School’s Back – Educating Yorkshire to return to Channel 4 for a new series

Following the hugely successful return of Educating Yorkshire, Channel 4 has commissioned a new series from Twofour, once again opening the doors of Thornhill Community Academy to capture the realities of growing up and teaching in modern Britain. Led by Headteacher Matthew Burton, the series will continue to tell heartfelt, humorous and authentic stories from the classroom and beyond. Building on the legacy of the Emmy-winning original series, while remaining firmly rooted in the issues shaping a new generation, this new series promises another compelling, uplifting and unfiltered portrait of life inside one of Britain’s most remarkable schools.

Reaching 8.7 million viewers across linear and streaming (28-day consolidated), Educating Yorkshire was also a hit with young audiences, attaining a 28% share of 16-34s, up 195% on slot average (0-7 days). The series was also Bafta-nominated in 2026.

The series had demonstrable real-world impact. 3 in 10 [1] viewers surveyed aged 16-34 said that the series inspired them to consider a career in education or youth work. 8 in 10 viewers surveyed felt that programmes like Educating Yorkshire were important in providing hope and reassurance to other parents or students going through similar situations.

Rita Daniels, Commissioning Editor at Channel 4 said: “Last year’s return to Thornhill Community Academy was both insightful and emotional, providing the perfect snapshot of today’s high school experience. The Thornhill kids were brave and brilliant when opening up about the modern challenges of teenage life. We know that there will be kids across the country dealing with similar issues and we hope they will continue to see themselves in a new series of this exceptional show.”

Matthew Burton, Headteacher at Thornhill Community Academy, said: “I’m really pleased to welcome Twofour back to Thornhill, to highlight more of the important work that goes on in schools up and down the country, day in, day out.

As many people will have seen last year, our students and staff are so inspiring, and to have the chance, again, to show the extent of the quiet, life-changing work that happens day by day is a real privilege.

Our priority at TCA will always be sharply focusing on the safety, wellbeing and education of our students. We look forward to working (hard and being nice) with Twofour and Channel 4 to develop an important series over the next year.”

David Clews, Twofour Chief Creative Officer, said: “The response to the return of Educating Yorkshire was a total joy. Audiences once again embraced the warmth, humour and humanity of life inside a modern British school. We’re delighted to be returning to Thornhill to tell new stories that are funny, moving, challenging and inspiring in equal measure.”

Grace Reynolds, Exec Producer, added: “The extraordinary teachers and staff help the students navigate some of the most important years of their lives. While headlines often focus on the challenges facing teenagers today, our experience making the series tells a different story. Spend time in Thornhill and you’ll find resilience, compassion, ambition and optimism. If it reminds us of anything, it’s that the future is in remarkably good hands.”

Educating Yorkshire is an 8 x 60’, produced by Twofour, part of ITV Studios. The Commissioning Editors for Channel 4 are Rita Daniels and Madonna Benjamin. The Executive Producers are David Clews, Alex Kohler, Grace Reynolds. Series Editor is Kate Walker. Series Producer is Emily Cadman. Production Exec is Helen Robson. Line Producer is Sarah Bell.

[1] 274 viewers of Channel 4’s Educating Yorkshire undertook a self-completion online survey via our Core4 panel (which is made up of Channel 4 registered users). Fieldwork took place between 29 October 2025 – 5 November 2025.

[1] 274 viewers of Channel 4’s Educating Yorkshire undertook a self-completion online survey via our Core4 panel (which is made up of Channel 4 registered users). Fieldwork took place between 29 October 2025 – 5 November 2025.