Episodes

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Ep 1 A Social Distance20210928

Second series of Jonathan Hall's comedy drama about an inner city academy school in Salford and how it coped with the pandemic in 2020. Starring Julie Hesmondhalgh.

It is mid March 2020 and the schools have closed due to Covid 19. East Salford Academy tries to cope with all the conflicting information from the government whilst dealing with confused parents. There are so many questions - Who is meant to be in school? What exactly is a key worker? How are school meal vouchers going to be distributed? The school principle Yvette Miller grapples with all these issues whilst keeping the Academy Trust and the nervous staff informed and happy.

Yvette ..... .Julie Hesmondhalgh
Sir Ken ..... Jonathan Keeble
Tim ..... Ashley Margolis
Marigold/Candice ..... Verity Henry
Joy/Carol ..... Susan Twist
Moey/Mr Ayhan ..... Abdullah Afzal

Director/ Producer Gary Brown.
A BBC Audio Drama North Production.

With grateful thanks to those who helped with the research -

Tom Barradas Lingard
John Winkley
Isobel Ashmead
Pippa Davies
Pat Thomson

Comedy drama about a Salford secondary school. Stars Julie Hesmondhalgh.

Julie Hesmondhalgh stars in Jonathan Hall's drama series about a school academy in Salford

Ep 1 A Social Distance2021092820220801 (R4)

Second series of Jonathan Hall's comedy drama about an inner city academy school in Salford and how it coped with the pandemic in 2020. Starring Julie Hesmondhalgh.

It is mid March 2020 and the schools have closed due to Covid 19. East Salford Academy tries to cope with all the conflicting information from the government whilst dealing with confused parents. There are so many questions - Who is meant to be in school? What exactly is a key worker? How are school meal vouchers going to be distributed? The school principle Yvette Miller grapples with all these issues whilst keeping the Academy Trust and the nervous staff informed and happy.

Yvette ..... .Julie Hesmondhalgh
Sir Ken ..... Jonathan Keeble
Tim ..... Ashley Margolis
Marigold/Candice ..... Verity Henry
Joy/Carol ..... Susan Twist
Moey/Mr Ayhan ..... Abdullah Afzal

Director/ Producer Gary Brown.
A BBC Audio Drama North Production.

With grateful thanks to those who helped with the research -

Tom Barradas Lingard
John Winkley
Isobel Ashmead
Pippa Davies
Pat Thomson

Comedy drama about a Salford secondary school. Stars Julie Hesmondhalgh.

Julie Hesmondhalgh stars in Jonathan Hall's drama series about a school academy in Salford

Ep 1 Lost time20220808

Return of the comedy drama series about an inner city academy school. It is September 2021 and the country is emerging from lockdown. So it's pretty hectic for East Salford academy as they try to deal with time lost due to the pandemic, the Trust's level playing fields initiative and a roll out of injections for students. What they do not need is a student who is constantly challenging them.

Written by Jonathan Hall
Yvette...........Julie Hesmondhalgh
Sir Ken/Eugene...........Jonathan Keeble
Tim..................Ashley Margolis
Carol...............Susan Twist
Nicki.................Erin Shanagher
Ryan............... Daniel Luke Jeffrey
Dave................Lloyd Peters
Students.........Thomas Roberts, Royia Tierney, Iestyn Sofield, Rheanon Shaw, Lauren Taylor
Director/Producer Gary Brown

It is September 2021 and the country is emerging from lockdown.

Julie Hesmondhalgh stars in Jonathan Hall's drama series about a school academy in Salford

Ep 1 W.A.L.T.20200907

Yvette Miller is the acting head of an inner-city school in Salford that has just joined Quays Academy Trust, a successful group of academy schools headed by the charismatic Sir Ken. He is a keen advocate of freedom from the shackles of the Local Education Authority. Yvette is a reluctant convert. How will the school fit in?

Written by Jonathan Hall
Yvette ..... Julie Hesmondhalgh
Sir Ken ..... Jonathan Keeble
Andy ..... Rupert Hill
Tim ..... Ashley Margolis
Joy/ Tannoy ..... Susan Twist
Sidrah ..... Purvi Parmar
Emily ..... Molly Ehrenberg-Peters

Director/Producer Gary Brown

Drama series about a school academy in Salford, starring Julie Hesmondhalgh.

Julie Hesmondhalgh stars in Jonathan Hall's drama series about a school academy in Salford

Ep 1 W.A.L.T.2020090720220725 (R4)

Yvette Miller is the acting head of an inner-city school in Salford that has just joined Quays Academy Trust, a successful group of academy schools headed by the charismatic Sir Ken. He is a keen advocate of freedom from the shackles of the Local Education Authority. Yvette is a reluctant convert. How will the school fit in?

Written by Jonathan Hall
Yvette ..... Julie Hesmondhalgh
Sir Ken ..... Jonathan Keeble
Andy ..... Rupert Hill
Tim ..... Ashley Margolis
Joy/ Tannoy ..... Susan Twist
Sidrah ..... Purvi Parmar
Emily ..... Molly Ehrenberg-Peters

Director/Producer Gary Brown

Drama series about a school academy in Salford, starring Julie Hesmondhalgh.

Julie Hesmondhalgh stars in Jonathan Hall's drama series about a school academy in Salford

Ep 1, Only Fit For Elmfield Street20231010~Trust by Jonathan Hall.

Ep 1 - Only Fit for Elmfield Street.

There's a new build being finished at East Salford Academy, but the campus is still a building site. And on top of that there is a new system of teaching being introduced that uses the latest technology. Some teachers are coping better than others. Comedy drama starring Julie Hesmondhalgh.

YVETTE ..... JULIE HESMONDHALGH

TIM ..... ASHLEY MARGOLIS

SIR KEN ..... JONATHAN KEEBLE

CAROL ...... SUSAN TWIST

DHRUTTI ...... MINA ANWAR

LIZZIE HOPE-LLOYD ..... VERITY HENRY

GLORIA ..... EMMA GREGORY

Production Co-ordinator - Pippa Day

Technical Team - Sharon Hughes & Amy Brennan

Sound Design - Sharon Hughes

Producer/Director - Gary Brown.

A BBC Audio Drama North Production.

Comedy drama about a Salford Secondary School

Julie Hesmondhalgh stars in Jonathan Hall's drama series about a school academy in Salford

~Trust by Jonathan Hall.

Ep 1 - Only Fit for Elmfield Street.

There's a new build being finished at East Salford Academy, but the campus is still a building site. And on top of that there is a new system of teaching being introduced that uses the latest technology. Some teachers are coping better than others. Comedy drama starring Julie Hesmondhalgh.

YVETTE ..... JULIE HESMONDHALGH

TIM ..... ASHLEY MARGOLIS

SIR KEN ..... JONATHAN KEEBLE

CAROL ...... SUSAN TWIST

DHRUTTI ...... MINA ANWAR

LIZZIE HOPE-LLOYD ..... VERITY HENRY

GLORIA ..... EMMA GREGORY

Production Co-ordinator - Pippa Day

Technical Team - Sharon Hughes & Amy Brennan

Sound Design - Sharon Hughes

Producer/Director - Gary Brown.

A BBC Audio Drama North Production.

Comedy drama about a Salford Secondary School

Julie Hesmondhalgh stars in Jonathan Hall's drama series about a school academy in Salford

Ep 2 A New Normal20210929

Second series of Jonathan Hall's comedy drama about an inner city academy school in Salford and how it coped with the pandemic in 2020. Starring Julie Hesmondhalgh.

September 2020. After the chaos of the A Level results, East Salford Academy welcomes back the students. There is going to be a new normal. Rigorous Covid protocols have to be followed. How will they cope with social distancing, classroom bubbles and bottles of cheap hand sanitiser? And that's just the staff.

Yvette ..... Julie Hesmondhalgh
Sir Ken ..... Jonathan Keeble
Tim ..... Ashley Margolis
Joy/Carol ..... Susan Twist
Dhruti ..... Mina Anwar
Chris ..... Jake Ferretti
Candice/Wendy ..... Verity Henry

Producer/Director Gary Brown
A BBC Audio Drama North Production.

With grateful thanks to those who helped with the research-

Tom Barradas Lingard
John Winkley
Isobel Ashmead
Pippa Davies
Pat Thomson

Comedy drama about a secondary school in Salford, starring Julie Hesmondhalgh.

Julie Hesmondhalgh stars in Jonathan Hall's drama series about a school academy in Salford

Ep 2 A New Normal2021092920220802 (R4)

Second series of Jonathan Hall's comedy drama about an inner city academy school in Salford and how it coped with the pandemic in 2020. Starring Julie Hesmondhalgh.

September 2020. After the chaos of the A Level results, East Salford Academy welcomes back the students. There is going to be a new normal. Rigorous Covid protocols have to be followed. How will they cope with social distancing, classroom bubbles and bottles of cheap hand sanitiser? And that's just the staff.

Yvette ..... Julie Hesmondhalgh
Sir Ken ..... Jonathan Keeble
Tim ..... Ashley Margolis
Joy/Carol ..... Susan Twist
Dhruti ..... Mina Anwar
Chris ..... Jake Ferretti
Candice/Wendy ..... Verity Henry

Producer/Director Gary Brown
A BBC Audio Drama North Production.

With grateful thanks to those who helped with the research-

Tom Barradas Lingard
John Winkley
Isobel Ashmead
Pippa Davies
Pat Thomson

Comedy drama about a secondary school in Salford, starring Julie Hesmondhalgh.

Julie Hesmondhalgh stars in Jonathan Hall's drama series about a school academy in Salford

Ep 2 Purple Enough20200908

The school is having budget difficulties and the financial manager is advocating massive cuts including East Salford's beloved brass band. The Deputy Head is going forward with the rebranding including Byzantium purple hoodies. But then an unfortunate incident occurs in a local nightclub.

Written by Jonathan Hall.

Yvette ..... Julie Hesmondhalgh
Sir Ken ..... .Jonathan Keeble
Tim ..... Ashley Margolis
Dhruti ..... Mina Anwar
Joy/ Tannoy ..... Susan Twist

Director/Producer Gary Brown

School drama starring Julie Hesmondhalgh.

Julie Hesmondhalgh stars in Jonathan Hall's drama series about a school academy in Salford

Ep 2 Purple Enough2020090820220726 (R4)

The school is having budget difficulties and the financial manager is advocating massive cuts including East Salford's beloved brass band. The Deputy Head is going forward with the rebranding including Byzantium purple hoodies. But then an unfortunate incident occurs in a local nightclub.

Written by Jonathan Hall.

Yvette ..... Julie Hesmondhalgh
Sir Ken ..... .Jonathan Keeble
Tim ..... Ashley Margolis
Dhruti ..... Mina Anwar
Joy/ Tannoy ..... Susan Twist

Director/Producer Gary Brown

School drama starring Julie Hesmondhalgh.

Julie Hesmondhalgh stars in Jonathan Hall's drama series about a school academy in Salford

Ep 2 Relocation, Relocation20220809

Sir Ken is trying to force through a restructure which means that some staff will be relocated to more challenging schools. The staff are naturally unhappy, so the unions get involved, but the rep is someone Yvette does not want to deal with.

Written by Jonathan Hall
Yvette..........................Julie Hesmondhalgh
Sir Ken.........................Jonathan Keeble
Tim...............................Ashley Margolis
Dhrutti........................Mina Anwar
Carol/Joy....................Susan Twist
Billy...............................Jason Done

Director/Producer Gary Brown

The Salford Academy Trust is facing the possiblity of a restructure.

Julie Hesmondhalgh stars in Jonathan Hall's drama series about a school academy in Salford

Ep 2, Situation Scarlet20231017~Trust by Jonathan Hall

Ep 2 - Situation Scarlet

On the surface everything seems fine at East Salford Academy. Billy is coping with his treatment, the new computer system is in place and they have a student on the brink of getting into Oxford. So why does Yvette feel anxious all the time?

YVETTE ............................... JULIE HESMONDHALGH

TIM .......................................ASHLEY MARGOLIS

SIR KEN ............................. JONATHAN KEEBLE

CAROL.................................SUSAN TWIST

BILLY ....................................JASON DONE

MR KHAN/FAISAL ...........SUSHIL CHUDASAMA

ALEENA ............................. NATALIE DAVIES

STUDENTS.........................THEO ROBINSON

JAKE CROSS

ISOBEL ELKID

KATIE LEVER

Production Co-ordinator - Pippa Day

Technical Team - Sharon Hughes & Amy Brennan

Sound Design - Sharon Hughes

Producer/Director - Gary Brown.

A BBC Audio Drama North Production.

Comedy drama about an inner city Academy School starring Julie Hesmondhalgh

Julie Hesmondhalgh stars in Jonathan Hall's drama series about a school academy in Salford

Sir Ken is desperate for a pupil to reach Oxford.

Ep 3 - A Surgical Head2020090920220727 (R4)

The biggest success in Quays Academy Trust is Lodestone Academy. This formerly failing school has been spectacularly turned around by Surgical Head Kayleigh Britton. But when East Salford's financial manager is loaned out to help with the books she uncovers some interesting details.

Written by Jonathan Hall.

Yvette ..... Julie Hesmondhalgh
Tim ..... Ashley Margolis
Dhruti ..... Mina Anwar
Sir Ken ..... .Jonathan Keeble
Terry ..... Sushil Chudasama
Tannoy ..... Susan Twist

Director/Producer Gary Brown

School drama starring Julie Hesmondhalgh as Acting Head of East Salford Academy.

Julie Hesmondhalgh stars in Jonathan Hall's drama series about a school academy in Salford

The biggest success in Quays Academy Trust is Lodestone Academy. This formerly failing school has been spectacularly turned around by Surgical Head Kayleigh Britton. But when East Salford's financial manager is loaned out to help with the books she uncovers some interesting details.

Written by Jonathan Hall.

Yvette ..... Julie Hesmondhalgh
Tim ..... Ashley Margolis
Dhruti ..... Mina Anwar
Sir Ken ..... .Jonathan Keeble
Terry ..... Sushil Chudasama
Tannoy ..... Susan Twist

Director/Producer Gary Brown

School drama starring Julie Hesmondhalgh as Acting Head of East Salford Academy.

Julie Hesmondhalgh stars in Jonathan Hall's drama series about a school academy in Salford

Ep 3 - Going Green20220810

East Salford Academy has just had a biomass boiler fitted. Whilst acknowledging that the school has to go green, Yvette discovers it is costly and unreliable. And with the vaccination roll out for the kids in progress, a dodgy boiler is the last thing she needs.

Written by Jonathan Hall
Yvette..........................Julie Hesmondhalgh
Sir Ken.........................Jonathan Keeble
Tim...............................Ashley Margolis
Dhrutti........................Mina Anwar
Carol/Joy....................Susan Twist
Billy...............................Jason Done
Gunner.........................James Quinn
Director/Producer Gary Brown

East Salford Academy has just had a biomass boiler fitted.

Julie Hesmondhalgh stars in Jonathan Hall's drama series about a school academy in Salford

Ep 3, A Non-negotiable Blade20231024~Trust by Jonathan Hall.

Ep 3 - A Non-Negotiable Blade

The school's computer systems are down due to the cyber attack, and they are no further on as to who has done it. Meanwhile a student loner seems troubled by strange graffiti around the school.

YVETTE ............................ JULIE HESMONDHALGH

TIM ....................................ASHLEY MARGOLIS

SIR KEN ............................JONATHAN KEEBLE

CAROL................................SUSAN TWIST

BILLY ..................................JASON DONE

GLORIA ............................EMMA GREGORY

MANDY ............................RACHEL AUSTIN

BARAN .............................TAREQ AL-JEDDAL

Production Co-ordinator - Pippa Day

Tech Team - Sharon Hughes & Amy Brennan

Sound Design - Sharon Hughes

Producer/Director - Gary Brown

A BBC Audio Drama North Production.

Comedy drama about an inner-city secondary school starring Julie Hesmondhalgh.

Julie Hesmondhalgh stars in Jonathan Hall's drama series about a school academy in Salford

The school goes back to basics after the tech is paralysed by a cyber attack.