Educating Yorkshire

Channel 4 viewers were left emotional on Sunday night as Educating Yorkshire headteacher Mr Burton broke down in tears

Educating Yorkshire viewers were left in tears on Sunday evening after witnessing headmaster Mr Burton break down following a harrowing incident.

The devastating scenes played out after a pupil made threats against Mr Burton’s family and vowed to “burn down the school”.

Mr. Burton was subsequently told to return to his office, while the youngster was removed from the premises.

“You never know what kind of day you’re gonna have when you arrive,” the headmaster reflected. “You have your good days and you have your bad.

“Certainly, early in teaching, you go through those weeks or half terms when you think, ‘Oh, my goodness me, is there something easier you can do?”” reports Leeds Live.

He continued, “The minute that you think the job is easy, or you’ve got a really easy day in front of you, something will happen to change that.”

The programme then showed another teacher speaking to the youngster as he led him away from the school grounds, saying, “I can see you’re angry, mate, all right. I just want you to sit, that’s all I’m asking.”

A fellow staff member then informed Mr Burton he must head back to his office because of the menacing words directed at him. They said, “Threats to you, threats to your house, threats to burn the school down.”

Speaking to cameras, Mr Burton said, “The hardest things to deal with are when you feel as if you can’t be the advocate for the child that you want to be, and that’s heartbreaking.”

The headteacher was visibly emotional as he confided in a colleague, “C*** that, isn’t it? You just think of the kids.

“I know he’s going through a lot. his grief… but I have got three little’uns at home. You deal with it, don’t you? But threats to burn my house down.”

Fans took to social media to share their reactions, with one saying, “Nobody should be reduced to tears at work (coming from someone who cries at work most days.”

Another commented, “Comes to something when the headmaster starts crying.”

Viewers were also moved when Year 7 student Ismaeel won Year Rep..

“I’ve never been happier or more invested in someone I’ve never met before,” one viewer gushed.

“The next stop for Ismaael is No. 10,” another tweeted, while a third added with a crying face emoji, “Yes, Ismaeel.”

Another fan shared, “Him getting his fellow candidates an applause. So many people could learn a thing or two about kindness from this kid.

“In flipping tears here. That little boy is an inspiration. Bless him,” one fan enthused.

Educating Yorkshire is available to watch on All4.

Educating Yorkshire returned for another episode on Sunday night where the teachers discussed a concerning trend at school

Educating Yorkshire viewers were quick to share their concern on Sunday’s episode as the teachers discussed a challenging new problem within schools.

During the latest episode, the staff discussed how AI is affecting the school more widely and how they must adapt to this ever-changing and very modern challenge.

At one point, teachers were concerned that one student had used AI to create their Shakespeare essay.

The English teacher pointed out: “I have tried to mark it and it’s actually really really good but way ahead than what the other students have managed…” as she asked another teacher, who had taught the same student the previous year, for their opinion.

Analysing the work, the teachers pointed out the use of subheadings, paragraphs, punctuation and hardly any spelling mistakes, suggesting the student had used AI.

The English teacher said: “I can’t prove it without speaking to her” and later she spoke to the student, who denied using AI for their essay.

Sharing their frustrations, the teacher said that if students use AI, they don’t know how to assess their skills and help make them better. The teacher also pointed out that if students deny using AI, how do you prove it.

Later in the episode, the show dealt with another incident using AI that happened over the weekend. A student had used AI to make a video of two students at school which was now being circulated on Snapchat.

Headmaster, Mr Burton, said: “AI is a new problem, schools are finding out what the right way to use AI is and utilise its capabilities and then also be aware of the potential pitfalls.”

Discussing the AI incident with another teacher, they commented: “It’s frightening what people can do with AI now, though, isn’t it?” to which Mr Burton responded: “Terrifying!”

Taking to Twitter, now X, viewers were quick to share their thoughts on AI and shared their sympathies for how teachers are supposed to deal with it, especially as technology is likely to advance.

One person said: “Can’t imagine how hard it is for teachers now with AI being so readily available #EducatingYorkshire” while a different account put: “AI’s a major problem for schools and higher education. #EducatingYorkshire.”

Meanwhile, another show watcher added: “I just don’t know how Teachers are going to stamp out kids using AI to do their homework.. #educatingyorkshire.”

Educating Yorkshire continues on Sunday nights at 8pm on Channel 4.