Waterloo Road | Series 1 Preview (BBC One)

Familiar faces Kim Campbell (Angela Griffin), Donte Charles (Adam Thomas) and Chlo Charles (Katie Griffiths) are back, alongside the new class of Waterloo Road, and fans were recently treated to a glimpse of what to expect from the popular show in first-look images, promising lots of drama and big storylines.

As a new school year begins, a peaceful protest turns into a school riot and the events of the day will have huge ramifications for everyone involved.

Across the term, Waterloo Road’s teachers and parents are going to have to learn on their feet as they try to navigate the ever changing social landscape - from teen homelessness to the cost of living, being LGBTQ+, racism, sexism, mental health and everything else facing young teens today.

Amongst the chaos, the students, faculty and parents still make time for friendships, fun, and a few romances. The pupils have a lot to contend with this term, but they will learn to lean on one another to survive the year and try to stay out of detention as much as possible.

Riots, scandals, fractured families and challenging kids – for Headteacher Kim Campbell and her team, fire-fighting is a way of life. Who said education was easy?

Waterloo Road returns Tuesday 3rd January at 8pm on BBC One. All episodes available the same day on BBC iPlayer.