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A hapless but caring teacher tries to control his class of unruly kids. The teacher sees much good and potential in his pupils, much to the dismay of his fellow teachers who have lost hope in these kids.
1968
When newly-qualified teacher Bernard Hedges arrives at Fenn Street Secondary Modern School to start his first job, even he hasn't bargained on what awaits him.
Bernard Hedges has to use all his tact when a member of the art club produces some stunning life studies of one of his unruly class - in the nude.
Things start hotting up for Bernard Hedges when a pupil gets a crush on him. He thinks that he is settling into the district rather well, but when Maureen Bullock is seen leaving his new flat the rumours begin to fly.
Apollon Abapellogopholis means more problems for Bernard Hedges. Pronouncing his name is trouble enough, but when Appollon rings the school fire alarm he decides to take firm measures with the boy.
Bernard Hedges' touching faith in the virtues of 5C is often misplaced. The worst seems to have happened when he entrusts them with the library key in order to look after the library, outside school hours.
An old flame from Bernard's student days turns up as a trainee teacher. She disrupts not only his life but 5C's as well.
End-of-term at Fenn Street, and the staff wait for their traditional presents from their forms. Bernard's anticipation at the thought of what he might get from 5C is tempered by the news that the injured Mr Wiggins will be fit to return as 5C's form master next term.
1969
Bernard's attempts to teach maths by using betting as an example earns him admiration from not only 5C but a man who just happens to be painting the classroom walls.
It's 5C to the rescue when Sharon is attacked on the common going home. Suspicion falls on Potter the Caretaker but how can he prove his innocence?
Bernard's efforts to stimulate interest in the Parent-teacher Association ends in chaos when Panalal, a young Indian boy, joins 5C.
Bernard's new job as sports master gives him the chance to help Eric Duffy solve a problem. Then Eric decides that one good turn deserves another.
Potter the caretaker fought in the North Africa regiment during World War II - known as the "desert rats". So when Form 5C get the chance to adopt an animal, they decide on a Jerboa, otherwise known as a desert rat and decide to call him Norman.
Fenn Street is having an open day and each class must contribute, even 5C. The only problem is that no-one told Bernard.
After a particularly raucous night out, Bernard wakes up in a strange bed in a state of alcoholic confusion. Things get worse when he discovers the bed belongs to Sharon's mother.
Potter's on the warpath as someone has painted his wellies but 5C claim innocence. Bernard tries to get them interested in caring for geriatrics but the enthusiasm is lacking.
Miss Ewell entertains an offer of migrating to Australia and the staff and kids rejoice. But if she goes then her role as Deputy Headteacher needs filling and Mr Price has his eye on it.
The Headmaster, Mr Cromwell, decides to divide the school into houses. But Bernard discovers that 5C's voting methods do not run along the normal lines.
Fenn Street School dinners are not very appetising, and teachers and pupils alike are avoiding them. Bernard does his best to remedy the situation, but he discovers Mr Potter is in league with the cook.
The Headmaster invites the staff out to dinner to celebrate his birthday - at their own expense. Abbott endeavours to copy Duffy's technique with the opposite sex, but after a night out with Maureen Bullock, he only lands himself in trouble with the police.
The staff arrange an outing to the theatre for the fifth form. But the redoubtable Miss Ewell dampens the enthusiasm of all concerned by disapproving of the choice of dress of some of the pupils.
1970
A new term starts at Fenn Street and this means even more trouble for Bernard Hedges. Apart from the day-to-day hazards of teaching 5C, he has to prepare his unruly bunch for their imminent launching on an unsuspecting world. As prospective school leavers, 5C have to consider their future prospects.
Bernard gets engaged and Abbott gets appendicitis.
Why does one set about weighing Fenn Street School? It seems that Bernard believes that acts like this will help prepare 5C for their entry into the great, wide world at the end of this term.
Duffy enters the embraces of the cold and harsh world outside school and finds it cold and harsh.
When Smithy falls ill in the country, Bernard sees Reigate in all its rustic glory. He is quite smitten and dreams of the idyllic married life there, but his fiance, Penny, dreams otherwise.
Maureen feels rejected, not only by Sir but now by Monsignor Sopwith.
Bernard has an annoying habit of being honourable - even when playing golf. But what of his pupils? When Duffy invites Sharon to a half-term Majorcan holiday, will the habit be catching?
When "Hank" Abbott, private detective, goes into action, he opens the cupboards that let out the skeletons. One produces a rash of honesty from Potter. The other makes Cromwell feel that Miss Ewell might yet be won back from Mr Sibley.
Bernard and 5C drop in at the Conservative Club and make new friends. Maureen also makes a new friend, but he is more interested in dropping out.
It takes a face in a thousand to star in an advertising campaign, but Bernard and Potter make it a two-horse race.
When Bernard hears Abbott's version of the facts of life - which can only be described as high fiction - he feels that it is time to teach 5C the facts of life in an adult way.
With the end of the school term approaching, most of Fenn Street's form 5C are already fixed up with jobs, but animal-loving Dennis Dunstable still has no apparent future. Then Bernard has a brainwave which looks like the solution.
As 5C break up for the very last time, they prepare to take life by the throat, the shirt, the vest or anything else they can lay their hands on.
Bernard and Penny dream of their wedding day: it should be the happiest day of their lives. However, Potter is chief usher, class 5C are guests, the meteorological department forecasts snow and there are those inevitable unforeseen problems.
Richard Davies
Mr. Price
Erik Chitty
Mr. Smith
Joan Sanderson
Doris Ewell
Deryck Guyler
Norman Potter
Noel Howlett
Mr. Cromwell
1971
Bernard has to say goodbye to his 5C class at Fenn Street School but his new class (4C) brings some unexpected problems.
Bernard has finally decided to leave Fenn Street School, but he finds that resigning is not as simple as he had imagined.
All contributions are gratefully accepted when magazine time comes around at Fenn Street School. But headmaster Cromwell's efforts to muster his usual support are thwarted by an irate local shopkeeper and Fenn Street's alternative press.
Georgie Duffy is nervous. He is due to start his first term at Fenn Street School - three weeks late. But big brother Eric, a member of last year's 5C and an old hand at dealing with authority, explains that there is nothing to worry about.
Bernard Hedges has left Fenn Street School and the gap has been filled by Mr Dix, a living example of everything a teacher should not be. The staff long for a new young champion to challenge this tyrant, but when David Ffitchett-Brown arrives wearing beads, they wonder just what sort of champion they have.
Cromwell's yo-yo obsession helps distract him from David's request for new school supplies, including a new television set that Mr Price attacked with Nitric Acid after his horse had lost a horse race. But between themselves and Potter they work out a cunning plan.
When Cromwell succumbs to an attack of administrative megalomania, the Charge of the Light Brigade is cancelled, a class is lost at the cinema and Mr Price is driven to drink.
It looks as though Fenn Street will lose yet another teacher when Price applies for a job in industry. But can he really make the break?
Potter's repeated demands for an assistant are finally heeded, and Sidney Noakes arrives at Fenn Street.
The amalgamation with neighbouring Weaver Street and the possibility of Fenn Street going comprehensive is more than the Fenn Street staff can cope with. Potter has to decide where his loyalties lie.
For Miss Ewell, life is not exactly a bowl of cherries at the moment. There is the school inspection to be organised, and the new Weaver Street kids to keep under control.
Headmaster Cromwell makes a new rule about haircuts and skirts at Fenn Street School. But the kids won't take this lying down, they decide on a sit-in to ask for pupil representation on staff meetings.
Potter's boasting about his war career gets out of hand when he is chosen to carry the banner at his El Alamein reunion.
Cromwell's latest idea is a school song for the first meeting of his newly-formed Old Fennians Association. With the staff bursting into a flurry of musical activity, and the return of the old Form 5C for the big event, it is a day to remember.
The headmaster's "Clean Up Fenn Street" campaign is in full swing. But when Potter takes on some temporary assistance, an explosive situation develops which threatens to clean up Fenn Street for good.
Miss Ewell gets her "mountie", Miss Petting her mandarin and Daisy her "prince".
Fenn Street School makes sporting history when its football team reaches the semi-final of the district cup. But Miss Ewell has a match of her own with the star of the team, and if she wins, the school loses.
When Fenn Street School holds a charity walk for the local "old and needy", the staff are confident of its success. But deciding just who the "needy" are, can be a tricky business.
When the chairman of the Fenn Street School governors makes rash promises to his "niece", the whole school is affected. Cromwell gets a secretary, the kids get a pin-up, and Pricey gets a whole new outlook on life.
Headmaster Cromwell has a new toy to help him communicate with the whole school, but Price does not want to keep in touch, for an old enemy is out to get him.
Wedding bells ring out for Miss Ewell and Mr Sibley. Meanwhile, Potter's ding-dong with his wife Ruby ends in a fly-away flourish.
