A tale of two Huws and a very Special School

“Almost without us realising it, over the last decade a whole new chapter in the story of Wales has begun. This programme is a great chance to investigate the changes we’ve seen, and to assess where they might be leading the country.”

— Huw Edwards

Ten years after presenting the landmark series The Story of Wales, BBC News at Ten’s Huw Edwards returns to weigh up the dramatic changes of the past decade. In the hour-long documentary, produced by Cardiff based production company Wildflame, the journalist and broadcaster asks what those changes mean for Wales today, the way it’s governed and its sense of identity.

Huw Edwards says: “Almost without us realising it, over the last decade a whole new chapter in the story of Wales has begun. This programme is a great chance to investigate the changes we’ve seen, and to assess where they might be leading the country.”

The second commission, also by Wildflame, The Story of Welsh Music, fronted by broadcaster and music fanatic Huw Stephens uncovers the amazing full story of Welsh music. Meeting some of the biggest and best-loved names in Welsh pop, folk, choral and classical music, Huw gradually builds up a Welsh music mixtape, selecting favourite works from across genres and centuries, and creating links between music of all types.

Finally, the third commission sees a return on screen to Britain’s biggest special education school, Ysgol y Deri in Penarth, to revisit the lives of those seen in the first series of the BAFTA Cymru nominated A Special School, as well as meeting some inspirational new faces. Production company: Slam Media.

BBC Wales’ head of content commissioning, Nick Andrews says: “It’s terrific to be able to tell these important stories and fantastic to have the very best production teams doing their best work for us. I’m delighted that The Open University are partnering with us as it guarantees audiences of all ages will enjoy these stories.”

Dr Caroline Ogilvie, Head of Broadcast & Partnerships at The Open University, adds: “The Open University has been in partnership with the BBC for over 50 years with a focus on co-producing factual, educational programmes with fascinating stories to inspire and inform people. We are delighted to be able to support these programmes.”

Louise Casella, Director, The Open University and Wales says: “These newly commissioned series reflect the importance of the unique relationship between the OU and the BBC. Huw Edwards’ documentary will give us all the chance to re-consider some of the issues raised in the original series, as well as ask ‘where next?’ for us as a country. We’re also looking forward to The Story of Welsh Music – which I’m sure will give a great insight into our musical tradition as well as the work of our contemporary artists.

“It’s great to have both Huw Edwards and Huw Stephens involved in these projects – they are two fantastic storytellers who can bring these subjects to life in our living rooms. A Special School also made a huge impression when it was first broadcast, and I’m certain that viewers of the first series will look forward to catching up with staff and pupils this time around.”

GJ4

About The Open University

The OU has had a unique educational partnership with the BBC since 1971 and today focuses on supporting the University’s social mission by extending reach and engagement. Each year the OU co-produces a wide range of television, audio – radio and podcasts, digital and social content with the BBC. Recent series for television include, Write Around the World, Forensics: The Real CSI, Dementia and Us, The Detectives, Fever Pitch: The History of the Premier League, Gold Town, Plant Britain and Greta: A Year to Save the World. Audio co-productions including All in the Mind, The Bottom Line, BBC Inside Science and More or less for Radio 4 and podcast series’ Bad People and Think with Pinker on BBC Sounds. The OU play list on BBC Ideas has generated over 4.2m views from 43 videos.

Their programmes have achieved more than 286.10m* viewing and listening events last year which prompted more than 630,700* visits to our broadcast related content, hosted on the OU’s Broadcast and Partnerships website.

For further media information about OU co-productions please visit the website

For more general enquiries please visit The Open University

*estimated final figure as two series are still to complete transmission