Educating Yorkshire 2025: A Fresh Look at British Education Through the Lens of Thornhill Academy
Return of a Beloved Documentary Series
Channel 4’s beloved TV series, Educating Yorkshire, is making its comeback a decade after its initial broadcast. The Bafta and Emmy award-winning documentary series, which first aired in 2013, captured the nation’s hearts by following the lives of students and staff at Thornhill Community Academy in Dewsbury.
New Challenges in Modern Education
The series tackles pressing contemporary issues in education, from rising teenage anxiety and exam pressure to a national attendance crisis and the impact of mobile phones and social media. The education sector faces significant challenges nationally, with recruitment difficulties resulting in nearly a third of teachers leaving the profession within five years.
The new series at Thornhill Community Academy aims to tell stories of modern Britain through the lens of one remarkable school. Among the contemporary challenges, teachers must now deal with students using AI in their assessments, while also addressing fundamental issues such as literacy support.
Leadership and Production Details
Channel 4’s Rita Daniels emphasizes the importance of telling the complex story of young people in Britain in 2025 through this iconic institution. The series will showcase Mr Burton in his new leadership role, while exploring how educational practices have evolved since the original series, particularly in light of social media’s influence, the post-COVID landscape, and increasing academic pressures.
Broadcast Information
The new series broadcasts weekly on Sunday nights from August 31, airing on Channel 4/4HD at 8pm. Episodes run for approximately one hour, including advertisements, and viewers can watch both live and on catch-up via Channel 4’s streaming platform.
Legacy and Impact
The first series of Educating Yorkshire remains one of Channel 4’s best-performing factual titles on its streaming platform. The upcoming series promises to reinvent the brand while building on its legacy, exploring new narratives ranging from exam stress and friendship dilemmas to national crises and the evolving influence of technology in education.
