First look at Educating Yorkshire

Year nine pupil Bailey Hill, who features in the Educating Yorkshire TV trailer, says Mr Mitchell is the best thing thats happened to the school."

And the Reporter has taken an early look at the first episode of Educating Yorkshire, Channel 4’s new fly-on-the-wall documentary series.

Viewers will be introduced to headteacher Jonny Mitchell, who has been on a mission to drive up standards by focusing on manners, punctuality and dress codes. Mr Mitchell tells camera crews he wants to improve the school’s reputation in the community.

“I came here with a firm plan,” he says. “To make the results better so that they stand up to the national scrutiny and then everybody can say ‘there’s nothing wrong with Thornhill.’”

Alongside more typical problems such as habitual smokers and snowball fights, Mr Mitchell and his team have to deal with a more sensitive issue when allegations of racist name calling are made.

But there’s laughs to be had too as we see the reality of day-to-day life at Thornhill.