Secret Teacher

[SouthWestmom]

I hate this. Why is it not working for me?

I saw the ad for this and it looked crap, like an even worse version of the Secret Millionaire. I'll give it a miss based on what's been said about it here

I wanted to watch it but it wasn't available on 4od. Which is wierd cos it's been on Tele

I watched it on catch up tonight purple, so it's definitely available now.

It felt very staged, agree the 2 singled out pupils had been chosen by the school.
It didn't feel like he was there long enough to build these so called connections with them.

I didn't like the singling out either, especially the paying for a tutor! Basically saying even a bright kid like her has no chance in a state school without one.

Although he did also make general donations to the school which seemed fairer.
I will probably watch the rest of the series just out of curiosity, but I didn't love it.

The last thing kids need is some multi millionaire coming in and telling them that they pissed around at school and left with no GCSEs ....
Yes, that's the sort of person I want my revision reluctant teen to look up to!!! Ffs.

Also, the girls problem was self belief - everyone said she was bright. So Therapy might have been more useful. Actually the more I think about it the more I think it's appalling and divisive to go into a school and pick favourites to shower with advantage. Especially the kid breaking school rules (selling sweets) because you are on an ego trip.

No it wasn't available yesterday and today it's not either it now says coming soon available from 15th August! Very odd

I'm watching it on channel 4 now.

Anyone watching tonight?

Can't believe when Jackie told the woman about that boy ringing 999 for 'fun' she laughed!!

Tonight is more annoying than last week. I can't believe she laughed at the pupil calling 999

I’m watching. Not sure what to make of the laughing at poor behaviour and a volunteer TA going round to a student’s house after school then hugging the mother.

This Molly it was obvious she wasn't bothered she was just saying she'll go cos that's what they wanted her to say

I don't understand why they've got people who failed at school and then became successful to try to get kids to succeed at school

How does that work - her paying for another support worker? For a year? Two years? Seeing as most schools are suffering from cuts and don’t have millionaires to help.

Is it just me or did Jackie the head of support not seem too impressed with Kate?

Did Molly say that she wanted to be a hairdresser? Surely she could have got an apprenticeship on her own.

And Zain gets a job, oh good.

Yes I also wondered how it worked if she'd pay for one for a year or a limited amount of time or forever it what cos it's someone's job!

No she definitely wasn't impressed!

I don't get it. The kids who disrupt and don't turn up get singled out for special attention and extra opportunities??

This is the only episode I've seen, are they all about seeking out young entrepreneurs? It would be nice to see the middle of the road, decent but not 'sparky' or 'inspired' kid who wants to do well but is struggling due to the sheer fucking amount of disruption around them helped in some way. I thought it was nice she sponsored more support staff in the school,

Yes I agree that I couldn't see a reason to pick out Molly. But let's face it she only did it cos she reminded her of herself.

I could see more of a reason to pick out Zain at least but I couldn't help thinking they were so young. What if he changes his mind in a few years

I agree basket surely she employs plenty of people who have done okay at school and completed a business studies course? I think Molly did say she wanted to be a beautician?

Jackie really didn't like the lies at all. She seemed very professional and hard-working. The millionaire was all botox and fillers but I admire her greatly for the achievements.

I don't think I'd like the lies either to be honest even if she was doing something good.

I don't think the work she had done on her face did her any favours

She looks like a melted lego brick.

Anyway the programme seems less about modern day philanthropy and more a 'look at me' PR exercise.

Couldn’t warm to Kate although I liked the bloke last week.

Teacher hat on - Zain got 14 out of 80 in his maths (grade 1) but they kept saying that he was really bright. He needed to do well to get onto his business college course but how the bloody hell was he going to go from a grade 1 to a pass in maths in 6 months?

And they were expecting him to move from Sheffield to Liverpool for this job?

Exactly this is what I mean. It seemed like too many what ifs. I haven't seen the first one yet so can't comment on that one

I know Turnford and have friends who had dc there. Think they were trying to paint a down trodden school. Its not, they were lots of new buildings within last 10 years.
They have tied in with Haileybury school, which is an exclusive private school, hence the new new uniform. I cant believe it doesnt have some monetary gain for them.

It felt uncomfortably groomy to me

This ^^. It seemed very off to me. When Paul picked out the girl for yet another talk I think I heard another pupil say 'again?'

The home visits/calls home/meetings 1:1/rewarding breaking rules/hugging were just weird, so weird that I googled to see if there was a thread in it.