Educating Yorkshire is returning to Thornhill Academy with a major change for the new series

Educating Yorkshire is returning to television screens, with production for the next series scheduled to commence soon.

The beloved Yorkshire documentary is making a comeback next year, bringing with it a notable shift in approach for the forthcoming series. For the first time, filming crews will be present from day one of the new academic year, departing from the usual practice of arriving later during the autumn term.

This means audiences may witness an entirely fresh cohort of students as they navigate the intimidating transition from primary education into Year 7. The alteration was revealed by David Brindley, CEO of production company Twofour, during an interview with Radio Times at the 2026 Edinburgh TV Festival.

He confirmed that cameras will start rolling in September when students return following the summer break, reports Yorkshire Live.

“We start in September when the students come back to school. I don’t think we’ve actually done that before,” he stated. “We usually start in the second half term, but we’re in school right from the very start of term this time.”

He remarked: “We’re really excited to see what the new year holds, really following the new Year 7s because it’s such a moment as a new Year 7 to enter a big school.”

The production chief acknowledged the team remains uncertain about which narratives will unfold, emphasising the unpredictable character of the documentary series. “Hopefully we’ll get some amazing stories through those students, but the joy of Educating… is we don’t know what’s going to happen,” he said.

That observational methodology is something Brindley considers fundamental to the programme’s popularity. He continued: “We can’t pre-plan anything. It’s purely observational. I can’t tell you what’s going to be the standout moment.”

One recognisable figure will also be making a return to Thornhill Academy. Mr Burton, who has emerged as one of the programme’s most prominent personalities, will resume his role as headteacher when production commences.

Brindley commended the school leader, describing him as “fast becoming the nation’s favourite head teacher”. He continued: “So whatever happens over the next year at Thornhill, we’ll be there to capture it.”

The forthcoming series will maintain the programme’s established pattern of chronicling the triumphs and tribulations of educational life, encompassing academic demands and friendships alongside the obstacles encountered by staff and students alike.

Earlier editions of the Educating… franchise have transported audiences into educational establishments throughout Britain, featuring series filmed in Essex, Cardiff and Greater Manchester.

Nevertheless, Yorkshire audiences needn’t fret about Thornhill vanishing from the franchise imminently. Brindley confirmed the production crew remains committed to staying at the institution for the foreseeable period.

When questioned about the programme’s potential longevity, he indicated the team would gladly continue producing it provided viewer interest persists and commissioning continues. He maintains there remains considerable material to examine, especially as the realities facing young people and educators continue to evolve.

“There just isn’t another series out there that reflects what it’s like to live as a teenager and as a teacher in modern Britain,” Brindley said. “And so I think there are endlessly fascinating stories to be told, and it could constantly be reflecting a changing world… long may it continue.”

With production commencing at the beginning of the academic year, the forthcoming series pledges to offer audiences a glimpse into Thornhill Academy from the instant students arrive for another term. For the first time, this will encompass tracking the latest Year 7 intake as they embark upon their initial journey into secondary education.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Driven in part by his own experience with poverty as a child, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is pitching a financial literacy campaign to leaders of the world’s largest economies and suggesting an investment account program begun under President Donald Trump as a model for it.

As he hosted finance ministers from rich and developing nations in the G20, Bessent on Tuesday announced U.S. sponsorship for a competition called the “Financial Literacy Solutions Sprint.”

The competition is intended to discover and showcase “innovative technology- and data-enabled solutions” developed across the Group of 20 countries to strengthen financial literacy.

Four finalists will be pared to one or two winning teams and will be recognized during the annual meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund in October in Bangkok.

Bessent points to the creation of Trump Accounts, a program that provides $1,000 in investment accounts to babies born during Trump’s second term, as a model other nations should follow. Treasury says roughly 7 million children are enrolled and 86% of participants are from families earning less than $200,000 per year.

The secretary often talks about his humble beginnings in rural South Carolina, where he got his first jobs at age 9 as a busboy at a cafeteria and setting up chairs and umbrellas on the beach. His father, a real estate developer, had lost generations of Bessent family wealth by overleveraging his obligations.

One of Bessent’s first moves as Treasury secretary was to launch Financial Literacy Month to teach people the basics of building a workable budget, saving for the future and protecting themselves from scammers and fraudsters.

Critics of his efforts argue that the problem is less about people not knowing how to invest and more about them not having enough spare income to do so.

About 7 in 10 U.S. adults say the country’s economy is “poor,” according to July polling from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. The finding underscores Americans’ continued unhappiness with the cost of living, which is being compounded by high gas prices due to the war in Iran.

Angle RNLI said their crews spent 22 hours at sea over two days in major multi agency search for a teenager who went missing off the coast of Pembrokeshire.

A spokesperson for Angle RNLI said: “Over the last two days the crew at Angle RNLI have spent just over 22 hours afloat as part of a major multi agency search operation at Marloes Sands following reports of a missing 14 year old swimmer.

“At 3.34pm on Sunday the 30th of August Angle All-Weather Lifeboat was tasked to immediate launch following multiple 999 calls to the coastguard reporting three persons were in difficulty in the water at Marloes Sands and although that two had now self-recovered, a 14 year old boy was unaccounted for.

“The lifeboat launched shortly after and made best speed to Marloes.

“Once on scene the crew began conducting an immediate search of the area. With nothing found the crew extended their search further along the coast before stepping out and carrying out a reciprocal search. At this point, the crew were passed their first set of formal search instructions.

“Over the next eight hours the crew worked tirelessly completing multiple search patterns covering likely areas as requested by the coastguard.

“Also in attendance were St David’s and Tenby All-Weather Lifeboats, Coastguard Rescue Teams from Dale, Broad Haven, St David’s and Llansteffan, Coastguard Rescue Helicopter R924 and Coastguard Fixed Wing Aircraft R224, Dyfed Powys Police and their Marine Unit, 3x Milford Haven Port Authority pilot vessels and multiple other leisure and commercial vessels.

“After hours of searching all assets were stood down around midnight, and following a refuel in Milford Marina the crew were back alongside and ready for further service by 2am.

“Just six hours later, at 8:16am on Monday morning the crew were tasked again to continue the search efforts.

“Working alongside Little Haven Inshore Lifeboat, Coastguard Rescue Teams from Dale, Broad Haven, St David’s and Llansteffan, a Coastguard Drone Team, Dyfed Powys Police and their Marine Unit, a Milford Haven Port Authority pilot vessel, Milford Haven Harbour Patrol and multiple leisure and commercial vessels the area was once again thoroughly saturated.

“Having conducted thorough shoreline searches from St Ann’s Head up to Broad Haven North, including Skomer and Skokholm Islands, at 4.15pm the crew returned to the jetty for a crew change and quick welfare break before relaunching.

“By 5pm the lifeboat was back on scene and recommencing searches, this time working in conjunction with the Coastguard Drone Team to conduct a low water search of the shoreline around Marloes Sands and the surrounding area.

“At 7.30pm with nothing found and no new information to go on the search was formally suspended and the crew were stood down with thanks, and the lifeboat was back alongside her berth and ready for further service by 8pm.

“A huge thank you to our crew who have shown immense dedication over the past two days, and a thank you goes to Milford Haven Coastguard for their fantastic coordination and support in what has been a lengthy and tiring incident for our crew.

“Our thoughts are with the swimmers family and friends at this difficult time.”

A pod of killer whales launched a terrifying eight-minute attack on a sailboat off Spain, tearing away half its rudder and forcing the crew to check for leaks.

Dramatic new video shows the orcas circling the vessel before repeatedly slamming into its steering system beneath the water.

Between three and four whales targeted the boat as it returned from a sailing competition near San Vicente.

The crew initially feared the animals may have damaged the hull and allowed water to pour inside.

Crew member Gage Butler, originally from California, said his adrenaline surged as they inspected the vessel in the aftermath.

‘It was so cool to see how smart these animals are and how they play and hunt as a pod,’ he shared in an Instagram post.

‘But at the same time my adrenaline was pumping while we were investigating the boat to see if we had any leaks in the hull.’

Butler said everyone escaped unharmed and the boat suffered no major damage beyond losing approximately half its rudder.

Gage Butler, from California, captured the attack, with footage showing the whales swimming under the boat

Butler and the Seika Racing sailing crew had just completed a regatta and were moving the boat from San Vicente to another marina when the orcas appeared.

Video shared on Instagram shows the animals surfacing beside the vessel while crew members watch from above.

The whales repeatedly swam beneath the stern, where the rudder controls the boat’s direction.

Butler estimated the encounter lasted approximately eight minutes and involved three or four orcas.

Although the animals were powerful enough to break the rudder, Butler believed they may have been young whales treating the vessel like a toy.

‘These Orcas looked smaller than ones I’ve seen at SeaWorld, so I’m pretty sure they were juveniles just playing with the boat, which ended up breaking the rudder,’ he wrote in the Instagram post.

The sailor described the experience as both frightening and extraordinary.

‘Luckily everyone was safe, and there was no major damage to the boat. This was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.’

Butler said everyone escaped unharmed and the boat suffered no major damage beyond losing approximately half its rudder

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Orcas have repeatedly rammed sailboats passing through waters around the Iberian Peninsula since the unusual behavior was first recorded in 2020.

Most encounters have occurred near the Strait of Gibraltar, the narrow stretch of water separating southern Spain from northern Africa.

The animals commonly approach the stern before biting or striking the rudder, sometimes leaving vessels unable to steer.

Several boats have sunk after being badly damaged during encounters with the whales.

In 2024, a pod rammed and sank a 49-foot yacht in the Strait of Gibraltar, marking at least the fifth reported sinking connected to the behavior at that time.

Despite their name, killer whales rarely pose a direct threat to people in the wild.

No fatal attack by a wild orca on a human has ever been documented, and the whales involved in the Iberian incidents appear focused on boats rather than their occupants.

Scientists remain divided over why the behavior began and why it continues to spread between animals.

One widely reported theory centers on a female orca nicknamed White Gladis, which may previously have been injured in a collision or encounter with a boat.

Under that theory, the whale began targeting vessels following the traumatic experience before other members of the pod copied her actions.

However, researchers have not confirmed that the attacks are motivated by revenge.

Another explanation suggests the interactions are a form of play that developed into a temporary social trend among the highly intelligent animals.

Young orcas may have learned that rudders move, resist pressure and eventually break, encouraging them to return to other vessels.

A 2024 report suggested the behavior could eventually disappear in the same way that other short-lived habits have faded among whale populations.

However, its authors warned that the animals remain difficult to predict.

‘Ultimately, this behavior may disappear, as fads have in other populations, but it may also reappear at some point in the future,’ they wrote.

‘These are intelligent, socially complex, innovative wild animals and science cannot predict their behavior with certainty.’

Olivia Bromley, who played Dawn Fletcher for eight years, was killed off in a shocking car crash episode that aired in Tuesday night’s episode.

Her character, the stepdaughter of Kim Tate, played by Claire King, died following a series of traumatic events on her wedding day to Joe Tate.

Claire King says Emmerdale star’s exit was “heartbreaking”

King said: “It was heartbreaking.

“But we did have a good laugh that week because we were all outside this massive marquee where we were doing all the the wedding stuff and car crash, and it’s all supposed to be tragic but we were all actually having a good life.

“We had some really nice people on on set that day.

“Great crew, and it was just a bit of camaraderie.

“But I could see as the days went on to the final day she was getting more and more sort of angst and things.”

The episode saw Jimmy King’s vehicle crash into the wedding marquee, trapping the newlyweds.

Dawn was rushed to hospital where she went into premature labour and gave birth to a baby boy.

Despite the efforts of hospital staff, she did not survive.

King said the loss was particularly difficult because Bromley was part of her “inner circle” on set.

Olivia Bromley speaks out about Emmerdale exit

In an interview with Digital Spy, Olivia opened up about how emotional it was to film her final scenes as Dawn.

She added how it was the producers’ choice to do the storyline and said how she would have been “too scared” too close the door entirely on the character herself. 

However, Olivia was very happy with her character’s ending and said “it was absolutely perfect” to allow her to go onto other projects. 

Olivia had been in Emmerdale for eight years but now wants to try out a range of new roles including a period drama. 

Emmerdale continues to air weekdays on ITV1 at 8pm with the episodes also being uploaded to the Emmerdale YouTube channel.

Were you upset by Dawn’s death in Emmerdale? Let us know in the comments. 

Vogue Williams gives birth to fourth child with Spencer Matthews – first pics

Vogue Williams has welcomed her fourth child with husband Spencer Matthews, sharing the first photo of their baby boy.

The 40-year-old revealed her fourth pregnancy earlier this year, and also shares Theodore, Gigi and Otto with the Made In Chelsea star, 38.

Taking to Instagram earlier today, she confirmed their new arrival with fans, posting a beautiful string of photos from her hospital bed, including one of her brood meeting their little brother for the first time.

Alongside the upload, she wrote: “Our beautiful baby boy has arrived safely… The house is bursting with excitement, love and happiness and we couldn’t be more delighted.”

Right on cue, fans and famous faces rushed to congratulate the couple on their newborn, with Zoe Ball penning: “Congrats to you gorgeous folks.”

Emmerdale’s Lisa Riley said: “So much love to you and all the family from Me & Al. CONGRATULATIONS.”

Spencer’s Made in Chelsea castmate Rosie Fortescue wrote simply wrote: “Congratulations”, as a fan added: “Congratulations all. Fantastic to welcome a new beautiful soul into the world. Well done Vogue.”

Sunderland have completed the signing of Austria defender Kevin Danso from Tottenham on a loan deal until the end of the season.

The deal will cost the Black Cats £2.5m and will be made permanent next summer – for a fee of £22.5m – if Regis Le Bris’ side stay in the Premier League.

“I’m really happy to be here and I can’t wait to get started,” said Danso.

“Sunderland is a big club with huge ambition, and I’m excited to be part of what we’re building this season.”

The 27-year-old – who made 52 appearances for Spurs after signing from RC Lens in January 2025 – will bolster Sunderland‘s squad ahead of their first European campaign since 1973.

Danso’s exit from Spurs comes as Roberto de Zerbi’s side close in on a move for Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo.

The 2025 Europa League winners had a bid accepted for the former Fulham and Manchester City defender on Monday night.

Adarabioyo, 28, came through the ranks at the Etihad before joining the Cottagers on a permanent deal in 2020.

In 2024, the defender joined Chelsea following the expiry of his contract with Fulham.

Since moving to Stamford Bridge, Adarabioyo has made more than 70 appearances for the Blues across all competitions, winning the Conference League and Club World Cup.

Tottenham are also close to sealing a deal for Chelsea attacker Mykhailo Mudryk before Tuesday night’s deadline.

On Tuesday night’s episode of Emmerdale, viewers learned that Detective Thea Ramsden, played by Chelsea Edge, is the long-lost daughter of Kim Tate.

The revelation came during a flashback scene showing a younger Kim, portrayed by Claire King, in a hospital’s baby unit.

Shocking revelation on Emmerdale

A nurse asked Kim if she was sure about giving up her baby for adoption and whether she had chosen a name.

Kim replied that she had always liked the name “Anthea.”

The camera then cut to the present day, focusing on Ramsden’s police name badge, confirming her true identity.

Ms Edge said: “I have loved joining Emmerdale and keeping this secret.

“I hope that now it’s out in the open the viewers will follow the story and see how Thea’s determination and bitterness develops.

“It’s clear she’s very keen to understand why Kim, who seemingly has everything, status, wealth and power to give her away all those years ago.

“As to how far the apple falls from the tree… I guess we’ll have to wait and see, but there’s certainly a lot more drama to come.”

Kim Tate remains in the dark

Emmerdale producer Laura Shaw said that while viewers now know the truth, Kim remains in the dark.

Ms Shaw said: “While the viewers have been granted access to the mystery surrounding DS Ramsden’s true identity, it will be some time before Kim suspects that the child she surrendered is operating within her immediate circle.

“She is completely unaware that the daughter she left behind is actually right under her nose.”

The storyline adds a new layer to Kim’s character, who is currently trying to stop Joe Tate from giving up Baby Tate for adoption.

Ms Shaw said this plotline brings back painful memories for Kim.

Emmerdale airs at 8 pm weeknights on ITV1 and STV or from 7AM on ITVX and STV Player with the episodes also being uploaded to the official Emmerdale YouTube channel.

Are you shocked by this revelation or did you see it coming? Let us know in the comments. 

The policeman brother of the siblings caught on camera battling officers at Manchester Airport faces the sack for comparing a black female colleague’s braided hair to a mop.

PC Mohammed Abid is one of eight current or former officers based at Bury police station accused of mocking the policewoman’s appearance or how she spoke.

Today a disciplinary panel was told the 29-year-old should be sacked after it ruled that describing her hair as ‘looking like a mop’ had been a ‘racist comment’.

Fellow PCs could also face the sack for regularly ‘mimicking’ the colleague’s African accent, leaving her feeling ‘uncomfortable’.

In July 2024, there was widespread outrage when Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, then 19, was seen being kicked in the face by a police officer in mobile phone footage which went viral.

However, CCTV footage later revealed that he and another brother, Muhammad Amaad, had violently resisted efforts to arrest Amaaz for headbutting of a tourist at Manchester Airport.

After a case which sparked accusations of police racism and claims of two-tier justice, Amaaz was jailed for assaulting two female officers.

But two juries failed to reach verdicts on whether he or Amaad had assaulted a male colleague.

Muhammad Amaad, 26, (left) and his brother Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 21, (right) arriving for their trial at Liverpool Crown Court either side of their solicitor, Aamer Anwar

Lawyers for the men repeatedly highlighted how neither brother – both from Rochdale – had been in trouble with the police before, and six members of the family are current or former officers with Greater Manchester Police.

Both trials heard a glowing character reference from PC Abid, who praised Amaaz’s ‘respectful, gentle and soft-spoken nature’ and ‘dedication to academic roles’.

But jurors were not told that he faced disciplinary proceedings over the racism allegation.

A misconduct hearing heard last month how constables based at Bury police station imitated a female colleague’s accent.

The policewoman, originally from Africa, has been granted anonymity and is referred to as PC Y.

PC Abid was said to have spoken to PC Y – who at the time wore her hair in braids – and describing it as ‘looking like a mop’ before ‘smiling and walking away’.

Under cross-examination, PC Y told the hearing: ‘He did ask about the hair, the braids, how long it took.

‘He then said “It looks like a mop”, laughed and walked off.’

He denied making the comment but the panel today praised her ‘consistent’ account.

Chairman Jonathan Roy said the braided style was ‘culturally significant’ to PC Y as a black woman, finding that PC Abid had made the ‘racist comment’.

This was a breach of professional standards in relation to equality and diversity which amounted to gross misconduct, it ruled.

PC Abid was also found to have breached standards of professional behaviour in relation to authority, respect and courtesy, and discreditable conduct.

Separately, constables on PC Y’s team were accused of ‘mimicking’ her African accent for months until she made a formal complaint in November 2023.

They allegedly copied how she said words like ‘hello’ and impersonated her ‘deep laugh’, causing her to feel ‘uncomfortable’, ‘nervous’ and ‘anxious’.

Giving evidence, the constables insisted they had only copied how she said ‘ok’ and that this was part of a ‘shared joke’ in which they all made fun of one another’s accents.

But the panel rejected their denials, pointing out that officers who weren’t part of the same team had mentioned hearing them putting on African accents.

‘The panel did not accept the mimicking of PC Y’s accent was part of friendly office banter,’ Mr Roy said.

‘It was much more serious than that.’

Five serving officers, PCs Heena Rani, Lucy Granby, Demi Green, Matthew Barlow and Matthew Hill, as well as former PC Jake Holt and a former officer referred to only as A, were all found to have breached standards of professional behaviour in relation to authority, respect and courtesy, discreditable conduct, equality and diversity and failure to report or challenge.

In each case their behaviour amounted to gross misconduct.

A further officer, Sergeant Adrian Bick, who supervised the team, was cleared of breaching standards on equality and diversity

Out of PC Y’s earshot, he had pointed out a photograph of a black fraud suspect and said she could be her mother.

PC Green then repeated the comment to PC Y, the hearing was told.

The panel said the comment was ‘thoughtless and insensitive’ but accepted that Sergeant Bick hadn’t intended to make a racist comment.

It found that he had breached professional standards of authority, respect and courtesy and discreditable conduct and ruled his case amounted to misconduct.

Neither Sergeant Bick nor PC Abid was accused of mocking PC Y’s accent.

Turning to the action the nine will now face, Mr Reed argued that all the serving officers should be sacked, apart from Sergeant Bick, who should receive a written warning. 

He said PC Abid’s behaviour was ‘aggravated’ by his understanding of the ‘cultural significance’ of PC Y’s hairstyle.

While the comment was a ‘single incident’, there was ‘no acceptable level of racism’ in the police, ‘especially when it arises from such calculated behaviour,’ he added.

However PC Abid’s barrister, Peter Byrne, argued that while he had shown ‘poor judgement’ he hadn’t ‘targeted’ PC Y on the grounds of ethnicity.

Along with lawyers representing the serving officers found to have mimicked PC Y’s accent, he submitted that PC Abid should instead receive a final written warning.

The panel is due to reconvene to announce what action the officers and former officers will face on Wednesday. 

The EFL, in their infinite wisdom, have bizarrely decided it might be a good idea to play a load of games tonight.

Swansea face Watford tonight at the Swansea.com Stadium, and Vitor Matos will be hoping to continue wha’s been a really strong start to the seaon.

“The next game is always the most important game so it’s important we recover and prepare properly to show the same mentality and intensity,” he said.

“It will be a very competitive game, we know how the nature of the Championship is, especially at the beginning of the season.

“They have a new manager who has brought some new ideas, they are a team with a very clear style.

“But we are at home, we love being at home, so let’s use it as an advantage.

“We have started well, but it is early and nothing is decided, so what we have to continue to do is go game by game, and so all focus is now on Watford.”