reluctantly agrees but comes clean at the press conference. An angry Rob rounds her whilst the revelation does the resistance to the merger no good.
Hide description ▲

Christine is shocked to find that Vaughan, already admitting defeat, cannot be bothered to attend the public consultation and argue against the schools' merger, so she decides that the pupils do the presentation. Rob shows his true colours when it becomes apparent that he has no interest in saving the school, only trying to bully Lorna into a reconciliation and he is arrested after assaulting Marco and locking him in a cupboard with Kenzie, who is due to lead the presentation. At the same time Darren accidentally makes a discovery proving that the take-over is not as beneficial as it first appears and involves private interests. Eventually Leo persuades Vaughan to turn up and take to the stage whilst the pupils lock the audience in as they put their case to keep Waterloo Road independent. Hopefully they will succeed. . .
Hide description ▲