It's a new term at Waterloo Road Comprehensive School and things are looking positive. The School is launching its first sixth form, and ex-pupil and wealthy entrepreneur Roger Aspinall wants to turn the school into Rochdale's first City Academy in return for a seat on the governing body. But With Roger's investment comes a list of changes which wreak havoc across the school and leaves Jack Rimmer's role as Head Teacher under immediate threat.

For a run down inner city school; staff shortages, bullying and truancy are all high on the term's agenda. But with the embattled comprehensives survival on the line are the staff and pupils all working towards the same agenda?

Episode 1: A brand new term sees wealthy sponsor, Roger Aspinall divide loyalties when he clashes with Jack over plans to turn the school into a super academy. Tom and Izzie get the shock of their lives and Kim finally has a romantic evening out with Andrew.

Episode 2: Jack lets Andrew do his worse as acting head teacher but steps in when the local community turn against the school. Tom takes extreme measures to deal with Lorna.

Episode 3: Izzie's life is turned upside down when Mika becomes the victim of an internet hate campaign and Chlo lies to spend the night with Donte. Jack falls for Davina but has a teenage love rival in Brett.

Episode 4: Jack and Roger come to physical blows over the future of the school while Brett learns some hard hitting home truths about his father. Steph is the victim of a mugging by an ex-pupil.

Episode 5: The school goes on high alert when a female pupil is assaulted by a serial attacker. Tom is flattered by what seems like a harmless school girl crush and Lorna receives some devastating news.

Episode 6: Tom's career and relationship hang in the balance while Kim and Andrew work reluctantly together to find the truth behind Stacy's allegations. Maxine makes a discovery which leads to the identity of the attacker.

Episode 7: A student teacher learns the ropes the hard way when he takes on the kids of Waterloo Road. Jack gives Davina an opportunity to prove herself in the classroom while Steph tries to find a new home for Maxine.

Episode 8: Jack and Kim are humiliated when a work experience placement goes disastrously wrong, and Steph puts her reputation on the line to speak up for Maxine. Davina finally lets Jack know how she feels about him.

Episode 9: Lorna gets to the heart of a persistent truant's real problem and Jack has the chips stacked against him in the final interviews for the permanent headship. Izzie and Tom's bitterness towards each other escalates.

Episode 10: Lorna plays cupid by taking Tom and Izzie away for a surprise treat in the countryside meanwhile Steph's attempt to put Jack right about Davina backfires.

Episode 11: The school's healthy eating initiative goes out the window when a local gang targets the school selling burgers. Events take a sinister turn when a pupil collapses and is rushed into hospital.

Episode 12: Jack's determination to protect the kids and to find the source of the drugs makes him lose sight of the rising mayhem being wrought on the school by the new sponsor governor. Meanwhile it's make or break for Kim and Andrew.