0 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:05,000 Girls are going back in time to experience 1950s grammar school education for themselves 1 00:00:06,000 --> 00:00:10,000 Kind of worried about giving up all my luxuries. I can't live without chocolate 2 00:00:11,000 --> 00:00:14,000 My iPod, I'm kind of really worried if the food's gonna be disgusting and I'll just starve to death 3 00:00:14,000 --> 00:00:18,000 the most challenging thing for me will probably be discipline because 4 00:00:19,000 --> 00:00:20,000 I don't like teachers 5 00:00:20,000 --> 00:00:27,000 Like most teenagers today these boys and girls all attend co-ed schools and get taught in mixed classes 6 00:00:28,000 --> 00:00:31,000 So, how will they fare when taught separately? 7 00:00:31,000 --> 00:00:35,000 In the 1950s I think girls would do better, even that tears me up to say it 8 00:00:35,000 --> 00:00:41,000 I think girls are more conscientious of their marks. Girls are really quite nasty and bitchy. Boys kind of like to 9 00:00:41,000 --> 00:00:46,000 test how far they can push the teachers. Girls are good at shopping and boys are good at map reading 10 00:00:47,000 --> 00:00:51,000 They'll study here at Charles Darwin Grammar School 11 00:00:51,000 --> 00:00:57,000 Kitted out to 1950s standards with an emphasis as the name suggests on the sciences 12 00:00:58,000 --> 00:01:00,000 The staff are all professional teachers 13 00:01:01,000 --> 00:01:07,000 Specially trained in the methods of the period. A far cry from the relaxed approach these kids are used to 14 00:01:19,000 --> 00:01:22,000 Please be upstanding for the headmaster 15 00:01:27,000 --> 00:01:32,000 Would you sit down, please? 16 00:01:35,000 --> 00:01:43,000 My name is S.R. Warr. I should like to draw your attention to our school motto 17 00:01:45,000 --> 00:01:47,000 Solum 18 00:01:47,000 --> 00:01:49,000 Supersunt fortissimi 19 00:01:51,000 --> 00:01:55,000 Only the fittest survive 20 00:01:58,000 --> 00:02:05,000 Competition, you will find, is the key word here at Charles Darwin 21 00:02:05,000 --> 00:02:13,000 There will be competition inside the classroom where you will be taught in single-sex forms 22 00:02:15,000 --> 00:02:25,000 You will be able to concentrate on the learning process without any distraction from pupils of the contrary gender 23 00:02:28,000 --> 00:02:32,000 Teaching girls and boys separately in the 1950s had its consequences 24 00:02:32,000 --> 00:02:35,000 Boys tended to excel in maths and the sciences 25 00:02:35,000 --> 00:02:39,000 Well that wasn't very good, was it, Johnson? We'll try that again 26 00:02:39,000 --> 00:02:42,000 Whilst girls did better in the arts and languages 27 00:02:45,000 --> 00:02:49,000 But across the board they achieved an equal level of academic success 28 00:02:51,000 --> 00:02:53,000 Today it's a different story 29 00:02:53,000 --> 00:02:59,000 This lot reflect the national trend in which girls now outperform boys by 10% 30 00:02:59,000 --> 00:03:06,000 So, will a month of single-sex classes help the boys to catch up? Or will the girls widen the gap? 31 00:03:06,000 --> 00:03:10,000 Parents and friends, please leave the hall now 32 00:03:11,000 --> 00:03:17,000 As they enter the harsh world of the 1950s, the boys and girls are immediately segregated 33 00:03:17,000 --> 00:03:23,000 Girls, would you please line up. Boys, stay where you are 34 00:03:23,000 --> 00:03:31,000 They will not only be taught separately, but also eat apart and sleep in different dormitories 35 00:03:32,000 --> 00:03:37,000 From now on, the school rules dictate they may not come within six inches of each other 36 00:03:40,000 --> 00:03:49,000 In Nightingale Dormitory, the girls are about to get their first taste of 1950s life at the hands of Matron 37 00:03:49,000 --> 00:03:53,000 What I want you to do is remove all of your jewellery 38 00:03:53,000 --> 00:04:00,000 After that, you will bring your towel upstairs and we shall remove that muck off your faces 39 00:04:00,000 --> 00:04:01,000 Thank you, Matron 40 00:04:01,000 --> 00:04:03,000 Trust you 41 00:04:03,000 --> 00:04:08,000 Right, when you get upstairs to Matron, tell her that she needs to get some surgical scissors to that and cut it off, please 42 00:04:08,000 --> 00:04:09,000 Thank you 43 00:04:09,000 --> 00:04:16,000 Now, the boys and girls are about to get their first taste of 1950s life at the hands of Matron 44 00:04:17,000 --> 00:04:22,000 Right, when you get upstairs to Matron, tell her that she needs to get some surgical scissors to that and cut it off, please 45 00:04:22,000 --> 00:04:23,000 Thank you 46 00:04:23,000 --> 00:04:27,000 In place of modern make-up remover, there's carbolic soap 47 00:04:30,000 --> 00:04:32,000 Matron, do you have anything to get rid of bloodshot eyes? 48 00:04:32,000 --> 00:04:34,000 Cut along, please 49 00:04:34,000 --> 00:04:35,000 Is it life and death to have long nails? 50 00:04:35,000 --> 00:04:37,000 Yes, they're my nails 51 00:04:37,000 --> 00:04:38,000 Well, they're coming off 52 00:04:38,000 --> 00:04:42,000 Fingernails and face, thank you 53 00:04:42,000 --> 00:04:47,000 Nothing gets past the beady eye of housemistress Annabel Bryant 54 00:04:47,000 --> 00:04:49,000 Fingernails and face, thank you 55 00:04:49,000 --> 00:04:52,000 Especially not Ashley Walter's eye make-up 56 00:04:52,000 --> 00:04:54,000 Close your eyes, please 57 00:04:54,000 --> 00:04:57,000 Go and get rid of some of that mascara, thank you 58 00:04:58,000 --> 00:05:00,000 It's not the mascara, is it? 59 00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:01,000 It's not the mascara, is it? 60 00:05:01,000 --> 00:05:03,000 It's not, it's my eyelashes 61 00:05:03,000 --> 00:05:05,000 Am I going to pick them out? 62 00:05:05,000 --> 00:05:06,000 We'll see 63 00:05:06,000 --> 00:05:07,000 Okay 64 00:05:07,000 --> 00:05:09,000 I would do it if I were you 65 00:05:09,000 --> 00:05:10,000 Okay 66 00:05:12,000 --> 00:05:18,000 The boys are in the charge of housemaster James Williams, who's a stickler for neatness 67 00:05:18,000 --> 00:05:20,000 Some of you are scruffy beyond belief 68 00:05:20,000 --> 00:05:24,000 We do not accept scruffiness at Charles Darwin Grammar 69 00:05:24,000 --> 00:05:26,000 This bunch are for the chop 70 00:05:26,000 --> 00:05:27,000 Oh 71 00:05:27,000 --> 00:05:30,000 They'll get a regulation short back and sides 72 00:05:30,000 --> 00:05:34,000 At the moment, you are nothing more than boys 73 00:05:34,000 --> 00:05:38,000 Part of our job at Charles Darwin is to turn you into young men 74 00:05:38,000 --> 00:05:41,000 All right, that's better, at least we can see what you look like now, Jefford 75 00:05:42,000 --> 00:05:46,000 Idle fop Brennan Gunston has more to lose than most 76 00:05:46,000 --> 00:05:48,000 Name boy 77 00:05:48,000 --> 00:05:50,000 Gunston 78 00:05:50,000 --> 00:05:52,000 I'm sorry 79 00:05:52,000 --> 00:05:54,000 You what? 80 00:05:54,000 --> 00:05:56,000 I see we have a problem with speech 81 00:05:56,000 --> 00:05:59,000 I shall instruct you and you shall follow 82 00:05:59,000 --> 00:06:05,000 I ask what your name is, you tell me your surname, followed by sir, and that is all 83 00:06:05,000 --> 00:06:06,000 Gunston 84 00:06:06,000 --> 00:06:07,000 Name boy 85 00:06:07,000 --> 00:06:10,000 Gunston, sir, that is all 86 00:06:11,000 --> 00:06:13,000 Yay! 87 00:06:14,000 --> 00:06:19,000 A common problem amongst today's teenage boys is lack of motivation 88 00:06:19,000 --> 00:06:22,000 Gunston is no exception 89 00:06:22,000 --> 00:06:27,000 Hi, my name is Brennan Gunston and I'm really laid back 90 00:06:27,000 --> 00:06:35,000 You need to know that I'm lazy and that I'm not going to do much work 91 00:06:35,000 --> 00:06:40,000 I think I might be a C student or I should be an A student, which isn't too good 92 00:06:40,000 --> 00:06:43,000 I don't think he really knows what's coming 93 00:06:43,000 --> 00:06:46,000 I don't think he understands how much work he will have to do 94 00:06:46,000 --> 00:06:50,000 My granny's told me that there's no way that I'll be able to cope with it 95 00:06:50,000 --> 00:06:57,000 But I reckon no way is 1950s schooling going to be any worse than what we've got at the moment 96 00:06:57,000 --> 00:07:01,000 I think we'll make sure that this is a really short haircut 97 00:07:01,000 --> 00:07:02,000 Thank you 98 00:07:10,000 --> 00:07:12,000 He looks like a different kid 99 00:07:12,000 --> 00:07:15,000 No, I think that's fine, a little less weight on the head 100 00:07:15,000 --> 00:07:18,000 Perhaps your brain will be a little bit more efficient 101 00:07:18,000 --> 00:07:20,000 Back to your seats 102 00:07:25,000 --> 00:07:30,000 Please change into your uniforms and change quickly 103 00:07:30,000 --> 00:07:35,000 1950s education moulded children to fit into society 104 00:07:35,000 --> 00:07:38,000 How cool is this? 105 00:07:39,000 --> 00:07:43,000 There was no room for individuality and school uniforms were compulsory 106 00:07:43,000 --> 00:07:46,000 Can you fasten your top button up? Can you do your tie properly? 107 00:07:46,000 --> 00:07:49,000 Can this one do up because it's too tight? Look, I'm not being strangled 108 00:07:49,000 --> 00:07:51,000 Not at the moment you're not going to be strangled 109 00:07:51,000 --> 00:07:53,000 But if you carry on the way you are doing, I may well do so 110 00:07:53,000 --> 00:07:55,000 And you lose your attitude 111 00:07:55,000 --> 00:07:57,000 It's fucking horrible 112 00:07:57,000 --> 00:07:58,000 Did you swear? 113 00:07:58,000 --> 00:07:59,000 I didn't swear 114 00:07:59,000 --> 00:08:00,000 It's disgusting 115 00:08:00,000 --> 00:08:02,000 Look at me, I look like... 116 00:08:02,000 --> 00:08:06,000 Ah, the hat looks like a chimney sweep 117 00:08:07,000 --> 00:08:12,000 We've been given this, which if you look at it, it's like a pumpkin 118 00:08:12,000 --> 00:08:14,000 You look like a right tramp 119 00:08:14,000 --> 00:08:18,000 And I've been given Jesus sandals, look at these 120 00:08:21,000 --> 00:08:24,000 I look a failure 121 00:08:26,000 --> 00:08:28,000 Oh, sex pouch 122 00:08:28,000 --> 00:08:32,000 Stripped of their 21st century bling, make-up and fashion 123 00:08:32,000 --> 00:08:36,000 It's time for the girls and boys to come face-to-face at the school photo 124 00:08:36,000 --> 00:08:39,000 Not forgetting the all-important six-inch rule 125 00:08:39,000 --> 00:08:43,000 No closer than the edge of that chair, do you understand? 126 00:08:43,000 --> 00:08:45,000 I'm sorry 127 00:08:45,000 --> 00:08:46,000 Yes 128 00:08:46,000 --> 00:08:48,000 Yes, sir 129 00:08:48,000 --> 00:08:50,000 Well done 130 00:08:50,000 --> 00:08:52,000 Thank you 131 00:08:52,000 --> 00:08:54,000 You mind, lad 132 00:08:54,000 --> 00:08:57,000 I'd better watch yourself 133 00:08:57,000 --> 00:08:59,000 Everybody, when we're ready 134 00:09:00,000 --> 00:09:03,000 One, two, three, cheese 135 00:09:04,000 --> 00:09:07,000 It's really weird, the fact that girls and boys are separated 136 00:09:07,000 --> 00:09:11,000 We are completely cut off with the six-inch rule 137 00:09:11,000 --> 00:09:14,000 If you touch them, it's like, oh, my God, cooties, or something like that 138 00:09:14,000 --> 00:09:18,000 Which is really funny, cos in the 21st century, you're used to going around hugging them as friends 139 00:09:18,000 --> 00:09:23,000 It's crazy, because you're treating the game as if, you know, it's something really different 140 00:09:23,000 --> 00:09:25,000 And we've only been separated for a day 141 00:09:25,000 --> 00:09:26,000 Still to come 142 00:09:26,000 --> 00:09:28,000 Wake up, you numbskulls! 143 00:09:30,000 --> 00:09:34,000 Just six hours into term, and the boys and girls of Charles Darwin Grammar 144 00:09:34,000 --> 00:09:37,000 Are being thrown straight in at the deep end 145 00:09:37,000 --> 00:09:39,000 Caps off into your right-hand pockets 146 00:09:39,000 --> 00:09:43,000 In four weeks' time, they will sit 1950s O-levels 147 00:09:43,000 --> 00:09:47,000 But first, the teachers need to assess how far the pupils have to go 148 00:09:47,000 --> 00:09:50,000 To reach the required standard 149 00:09:50,000 --> 00:09:53,000 Right, you may now sit down in your chairs 150 00:09:53,000 --> 00:09:55,000 You're taking three examination papers 151 00:09:55,000 --> 00:09:58,000 Biology, Chemistry and Physics 152 00:09:58,000 --> 00:10:00,000 Half-hour papers 153 00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:03,000 Usual examination conditions will apply 154 00:10:03,000 --> 00:10:07,000 Today, most teenagers sit a combined science GCSE 155 00:10:07,000 --> 00:10:13,000 But in the 1950s, grammar school pupils sat separate exams in the three sciences 156 00:10:13,000 --> 00:10:17,000 Biology examination, turn over your papers, you may begin now 157 00:10:18,000 --> 00:10:23,000 The teachers have selected easy O-level questions 158 00:10:23,000 --> 00:10:27,000 In Biology, for example, the children must write an essay 159 00:10:27,000 --> 00:10:31,000 Describing how the human body digests proteins, carbohydrates and fats 160 00:10:31,000 --> 00:10:38,000 Write clearly and legibly, using full sentences and using good English language 161 00:10:38,000 --> 00:10:43,000 In Britain, the 1950s was an age of scientific excellence 162 00:10:43,000 --> 00:10:46,000 So these kids have much to live up to 163 00:10:48,000 --> 00:10:53,000 Back then, science was still seen as glamorous and exciting 164 00:10:53,000 --> 00:10:57,000 It was an era when British scientists built the first nuclear power station 165 00:10:57,000 --> 00:11:02,000 Unlocked the secrets of DNA and won eight Nobel Prizes 166 00:11:02,000 --> 00:11:05,000 Today, science is in crisis 167 00:11:05,000 --> 00:11:09,000 Only half the number of students now go on to study the sciences at A-level 168 00:11:09,000 --> 00:11:12,000 And university departments are closing 169 00:11:12,000 --> 00:11:16,000 Science, it seems, is no longer sexy 170 00:11:18,000 --> 00:11:23,000 Our kids have been predicted top grades in their science GCSEs 171 00:11:23,000 --> 00:11:27,000 So will this bunch of high flyers glide through their O-levels? 172 00:11:27,000 --> 00:11:30,000 Or crash and burn? 173 00:11:32,000 --> 00:11:36,000 Excuse me, sir, what does it mean by the fates of... 174 00:11:39,000 --> 00:11:43,000 I can't answer any questions whatsoever, you do your best, OK? 175 00:11:43,000 --> 00:11:46,000 Sorry about that, it's an examination 176 00:11:46,000 --> 00:11:49,000 You will stop writing now 177 00:11:49,000 --> 00:11:52,000 The kids will get their results tomorrow 178 00:11:52,000 --> 00:11:55,000 But for now, there are matters more pressing 179 00:11:55,000 --> 00:11:58,000 With a routine dorm inspection imminent 180 00:11:59,000 --> 00:12:06,000 Under the school rules, 21st century luxuries like deodorant, make-up and chocolate are all banned 181 00:12:06,000 --> 00:12:10,000 In my teddy bear, I have, in a way, if Matron's not in here 182 00:12:10,000 --> 00:12:14,000 I have deodorant, razors, moisturiser 183 00:12:16,000 --> 00:12:19,000 I put a slit in the side of Eve's sanitary towel 184 00:12:19,000 --> 00:12:21,000 And then I took out the padding 185 00:12:21,000 --> 00:12:24,000 And then I got some galaxy and melted it down 186 00:12:24,000 --> 00:12:26,000 And made it into strips and put it in cling film 187 00:12:26,000 --> 00:12:28,000 And put it inside the sanitary towel 188 00:12:28,000 --> 00:12:32,000 Unluckily for the boys, the housemaster is on the prowl 189 00:12:32,000 --> 00:12:36,000 There's a telltale bar of chocolate under Philip Donald's bed 190 00:12:39,000 --> 00:12:41,000 Donald 191 00:12:42,000 --> 00:12:45,000 Pick it up 192 00:12:45,000 --> 00:12:48,000 You're an idiot 193 00:12:57,000 --> 00:12:59,000 Who knew we had chocolate? 194 00:12:59,000 --> 00:13:01,000 Who planted chocolate on me? 195 00:13:01,000 --> 00:13:03,000 Place them on there 196 00:13:04,000 --> 00:13:08,000 Pint-sized Donald needs his food more than most 197 00:13:08,000 --> 00:13:10,000 Hi, I'm Phil Donald 198 00:13:10,000 --> 00:13:12,000 I'm small, but proud 199 00:13:12,000 --> 00:13:14,000 I've got a growth hormone deficiency 200 00:13:14,000 --> 00:13:16,000 So now I just have to inject myself once a day 201 00:13:16,000 --> 00:13:19,000 And I've already grown four inches in, like, ten months, so 202 00:13:19,000 --> 00:13:24,000 Philip's going to have quite a hard time, I think, with the food at this school 203 00:13:24,000 --> 00:13:27,000 Because he's a very fussy eater 204 00:13:27,000 --> 00:13:31,000 I might have to stash some sweets in something 205 00:13:31,000 --> 00:13:34,000 Hopefully he won't get caught, but knowing Philip, he probably will 206 00:13:35,000 --> 00:13:38,000 In my inside pocket, I have a book 207 00:13:38,000 --> 00:13:45,000 In this book, I keep the names of any of the pupils of this school 208 00:13:45,000 --> 00:13:48,000 Who deserve detention 209 00:13:48,000 --> 00:13:51,000 Yours will be the first name in the book