1) Ron Cooper, the deputy headteacher, interrupts Michael's class and publicly berates a student named Higgins for smiling. 2) Michael suspects Cooper does this to undermine younger, more progressive teachers and reinforce his own reputation for fierceness among students. 3) Earlier in the year, Michael had lost his temper with Higgins and hit him after Higgins repeatedly disrupted class by announcing he could see seagulls on the football pitch. However, after apologizing to Higgins, their relationship improved and Higgins now greets Michael friendly.