Episode 6
The class embrace the new world of the 1980s. With robots, early computers and synths, the kids get to grips with Britainβs new high-tech future.
15 pupils and their teachers embark on an extraordinary time-travelling adventure to discover just how much life at school has changed over the past 100 years. The school itself is their time machine, transporting them through seven eras of British history. From Victorian grandeur and the age of Empire, through a postwar grammar, a 60s Secondary Modern, and finally the dawning of the digital revolution in the 80s and 90s.
Guided through their time travels by presenter Sara Cox and social historian Polly Russell, everything the students and teachers experience β from the lessons they learn, to the dinners they eat, technology, discipline and playtime, will be based on historical data and school records from the past.
Our pupils and teachers arrive in the 1980s. The revolutionary spirit of the 70s has all but disappeared and in its place, a return to discipline, rules and uniformity. The focus of teaching is all about competition, entrepreneurialism and technology. Their first lesson embraces the technological revolution as the teacher unveils a cutting edge gadget, a 2XL robot. As they attempt to answer the robots questions, they are baffled about how this could be called high-tech - even if it might have been acceptable in the 80s.
Next up, it is double maths. But by now even this everlasting bastion of the classroom has had a facelift. With the latest ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ microcomputers making their way into schools in 1982, this very 21st-century tech-addicted class try out a new maths programme - they just donβt have a clue how to work it.
School dinner has left behind its silver service roots as the canteen opens for business. Dinner ladies in tabards serve up fast food, to a fanfare from the students. They eat chips for the first time in 87 years, paired with crispy pancakes, wrinkly sausages, beans and potato waffles.
In 1983, with the arrival of affordable synthesisers, the class get the chance to embrace the booming synthpop industry in the UK in their music lesson. And there is a very special guest, Nik Kershaw, who listens to them playing some smash hits, before performing his own song especially for them. Inspired by their new love for synth, the kids, parents and teachers rock out to some of the most iconic tunes of the decade at their very 80s school disco - all finished off in true style, with a slow dance to Spandau Ballet.
Amidst all the technology, there are some school traditions that never change. For the boys this means a cross-country run. Despite Seb Coe winning gold at the Olympics in 1984, some of our class arenβt feeling the competitive drive. And while they struggle through hedges and fields, the girls are trying out a brand new sport complete with leotards, leggings and of course, leg warmers. It is rhythmic gymnastics, complete with ribbons and hula hoops.
In 1985, the teachers go on strike, so the kids head to a local park where they get stuck in to a class 80s past-time, breakdancing to Run DMC. And they are joined by professional b-boy Steady.
The 80s are a decade of business, and in 1988, the pupils embrace their inner-entrepreneurs, as they are tasked with inventing ideas in their class for top inventions like the Motorola Dynatec, a Sony Walkman and a Kodak fling.
As the end of the era draws in, the school truly embraces Britainβs need for competition and ambition, by hosting a sports day. With winnersβ podiums, races, a megaphone and a starting pistol, the pupils see out the 80s with trophies in hand.
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Music Played
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Simple Minds
Don't You (Forget About Me)
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Bananarama
Robert De Niro's Waiting (Extended Version)
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Queen
Another One Bites The Dust
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Dexys Midnight Runners
Geno
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Visage
Fade To Grey
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The Undertones
My Perfect Cousin
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Tubeway Army
Are Friends Electric
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The Undertones
My Perfect Cousin
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Talking Heads
Once In A Lifetime
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Bucks Fizz
Making Your Mind Up
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Depeche Mode
Just Can't Get Enough
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Joy Division
Heart And Soul
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808 State, Ub40
One In Ten (808 Original Mix)
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The Jam
A Town Called Malice
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The Jam
A Town Called Malice
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Kraftwerk
Computer World
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Adam Ant
Goody Two Shoes
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Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Joan Of Arc
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Spandau Ballet
True
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Eurythmics
Sweet Dreams
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Wham!
Club Tropicana
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Spandau Ballet
True
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Vangelis
Chariots of Fire
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Madonna
Into The Groove
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Duran Duran
Wild Boys
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Simple Minds
Alive & Kicking
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Kurtis Blow
The Breaks
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The LOX
The Snitch (Interlude)
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Έι³ά²ΤβD.²Ρ.°δ.
It's Like That
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Peter Gabriel
Sledgehammer
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West Street Mob
Break Dance (Remix)
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Public Image Ltd
Rise (Vocal)
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The Smiths
The Boy With The Thorn In His Side
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Prince & The Revolution
Kiss
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Cameo
Word Up
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Pet Shop Boys
It's A Sin
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Inner City, Kevin Saunderson
Big Fun
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³§βΝΦ³ζ±θ°ω±π²υ²υ
Theme From S'Express
Remix Artist: Detlef. -
Bros
I Owe You Nothing (Club Mix)
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The Waterboys
Fisherman's Blues
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Kylie Minogue
I Should Be So Lucky
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Madonna
Express Yourself
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The Stone Roses
Waterfall
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A Guy Called Gerald
Voodoo Ray
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ΆΩ±π±π±πβLΎ±³Ω±π
Groove Is In The Heart (Bootsified To The Nth Degree Edit)
Credits
Role | Contributor |
---|---|
Presenter | Sara Cox |
Presenter | Polly Russell |
Producer | Claire Parry |
Production Manager | Jeanne Clenet |
Executive Producer | Emily Shields |
Editor | Dilesh Korya |
Director | Francis Welch |
Series Producer | Christina Nutter |
Series Producer | Morgana Pugh |
Broadcasts
- Thu 14 Feb 2019 20:00
- Sat 16 Feb 2019 18:00ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Two except Wales & Wales HD
- Fri 1 Mar 2019 01:45
- Thu 21 Oct 2021 19:00ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Two except Scotland
- Tue 13 Dec 2022 16:00ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Two except Scotland