New English teacher, Helen Hopewell, is just twenty-two and is in her first year as a qualified teacher. She is the can do-ist of can do teachers – enthusiastic, shiny-eyed but pretty thick with it. Tom quickly realises that Helen’s got blinkers on when it comes to her classes’ reactions to her and takes her under his wing, to guide her on her way to becoming a successful teacher.

There’s no side to Helen, but her tendency to bluster in can lead her into difficulties – especially ones which require a delicate touch. Unfortunately, these account for almost all the kids’ personal problems. Helen’s slightly removed from our Waterloo Road cohort – not quite able to get her head round their lives or lifestyles. Pupils can sniff out a weak teacher a mile off and "Hopeless Hopewell", as she's quickly nicknamed, will soon find herself the victim of a hate campaign.