Kids on the Edge: Last Chance School
An unprecedented number of children in the UK are being diagnosed and treated for a mental health disorder. This film follows three of these children at the Tavistock and Portman’s day unit, Gloucester House. This is a unique NHS-run primary and early secondary school for children with complex emotional, social and behavioural problems. The specialist team of teachers, mental health nurses, therapists and support workers works intensively with its 18 students, many of whom have been excluded from mainstream schools.
The film follows 11 year-old Josh in his last term at the school. Josh was adopted when he was 6 years old, but his traumatic early years have been worked with in his time at the school. After three years at Gloucester House, his parents and the staff at Gloucester House hope he is ready to move on to a mainstream secondary school. Luke is also preparing for life after three years at the Unit, whilst Danya-Leigh has just arrived at the school. Staff must act quickly to understand her needs, and to support her mum who is struggling to cope.
Watch the episode on All4 »
Watch the video Read the transcript Last chance school Century Films: Do you mind answering some questions? Josh: Yeah, sure. I’d say it was very...
When we were first approached by Century Films to consider doing a documentary at Gloucester House I was extremely sceptical. My gut reaction was...
“Are you here to be a teacher?” one of the kids asked me on my first day at Gloucester House, “. . . you won’t want to be one after today.” I left...