I've been watching this closely as my nephew attends FB and really really likes it, he isn't one of the 'featured' kids but I've seen him in the background once or twice which is quite nice. He also knows some of the main children, like Halil and has given a different perspective on them to what is shown.
I don't know if it's been mentioned but it is pissing me off; this school is not in the East End. It's in (North) East London, and not part of the East End.
I think the way they elect the head boy and girl is thoughtful and considered. They seem to find the right balance between getting the kids involved and it not being a popularity contest. I think it's far more inspiring to have a head girl like they did who apparently 'has a power over people' and is relatable to rather than some good two shoes elected by the staff. We had staff elections at my school and at my elder DCs school. No one cared who the Head Boy/Girl was or paid any attention to them as they were people who did well academically and were punctual but were also void of charisma, it was another award for the 'geeks' which no other students were interested in.
To me it seems a good life lesson. Politics, leadership, getting on in life is often (unfortunately) a bit of a popularity contest. Of course you need to have the ability, but when neck and neck with someone similarly qualified or capable it can come down to people skills. I've had this with one of my DC who is very quiet and self-effacing. On one level he'd be an excellent head boy, he's responsible, intelligent, excels academically and always organised but he lacks the people, social and communication skills. I've put a lot of effort into bringing him out of his shell for his own good. He needs lessons like the election we saw in order to understand about putting yourself out there.