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A new academy school in a Yorkshire mill town merges the lives and cultures of the largely divided white and Asian community
A new teacher joins the school, with outspoken views that capture the hearts of Fizza and Hassan. Marina's efforts to boost her standing on social media cause outrage among the parents and puts Martin in a very difficult position.
Kayla is sent into a spiral of anxiety as she contemplates having sex with Johnny, and receives some devastating news as a consequence of Jules' new job. Kaneez is given the task of heading up the Year 11 sex education classes, while Asma is unwillingly partnered with Hassan to revive the girls' rugby team.
Johnny spirals down a dangerous path to try to make Kayla stay in Ackley. Martin risks all to help get Johnny out of trouble. Marina's brother Kyle lands at school, causing chaos for Kaneez and persuading Marina to stay with him on the estate.
Pressure mounts for Fizza as she is made captain of the debate team in an upcoming competition against St Marks. Struggling to balance school with managing her father's deteriorating mental health, she finds herself unexpectedly bonding with debate partner Chloe. Meanwhile, Asma and Hassan have a tense exchange at Muslim speed dating.
Kaneez is caught up in a puppy heist while trying to manage tearaway Kyle and study for her GCSEs. Fizza seeks Asma's help but makes a shock discovery.
Asma appeals to Fizza, desperate to keep her alcoholism a secret, but her problems only get worse. Marina intervenes in Fizza and Chloe's romance.
On the day of the girls' rugby tournament. Marina tries to bottle it after facing online abuse from the St Marks captain, but still manages to catch the eye of a boy in the crowd. At an afterparty, the pair get close, but things take a disturbing turn when he starts to push things too far. Meanwhile, Asma and Hassan go on their first date.
With the support of Fizza, Hayley and Chloe, Marina finds the strength and courage to understand her sexual assault. Everything comes to a head when St Marks arrive back at Ackley for the boys' rugby match.
On exam day, Fizza receives a distressing call from Asif that makes her drop everything. Meanwhile, Kyle steals an exam paper for Kaneez, and Asma finally realises that she needs to get professional help.
On the the day of the leavers ball, Johnny decides to quit his audition after having a crisis of confidence - though Rashid is determined to change his mind. Fizza struggles to cope after her father is hospitalised, while Martin's head is on the block at the school governors' meeting, but Marina has a plan to help.
Sunetra Sarker
Kaneez Paracha
Laila Zaidi
Asma Farooqi
Tony Jayawardena
Rashid Hyatt
Robert James-Collier
Martin Evershed
Charlie Hardwick
Sue Carp
Phoebe Tuffs-Berry
Rukhsana Ibrahim
Zara Salim
Kacey "Spud" Gartside
Hareet Deol
Hassan Hussein
Robyn Cara
Kayla Azfal
Yasmin Al-Khudhairi
Fizza Akhtar
Ryan Dean
Johnny Cooper
Adam Little
Kyle Dobson
