School Of Pop

Overview

Plot Summary

Ditchwater Academy (yes, it really is quite dull) has just lost its Year 6 teacher! After decades in the job, the frumpy Miss Spiggot has decided to retire before the start of the summer term! Headteacher, Mrs Boots, announces to the assembled staff and children that a new teacher will take over after the Easter holidays. Ex-pop star, Barry Garlow, of the famous hit-makers Get This, has had a change of career and will be joining the Ditchwater staff in a fortnight! Throughout the school, expectations are high and speculations are rife! (Song – Mr Garlow)

Before his arrival, we are given a retrospective peek at the interviews during which Mr Garlow was appointed. The governors and headteacher are faced with a number of comical, but unsuitable candidates for the post of new Year 6 teacher, (Song – Hey Guv’nor) but it is Mr Garlow who is successful, impressing the panel with his pop-tastic personality!

The day arrives for Year 6 to meet their new teacher. Straightaway, Mr Garlow inspires and encourages them to share their hopes and career aspirations. (Song – What You Gonna Be?)  All excitedly sing about their dream jobs, except for Alex who ‘hates singing’ and refuses to join in. Nevertheless, Mr Garlow is a hit with the children and settles in well.

Whilst on their residential trip, the class are feeling a little homesick and talk turns to the looming spectre of ‘big school’. The pending changes to their young lives unsettle the children, but Mr Garlow keeps their spirits up with an alfresco sing-song about the friendships they have made at primary school. (Song – Remember) Even Alex joins in, revealing a beautiful singing voice and immediately discovers a new-found love of music! Back at Ditchwater, the staff discuss the positive effect the new teacher is having on the whole school. His quirky influence has even extended to the lunchtime menu! Resident cook, Marge, excitedly introduces everyone to the delights of Mr Garlow’s favourite dish…Hawaiian pizza! (Song – Pizza Song)

However, things don’t stay rosy for long. At parents’ evening, as well as having to deal with a stream of eager mums wanting his autograph, Mr Garlow is accosted by Sam’s father who is unhappy with the new teacher’s unorthodox approach and the effect it is having on his child. He threatens to have Mr Garlow dismissed, leaving him despondent and full of self-doubt about his position at Ditchwater. He sings of his woes, joined (in his imagination) by his former Get This bandmates who mock his new career choice. (Song – I Used To Be A Pop Star)

We learn that Mr Garlow has resigned his position as Year 6 teacher, much to the sadness of his colleagues. However, during their coffee break, Mrs Boots announces that she has been inundated with requests from prospective parents for places in Mr Garlow’s class! This is a result of the school trending on social media with news of the ex-pop star’s success in the classroom. The headteacher decides to call Mr Garlow, begging him to come back…for good! 

For the last week of term, during Mr Garlow’s absence, Miss Spiggot has taken up her old post, much to the boredom of Year 6! However, before she can undo his good work, Mr Garlow makes a spectacular return, saving the children from a dull morning’s grind with an upbeat music lesson about classical composers! (Song – Funky Classics) He also brings news that, to make amends for his untimely resignation, he has organised for Get This to reunite for a special appearance at tomorrow’s leavers’ barbecue! Not only that, but The One Show, with host Roland Kamp, will be there to film the event! Time for Mrs Boots to get her hair done!

With all assembled for the last get-together of the school year, things hang in the balance as we learn that Get This and Roland Kamp are stuck in traffic! With the cameras ready to roll, the talented children save the day with the performance of a self-penned song about their love for the school to which they are about to bid farewell. (Song – Friends Forever) As tears fall and goodbyes are said, the evening’s special guests make a late but welcome entrance! With a stomping rendition of their greatest hit, Get This and Barry Garlow (with a supporting band of the whole community) bring proceedings to a spectacular finale! (Song – We Are On Fire)