The document discusses the themes and portrayal of students in the TV series "Educating Essex". It touches on heavy themes like bullying, foster care, teenage pregnancy, and gossip to look at real issues in British schools. It also relies on stereotypes of lower/middle class teenagers to make the show interesting, often portraying the students as not speaking properly, lacking manners, and less intellectual by focusing on state schools in less affluent areas rather than private schools.

1. REPRESENTATION IN
EDUCATING ESSEX
By Piers Montgomery

2. THEMES REPRESENTING STUDENTS
The series covers a wide range of heavy themes relating to students and life within
schools. They touch on issues such as these to make the show more interesting but
also give it an aim at looking into issues in Britain's schools
• Including a false accusation of assault case of bullying which moves on
to cyberbullying.
• Student being taken into foster care.
• Teenage Pregnancy.
• The power of gossip and rumours.
• New arrival at the school, who is special needs and has Asperger's.

3. RELYING ON STEREOTYPES
The show relies on stereotypes to make it interesting especially those of a low to
middle class and teenagers.
• They only use state education in places that are known to not be the most posh or
rich. For instance you wouldn't see an Educating Surrey or Educating Oxford. These
kids in the show:
- Don’t speak properly
- Not well mannered
- Presented as not extremely Intellectual