To think it's a shame that Educating Greater Manchester focuses on the naughty kids?

[Snap8TheCat]

Don't get me wrong it's a great series and I'm guessing it's because it's makes exciting tv but it's not very balanced. It's showing those that get their heads down, behave, work hard and get good results are boring and not even worthy of screen time. The limelight is on those who are disruptive and rude and they have one good day and are made out to be superstars. It's a shame it's not a bit more balanced.

I’m not sure “children sitting at their desks getting on with work” would make interesting TV though?

Really the aim of the show is to show how schools help those pupils who are facing challenges

I agree to a certain extent. I teach in an SEMH school and our students have significant behavioural issues. They watch these shows and think these students are normal/average in a mainstream school and stop cooperating with us as we're "keeping" them at our school when they think they can cope at mainstream. Of course some can and do move on but most are in absolutely the best place for them.

What I really like about the show is that it shows what is happening at home and the challenges some teenagers face.

The story about the Syrian boy and his best friend wasn't about naughtiness, just more about the challenges with language, culture etc.

It's because that's more interesting. To be fair they did focus on the kids from overseas a bit which was heart warming. But it's like Jeremy Kyle. The fight episodes are the ones to watch and the rare heartwarming ones are a pile of tosh imo.

Sadly I think it is a true reflection of secondary school life today.
Some kids have masses of emotional and behavioural problems and they become a focus for the support staff.
Teaching is no longer about passing on facts for kids to learn it has been overwhelmed with social issues -the kids who do try hard in a broken system inevitably get overlooked .
I think it shows how desperate things are in real life.

I would like to see more of those who work hard - it would be good to see what their interests outside school are, what their family lives are like and what they like/dislike about school. I met some pupils once who said they were the only ones in a class of 30 who did any work - there were four of them - they accepted they'd never get any GCSEs in school - said you couldn't hear yourself think. So they wanted careers (in caring professions) but their first step was "to go to college to get some GCSEs." I found that very, very sad.

Its not a documentary, its entertainment!

I preferred Educating Yorkshire because there was much more emphasis on those wanting to learn and of course the lovely Mushy being helped by Mr Burton with his stammer.

I follow Mushy on Twitter and he was 21 the other day.

It's meant to be both, User.

I think our young people are amazing. My son has just started high school (year 9-13) and obviously on the open evening they choose the bright stars to show off the school. I found them utterly engaging and amazing, completely inspiring and enthusiastic about everything that lies ahead for them. I'd find it interesting to watch them on tv.

Funny how it replicates school from yesteryear. The ones you remember were always the ones who were good at sport, a bit naughty etc etc. No one remembers those who just got on with work and did well academically. They were always seen as geeky at my school! Probably all living in nice houses now though with money in the bank and glad they did work hard!