Channel 4 confirms return of hit Educating Yorkshire series

The Channel 4 cameras will be returning to Thornhill Community Academy for another series of Educating Yorkshire.

Following the hugely successful return of the education documentary last year, Channel 4 has commissioned a new series from Twofour, once again opening the doors of the Dewsbury high school - for the third time - to capture the realities of growing up and teaching in modern Britain.

Led by headteacher Matthew Burton, the series will continue to tell heartfelt, humorous and authentic stories from the classroom and beyond.

Mr Burton said: “I’m really pleased to welcome Twofour back to Thornhill, to highlight more of the important work that goes on in schools up and down the country, day in, day out.

“As many people will have seen last year, our students and staff are so inspiring, and to have the chance, again, to show the extent of the quiet, life-changing work that happens day by day is a real privilege.

“Our priority at TCA will always be sharply focusing on the safety, wellbeing and education of our students. We look forward to working (hard and being nice) with Twofour and Channel 4 to develop an important series over the next year.”

Building on the legacy of the Emmy-winning original series, released in 2013, while remaining firmly rooted in the issues shaping a new generation, this upcoming new series promises another compelling, uplifting and unfiltered portrait of life inside one of Britain’s most remarkable schools - and in our very own Dewsbury.

Rita Daniels, Commissioning Editor at Channel 4, said: “Last year’s return to Thornhill Community Academy was both insightful and emotional, providing the perfect snapshot of today’s high school experience.

“The Thornhill kids were brave and brilliant when opening up about the modern challenges of teenage life. We know that there will be kids across the country dealing with similar issues and we hope they will continue to see themselves in a new series of this exceptional show.”

David Clews, Twofour Chief Creative Officer, added: "The response to the return of Educating Yorkshire was a total joy. Audiences once again embraced the warmth, humour and humanity of life inside a modern British school.

“We’re delighted to be returning to Thornhill to tell new stories that are funny, moving, challenging and inspiring in equal measure.”

The second series of Educating Yorkshire aired 12 years on from the end of the original series, which was also filmed at the Valley Drive school, and addressed the modern day challenges faced by both teachers and pupils, covering topics such as the use of AI, anxiety and exam stress, the struggles resulting from COVID-19, and the management of disruptive behaviour.

Grace Reynolds, Exec Producer, said: “The extraordinary teachers and staff help the students navigate some of the most important years of their lives. While headlines often focus on the challenges facing teenagers today, our experience making the series tells a different story.

“Spend time in Thornhill and you’ll find resilience, compassion, ambition and optimism. If it reminds us of anything, it’s that the future is in remarkably good hands.”

Last year’s eight-part documentary series was nominated for a Bafta but missed out to fellow Channel 4 show See No Evil which scooped the best Factual series award.