Educating… Gateshead?
You've heard of Educating Essex and Educating Yorkshire... well how about Educating Gateshead?
Parents of children from Lord Lawson of Beamish Academy in Birtley have received a letter to say the same production company are considering filming there.
TwoFour Broadcast have told the school that it stood out for its warmth, atmosphere and inspiring teaching environment so will be back to do some more research and explore the possibility of filming there.
Many parents have taken to Facebook and Twitter to express their concern about it, thinking it could be a distraction from pupils studies or that some kids will act up for the camera. However, some people think it could be positive for the school.
Andrea Boyd from Birtley has two sons at the school. The youngest is Marley who is 12-years-old and has ADHD. Andrea told Metro Radio that this could be an opportunity for parents to learn more about his condition, as she says her son is often branded as naughty or being a class clown.
Andrea said:
“It would be good if they can show that mainstream schools can look after kids like that, to show other parents that it’s not just about ‘normal’ kids but kids with challenging behaviour as well.”
“I do understand that some of the parents will object to the show going ahead. But on the plus side it will show kids with challenging behaviour that not all parents understand. People might actually understand what it’s like to have a child with challenging behaviour. I’m actually quite sick of people saying how bad he is.”
Mark Lovatt, principal of Lord Lawson of Beamish Academy said:
“The production company involved with the series are researching a number of potential schools and have asked if they can make a short (not for broadcast) taster tape. I would like to clarify that we have not yet made any decision whether to engage with the series and nor would we do so without further consultation with parents, students, and Governors.”
“My personal view is that I can see both pros and cons about being involved in such a series. I would need to be convinced that there would be little or no disruption to the day to day running of the Academy or to our core business which is the education of young people.”
“Having said that we are really proud of the Academy and it could be a great opportunity to showcase the outstanding practice at Lord Lawson as well as a really positive story for education in the North East of England.”
A spokesperson for TwoFour Broadcast said:
“During the development of any potential series, we look at a number of locations. At this stage, both the possibility of a new series and its location have not yet been decided.”