The ninth series of the British television drama series Waterloo Road began airing on 5 September 2013 on BBC One and ended on 12 March 2014. The series follows the lives of the staff and pupils of the eponymous school, a troubled Scottish comprehensive school.[1] It consists of twenty episodes. This series also marks the departure of Grantly Budgen (Philip Martin Brown), the last of the original cast members.
Audrey is concerned when former Havelock High pupils Lenny and Lisa Brown enrol at Waterloo Road, and when Christine dismisses her worries she attempts to take matters into her own hands. Nikki tries to help Kacey, who is struggling to deal with Tom's death. Sue Spark joins the school as a Science teacher, and Simon harbours a secret.[3]
Note: First appearance of Lenny & Lisa Brown, Darren Hughes, Sue Spark, Shaznay Montrose, and Archie Wong.
The day from hell for new science teacher, Sue Spark, leads to a shady alliance with a student. George introduces the school to his new Mandarin teaching assistant, and wife, Princess Windsor, who is immediately popular with some of his class. Elsewhere, the pupils are angry about the closure of the Breakfast Club and the cancellation of school trips due to the many budget cuts.[4]
Princess is increasingly irritated by George, which leads to temptation with one of his pupils. There's a battle of the sexes as Simon's Apprentice competition takes over the school, Kevin has itchy feet and Audrey thinks she's made a new friend. As the council decides to roll out his Mandarin programme throughout the local area, Princess is worried about George's poor Mandarin skills and increasingly angered by his assumption that she'll save him from being exposed.
Rhiannon sends saucy pictures of herself to Darren and they end up being sent to mobile phones around the school. George finds out Princess is leaving him. And Audrey discovers Lisa and Lenny are trying to scam money out of her.
Lisa and Lenny Brown's grandfather turns up out of the blue and risks splitting them up. Elsewhere, Christine is furious when she finds out George's secret about his Mandarin abilities, and, ends up having another fight with Connor when he realises that he is good at cooking.
Grantly returns to teaching but only gets as far as the school gates before admitting to Maggie he is having second thoughts. Christine eases him back in by asking him to help out with the national school poetry competition, but things soon fall apart when his temper gets the better of him and he accuses Harley of plagiarism. The day of Kacey's first big fight arrives and she is already dreaming of Commonwealth Games glory. Barry, however, has a different idea up his sleeve as he starts taking bets against his sister winning. Sue is struggling to cope with her classes and turns to tranquillisers. After this he realises the mistake he's made and routes for the poem. He gives it to Harley to read on stage, but, while Harley reads it Grantly dies.
Note: Final appearance of Grantly Budgen; the final original cast member.
When her estranged daughter turns up, Nikki faces a tough decision. Christine and Simon's relationship is strained further when the school's sponsored clean goes awry. Meanwhile Carol Barry is not happy about Kacey's Application to boxing school.
The staff and pupils get all dressed up when Living History Week hits Waterloo Road. Christine is looking to impress visitor Robert Bain from the Department of Education, but Simon is on a mission to prove what a bad head teacher she is. And when Darren and Barry go foraging for mushrooms in the woods, resulting in the paramedics being called. Sue learns a secret that threatens to expose George's Mandarin failings, criticising her leadership doesn't prove difficult, while Kevin tries to woo Dynasty back into his arms.
Boxing hopeful Kacey's confidence begins to waver as the school and her family get stuck into raising funds for her sports scholarship – especially when Nikki arranges a visit from Olympic champion Nicola Adams. However, jealous Barry is soon hatching his own plans for the money they have raised. New supply teacher Frankie McGregor's heavy-handed approach divides Christine and Simon, and as the twins grow apart, he proves an unlikely companion for the lonely Lenny.
The day of the interviews for the headship arrives, although Christine worries the odds are stacked against her as Simon clearly has Bain's support and Imogen's mother is also on the panel. However, Simon is also feeling extra pressure from his father-in-law, just as he is getting cold feet about marrying Sue. When he is asked to sort things out for a bullied pupil, he clashes with Christine over how best to deal with the problem. Meanwhile, Nikki is shocked to discover someone has stolen Kacey's boxing fund, jeopardising her hopes of training in the USA – and when the identity of the thief comes to light, the news threatens to split the Barry family for good.
Note: First appearance of Vix Spark. Kacey Barry leaves series. Final regular appearance of Barry Barry.
When blonde bombshell Gabriella Wark explodes on the scene, she immediately causes problems for staff and pupils. With her sights firmly set on hot new PE teacher Hector, this is one girl who won't blend into the school furniture. Meanwhile, newlywed Simon's brand new Resilience Education scheme kicks off the new term with a bang and a disagreement with Christine. you also learn that Nikki Boston is seeing Vix Spark, Sue's sister, and new PE teacher, Mr Reid has his eyes set firmly on Nikki.
Note: First appearance of Hector Reid and Gabriella Wark. Sue Spark is known as Sue Lowsley.
Carol Barry is flat broke. Desperate to pay for Dynasty to go on the school trip, she takes a job in the school kitchen and soon starts to enjoy some 'added extras'. With the bailiffs still on her back, Carol needs a second job. She reluctantly returns to her old bar job, but it's not long until her sleazy boss is up to his old tricks. When a familiar face comes to her rescue, Carol wonders if romance – and the answer to her monetary problems – may lie a little closer to home. Meanwhile, with Maggie's support and Imogen's blessing, Connor is beaming from his job offer in London. All he has to do is convince a devastated Christine to let him go. Elsewhere, Vix presents Nikki with some beautiful handmade jewellery, but Nikki is left confused. On one hand, it's all going so fast, but on the other she was hoping for something a little bit smaller and… ring-shaped.
When Dynasty embarrasses her in front of hunky Hector, Gabriella declares war and begins to sabotage Dynasty's friendships and schoolwork. Imogen and Rhiannon join Gabriella for a night out, but it doesn't take long for them to find themselves in trouble. Later, a knight in tarnished armour makes a shock return and quickly captures Gabriella's wandering eye...
Note: Barry Barry returns. Final regular appearance of Connor Mulgrew.
Simon and Hector's Resilience Programme is in full swing. This week, the students learn the importance of vigilance, or 'no guts, no glory' as George describes it. With George's words echoing in his head and no Lisa to rein him in, Lenny lets his imagination run wild and is certain the local shop is just a cover for some criminal activity. He enlists Darren to hold a stake-out, but their meddling causes widespread panic, highlighting the dangers of prejudice and wannabe heroism.Elsewhere, Barry is back and this time he won't leave so easily. All he wants is to come home and he's prepared to play dirty to get there.
There's a buzz in the air as the day of Simon's Resilience Camp finally arrives. As students and staff split up to find their way to base camp, Hector uses the cover of the woods for his own agenda. Unaccustomed to being rejected by women, Hector seizes the chance for some time alone with Nikki and pulls out all the stops to impress her – despite her recent engagement to Vix.
Kevin is a bag of nerves as his university bursary interview looms, despite the legendary Chalky arriving to lend his support. Kevin's anxiety gets the better of him and he and Dynasty bicker over their very different ideas about the future. Before they can reconcile, Kevin suddenly collapses and is rushed to hospital, sending shockwaves rippling through the school. Meanwhile, full of regret, Nikki frantically tries to cover up her one night stand with Hector, but when a vindictive Gabriella finds out, she sets out to destroy Nikki's relationship with Vix. Elsewhere, Lula is overjoyed to be offered a university placement, but her excitement is short-lived when her family is threatened with deportation.
George is left holding the fort while Christine has a day off, but his opportunity to skive is soon thwarted by news that Lula's mother has been taken away by the Immigration Office. When her pleas for help fall on deaf ears, Lula turns to Audrey, who rallies the school to protect her. While George is off enjoying a charity lunch, the immigration officers arrive for Lula, but Audrey and the students are prepared. Soon a mass rooftop protest is under way, much to Simon's Horror. Meanwhile, Barry takes Gabriella to a fancy restaurant to announce his plans for their future together, but his dreams are short-lived when Gabriella is less than receptive.
Dynasty sets off for a police interview, but her hopes are dashed when her family's criminal background is revealed. She is soon distracted by Barry's cagey behaviour and is shocked to uncover the truth behind his new job. To prove she is not cut from the same cloth, Dynasty is forced to make a weighty decision that will change the Barrys' lives once and for all. Meanwhile, Darren is in serious trouble when he is discovered with indecent images on his phone yet again. Determined to get to the root of Darren's behaviour, Christine makes an unannounced visit to his home, but is left appalled and shaken by what she finds.
Christine wakes up with a horrific hangover. In a massive error of judgement, she gets into her car while still under the influence and drives to school. From that moment on, Christine's day descends from bad to worse until she must make a terrible choice on her future at Waterloo Road: Resign or face the music. Meanwhile, Kacey Barry returns from the US to a hero's welcome, but a jealous Gabriella is fuming that all attention is no longer on her. Determined to get even, Gabriella unleashes her vindictive side, but it's Kevin who bears the brunt of her anger.
Note: Final appearance of Lula Tsibi and Archie Wong. Kacey Barry returns.
A sober Christine deals with the repercussions of her drink-driving offence. Kacey is selected for the Commonwealth Games but Gabriella soon puts an end to her happiness. Nikki's future at Waterloo Road is suddenly thrown into uncertainty. Connor returns to support a vulnerable Christine amid the fallout of her drink-driving incident. Though she vows to make amends, both the school and the Education Board are divided on her future at Waterloo Road, and Simon is made Acting Head by Robert Bain. Kacey and Gabriella's feud escalates and turns nasty as Gabriella causes an accident that leaves Kacey's boxing dreams in tatters. Nikki's career is called into question when a student makes an accusation against her. Vix reaches out to her in support, but will there be time for them to reconcile before Vix leaves for good?
Note: Final appearance of Nikki Boston, Connor Mulgrew, Imogen Mulgrew, Robert Bain and Vix Spark. Gabriella Wark leaves series.
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