Yorkshire Educator has returned to screens after more than a decade, bringing with it moments of both laughter and tears.
The Channel 4 docuseries first aired in 2013 and quickly became a national favorite thanks to the schoolchildren’s antics, many of which are still quoted in memes.
But amidst the chaos of Thornhill Community Academy’s school days also came sobering reminders of how bleak adolescence can be and why teachers play such a pivotal role – no one will forget watching the English teacher, Mr Burton, help Musharaf overcome his obsession.
And now, with Mr. Burton promoted to headmaster and a whole new generation of students within its walls, education at Yorkshire Series 2 is already off to a flying start.
The standout star of episode 1 was Amy, whose candid admission of self-worth had viewers in tears, wanting nothing more than to give the Year 8 student a hug.
Tonight, viewers saw Amy take center stage, one of her first lines being: “The only reason I go [to school] is for hash browns and my friends.”
But audiences soon learned there was more to her than her comedic chops, as Amy admitted she didn’t feel “confident.”
“I’m just a jumble of random things that, when put together incorrectly, made me,” she told the cameras, as Amy explained that she had developed Tourette’s over the summer. Tourette’s syndrome is a neurological disorder that “can cause sudden, involuntary, and uncontrolled rapid and repetitive movements or vocal sounds.”
While some days her virtue feels more manageable, others leave her wanting to “lie in bed and break down.”
To help Amy navigate her anxiety around her tics and not wanting her to “struggle in silence,” student manager Wilson arranged for her to have regular sessions at the school’s wellness center.
During one session, her friend Marcii joined in as the girls did a mental health check-in and were asked to list compliments to themselves.
“Amy, what do you like about yourself?” she was asked, to which the student replied, “I don’t know.”
“Positive? Erm. Nothing,” she tearfully added to the cameras later.
“I’ve had enough,” she told the teacher, saying that the assignment to write down five things she likes about herself [her] was ‘out there’.
“I don’t get it, and I can’t find anything good about myself,” she said.
“The thing is, Amy, we need you to be able to look in the mirror and feel positive about yourself and be able to say some positive things,” the female employee told the young woman.
“I know that, but I can’t do it,” Amy replied, her virtue like whistling and neck-jerking – pulling.
Despite having her friend’s support by her side, promising to “always stick by” Amy when others questioned her behavior, viewers couldn’t help but get emotional when she revealed how she perceives herself.
“I adore Amy so much,” @Mishybabez_ wrote on X. “Protect her at all costs.”
@BeccynotBecky echoed: “I love Amy, I just want to give her a big hug!”
“Considering everything she has to deal with Amy has an old head on young shoulders. She is amazing,” praised @kdcunliffe.
“Amy represents the reason this program is so important, showing her struggles and resilience with Tourette syndrome,” wrote @atvfriend, adding, “She’s such a sweet girl who clearly does great with her group of friends.”
“Protect this little treasure at all costs. Heartbreaking that she can’t think of one thing she likes about herself,” said @Claregiter.
Later in tonight’s episode, viewers felt for Amy again as she became tearful over the growing tension in her social circle.
“I’m just worried we won’t be able to fix things,” she confided to Mr. Wilson, who left the room to bring his friend back for a heart-to-heart, the cameras rolling to Amy wiping her eyes with a tissue.
Luckily, Amy and Millie were able to reconcile while viewers remained rooting for Amy throughout.
@Paulcurwen declared her an “early star” of the series, while @NOB_THE_BUILDER said: “I hope she realizes she is a beautiful soul and understands her worth”.
Educating Yorkshire Airs Sundays at 8pm on Channel 4.
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