Headteacher Mr Drew Povey and his two deputies - Mrs Benigno, and Drew's older brother Ross - have their work cut out as Year 11 mocks season begins at Harrop Fold School. There are tears, tantrums and refusals to even sit the exams, so it shouldn't surprise the staff when the results are in and aren't good. With only a few months until the real GCSEs - in a climate of budget cuts, a new exam system, and with one of the toughest year groups they've ever had - Mr Povey is having sleepless nights and Mrs Benigno is doing all she can to turn things around. The school throw everything they have at the problem, putting on extra lessons, calling a special parents' evening and trying to inspire confidence in their students. And all this while Mr Povey has to keep the rest of the school running. His background in behaviour management is put to the test when Year 8 Sean has a fight in the corridor.