The popular channel 4 drama is set within a fictional school – but was inspired by real schools in lancashire and yorkshire that were set up to integrate the white and asian communities in some of the most divided towns in the country. Robert james collier joins the cast of regulars. With its near the knuckle humour and emotional storylines, it explores the complicated lives of pupils and teachers alike. The second series ended with the future of ackley bridge looking precarious as mandy was struggling to figure out how she would afford to keep the school open without having to make mass redundancies or sell off its assets. At the last minute, the school was taken over and saved by the valley trust – and to mandy’s relief, she held onto her job as headteacher. But it’s not going to be plain sailing. This latest series takes place in a “new era” as new deputy head martin evershed and director of behaviour sue carp arrive ready to “whip the pupils into shape.”