Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Episode 6

The class embrace the new world of the 1980s. With robots, early computers and synths, the kids get to grips with Britain’s 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 – 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 don’t 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 aren’t 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 Britain’s need for competition and ambition, by hosting a sports day. With winners’ podiums, races, a megaphone and a starting pistol, the pupils see out the 80s with trophies in hand.

59 minutes

Music Played

  • Simple Minds

    Don't You (Forget About Me)

  • Bananarama

    Robert De Niro's Waiting (Extended Version)

  • Queen

    Another One Bites The Dust

  • Dexys Midnight Runners

    Geno

  • Visage

    Fade To Grey

  • The Undertones

    My Perfect Cousin

  • Tubeway Army

    Are Friends Electric

  • The Undertones

    My Perfect Cousin

  • Talking Heads

    Once In A Lifetime

  • Bucks Fizz

    Making Your Mind Up

  • Depeche Mode

    Just Can't Get Enough

  • Joy Division

    Heart And Soul

  • 808 State, Ub40

    One In Ten (808 Original Mix)

  • The Jam

    A Town Called Malice

  • The Jam

    A Town Called Malice

  • Kraftwerk

    Computer World

  • Adam Ant

    Goody Two Shoes

  • Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

    Joan Of Arc

  • Spandau Ballet

    True

  • Eurythmics

    Sweet Dreams

  • Wham!

    Club Tropicana

  • Spandau Ballet

    True

  • Vangelis

    Chariots of Fire

  • Madonna

    Into The Groove

  • Duran Duran

    Wild Boys

  • Simple Minds

    Alive & Kicking

  • Kurtis Blow

    The Breaks

  • The LOX

    The Snitch (Interlude)

  • Έι³ά²Τ‐D.²Ρ.°δ.

    It's Like That

  • Peter Gabriel

    Sledgehammer

  • West Street Mob

    Break Dance (Remix)

  • Public Image Ltd

    Rise (Vocal)

  • The Smiths

    The Boy With The Thorn In His Side

  • Prince & The Revolution

    Kiss

  • Cameo

    Word Up

  • Pet Shop Boys

    It's A Sin

  • Inner City, Kevin Saunderson

    Big Fun

  • ³§β€ΝΦ³ζ±θ°ω±π²υ²υ

    Theme From S'Express

    Remix Artist: Detlef.
  • Bros

    I Owe You Nothing (Club Mix)

  • The Waterboys

    Fisherman's Blues

  • Kylie Minogue

    I Should Be So Lucky

  • Madonna

    Express Yourself

  • The Stone Roses

    Waterfall

  • A Guy Called Gerald

    Voodoo Ray

  • ΆΩ±π±π±π‐LΎ±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