Henley College

Henley College is a British television drama series set in a higher education college of the same name, broadcast on BBC One. The series is based in South Wales and films in Swansea. When the series was announced in mid-2017, it was promoted as 'the Waterloo Road of the next generation' (Waterloo Road was a similar school-based series that also aired on BBC One). The BBC also confirmed the show would run in 'cycles' of episodes rather than annual series, with the first cycle set to premiere in on September 5th 2018, running for 8 episodes, with a second cycle broadcasting another 8 episodes in early 2019 and a third to follow that spring. Each cycle will reflect a term at Henley College.

Premise
As new principal Edward Blanche arrives at the recently renovated college in the Welsh town of Henley, he's in for a surprise when he discovers that things aren't quite as the college's board of trustees had suggested when he was offered the job.

Staff

 * Principal Edward Blanche, a well-respected and high profile English teacher from London who is hired by the board of trustees after the former principal resigned unexpectedly. He plans a complete overhaul of the college, to a mixed reception. After his first year, which has been of mediocre success, he is sacked by the trustees and is instead offered the job of English teacher, after James Baker is offered the principal job on Nora's recommendation. He takes a leave of absence to recover from the embarrassment of being demoted and returns for second term the following year. (Cycle 1 - 3, Cycle 5 -)
 * Nora Wallace, the long-serving campus manager at Henley, who considers herself the eyes and ears of the college. She's popular amongst staff and students and believed she was a shoe-in to be the new principal, leaving her bitter and resentful towards Edward. When she finds out Edward is going to be sacked as Principal, she recommends James for the job over herself after witnessing his competence. (Cycle 1 - )
 * James Baker, the strict but fair head of first years and an English teacher, he oversees the introduction of students to the school, but his position is put into jeopardy when Edward considers merging his role was Julia's. He eventually gets the Principal job thanks to Nora's recommendation, and allows his role as Head of first years to be absorbed into Julia's, to her delight and thanks. (Cycle 1 - )
 * Julia Wall, the tough head of humanities and head of second years, the sociology teacher is feared by some but respected by all and is the go-to for any student with an issue. She's a long-standing staff member who doesn't take any nonsense, she is furious when she learns her position of head of second years has been put in compromise by Edward. When Edward is sacked after she complains about his competency to the board of trustees, his successor James gives her a promotion, changing the title of Head of Second Years to Head of Student Welfare, to her delight and thanks. (Cycle 1 - )
 * Ellen Maxwell, the Head of A-Levels and a teacher of Geography at Henley. She is a timid and nervous teacher who only wants what's best for her students, but often finds herself at the wrath of her more rowdy pupils, leading her to doubt her abilities as a manager and as a teacher. When James becomes principal at the end of term, he gives Ellen a pep talk and convinces her to stay at Henley, which she does. (Cycle 1 - )
 * Philippa Brown, the college's newly arrived head of Languages who's arrival is overshadowed by Edward's. She tries to make her mark by introducing many exotic languages to the MFL curriculum, but when Julia catches wind of her dropping student numbers, she tries to save Philippa from Edward's ax. However, despite Julia's best efforts, Edward sacks her at the end of the term 2, which leads to Julia's complaint and Edwards ultimate dismissal. After a string of substitutes in term 3, newly-appointed James restores Philippa to her position ready for the next year at the college. (Cycle 1 - 2, Cycle 4 - )
 * Tina Turner, the college's head dinner-lady and director of catering, she's a comical woman who finds fun in anything, but when Edward questions her abilities, her attitude becomes more secluded and serious, to the anger of students and staff alike. She quits at the end of the first term after Edward mocks her publicly, but returns when James becomes principal, since her position has remained vacant. (Cycle 1, Cycle 4 - )

Students

 * Raff Samuels, a second year who's considered the college's golden boy, having received stellar grades at first year, he's practically guaranteed a spot in Cambridge, but when he falls into a new crowd, his friends and teachers become concerned he's losing track of his prospects.
 * Sally Waters, a first year who proves to be popular with Julia Walls, a rare occurrence. Her likability amongst her new friends too provides a cover for her dark home life.
 * Joshua Waters,