"Educating Yorkshire" is a British documentary television series that follows the everyday lives of the staff and pupils at Thornhill Community Academy, a secondary school in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire. It originally aired in 2013-2014 and was the second series after the success of "Educating Essex." The show gained significant attention for its real-life portrayal of school life and the challenges faced by students and teachers. It highlights stories of resilience and effort, such as a memorable segment where a teacher helps a student overcome a stammer, which had a transformative impact on the student's life. The series reveals not only the academic side but also the social and emotional aspects of schooling, showing the perseverance, grit, and kindness of young people. After the initial series, the show continued with specials and revisits, including a "One Year On" episode that explored what had happened to the students post-filming. As of 2025, a new series has been announced and promoted, showcasing inspiring tales from the school, with a new campaign placing students at the heart of the storytelling process. The school featured had a challenging reputation but showed marked improvement under a proactive headmaster, making it a compelling setting for the documentary to showcase positive education and youth stories in Yorkshire. "Educating Yorkshire" has been widely praised for its honest and heartfelt approach to education, revealing the transformative power of teachers and the resilience of students in a diverse community setting.
