The WORST episodes of Waterloo Road

Every episode of Waterloo Road ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst episodes of Waterloo Road!

Affairs, scandals, blackmail and many, many headteachers. Who said education was easy?

Last Updated: 7/18/2026Network: BBC OneStatus: Continuing
Episode 1
star
6.22
18 votes

#1 - Episode 1

Season 11 - Episode 1 - Aired 1/3/2023

It’s a new term for William Beswick High, but with pupils rioting, head Kim Campbell is forced into drastic changes. A fugitive found hiding in the school gives everyone a shock.

Directors: Jesse Quinones
Writer: Liz Lake
Episode 2
star
6.25
12 votes

#2 - Episode 2

Season 11 - Episode 2 - Aired 1/10/2023

Waterloo Road is rocked by shocking news, whilst the Charles family struggle to deal with their loss. Meanwhile, Danny lands himself in the Behavioural Unit.

Directors: Jesse Quinones
Writer: Neil Jones
Kenzie Leaves Home
star
6.50
6 votes

#3 - Kenzie Leaves Home

Season 10 - Episode 16 - Aired 2/9/2015

Dale’s hopes of becoming a pro-cycler are left up in the air after the pressure of his mock exams take over. Abdul is surprised after a deeply-buried family secret is revealed. Kenzie finds her relationship with her mother falling apart.

Directors: Patrick Harkins
Episode 7
star
6.72
18 votes

#4 - Episode 7

Season 5 - Episode 7 - Aired 12/9/2009

Drama. Quiet Year 10 pupil Cassie Turner claims she is being bullied, and Kim fears the girl gangs are back in full force. However, the truth is something altogether different.

Episode 5
star
6.75
12 votes

#5 - Episode 5

Season 11 - Episode 5 - Aired 1/31/2023

As Neil bonds with refugee Norullah, the year nines are busy digging up the truth about his personal life. An inquest triggers an emotional breakdown and confession from Coral.

Directors: Amanda Mealing
Writer: Paul Mousley
End of The Road
star
6.79
14 votes

#6 - End of The Road

Season 9 - Episode 19 - Aired 3/5/2014

Christine makes a series of extremely bad decisions leaving her job and her future hanging in the balance. Kacey Barry makes a welcome return to the school but Gabriella is furious to find herself pushed out of the limelight.

Episode 10
star
6.84
51 votes

#7 - Episode 10

Season 4 - Episode 10 - Aired 3/11/2009

It's the last day of term at Waterloo road and there's revelations all round, for students and teachers alike. After a string of bad luck and upset the Kelly's find themselves in further turmoil when they're evicted from their house, and Denzil tarts a nervous day back at school and with the help of Rachel and Jasmine is diagnosed with possible having dyslexia. Chlo and Donte finally face up to the fact that they can't afford their new lifestyle and decide to ask Tom if they can move back in. Also, Ralph Mellor makes Marley an offer of £5000 with a catch he has to finish with Flick initially, he refuses point blank to accept Ralph's offer however, when he learns of his family's latest predicament he decides to follow through. It's the day of the big fight and Bolton having trouble concentrating and staying focussed so, Rob gives him some supplementary pills and tells Bolton, that's properly means more to him if h wins this fight. Although, things take a wrong turn when Davina discovers the pills and alerts Jasmine, and hen things take a turns for the worse at the match she lets the official know of the pills. Later, after talking to Rachel Rob's suspended pending further enquiry into his teaching and training methods. Philip is also having a hard day with he pending wedding of Melissa and Eddie dawning he can no longer keep her secret and reveals all to Rachel, not only is Melissa still married to his dad but she was never divorced from her first marriage. Hearing the news Rachel feels hurt and betrayed and confronts Melissa and gets her to reveal all of the details of the sordid affair to Eddie, upset at the revelation Melissa say's that she'll turn herself in but, Eddie has to make a choice over who he really wants her or Rachel.

Episode 3
star
6.85
13 votes

#8 - Episode 3

Season 11 - Episode 3 - Aired 1/18/2023

The Walters family deal with an unexpected crisis, pushing a stressed Preston to the brink, while Tonya and Izzy skip school.

Directors: Paulette Randall
Episode 1
star
6.85
13 votes

#9 - Episode 1

Season 3 - Episode 1 - Aired 10/11/2007

As a new term begins, Jack finds himself very depressed over the death of Izzie Redpath, and feels it may be his fault. Elsewhere, a series of new teachers join the school, including Eddie Lawson, the new deputy head.

Directors: Marc Jobst
A Shock for Havelock
star
6.86
7 votes

#10 - A Shock for Havelock

Season 10 - Episode 15 - Aired 2/2/2015

Waterloo Road struggles to live up to rival Havelock High when the PTA comes to visit. Leo’s attachment to his computer game raises serious concern over his state of mind and Sonya frets over her impending test results.

Directors: Patrick Harkins
Writer: Paul Farrell
Read My Lips
star
6.90
10 votes

#11 - Read My Lips

Season 8 - Episode 4 - Aired 9/13/2012

It's Imogen's birthday, At school, Imogen is horrified to discover that her fitness guru mum is helping with Tariq's rowing fundraiser. Jealousy rears its ugly head when Christine witnesses a closeness between Connor and Imogen. Worried that Connor might be confiding in Imogen about her drinking habit, Christine snaps at her son. But Connor retaliates - he'll make his mother's life a misery if she doesn't back off. Later, at Imogen's party in the school house, a tipsy Sally turns up uninvited. Sensing Imogen's shame, Connor asks Sally to leave. Feeling protected, Imogen reveals her hidden secret to Connor… Also this week, rival headmaster Gerard makes false claims against Michael, while Sian reaches out to Michael's estranged father Billy.

Directors: Daikin Marsh
Writer: Jake Riddell
Episode 4
star
6.92
13 votes

#12 - Episode 4

Season 11 - Episode 4 - Aired 1/24/2023

It’s Amy’s big day, but a surprise visitor from her past and Kelly Jo’s tumultuous behaviour threaten to ruin everything.

Directors: Paulette Randall
Writer: Kellie Smith
Episode 4
star
6.95
43 votes

#13 - Episode 4

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 3/30/2006

Izzie's ex-husband, Jimmy, causes chaos at the school when he demands access to their children, and Tom confronts Lorna about her apparent miscarriage. Meanwhile, the pupils set up a scam to gain more points in the new house system, but it isn't long before their scheming plot is uncovered. Jack wonders about the sudden improvement in the grades gained by Steph's French class.

Episode 2
star
6.97
75 votes

#14 - Episode 2

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 3/16/2006

The aftermath of the car crash affects the entire school. Lorna announces her pregnancy to her new husband, but he isn't so sure he wants a child. And things begin to heat up between Steph and Jack.

Episode 1
star
7.00
29 votes

#15 - Episode 1

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 3/9/2006

Headteacher of Waterloo Road Comprehensive, Jack Rimmer, hires Oxbridge graduate Andrew Treneman, hoping he can improve the school's failing status and bring them back from the bottom of the league tables. Meanwhile, colleagues Tom and Lorna tie the knot - but the groom ends up kissing someone who isn't his new wife.

Episode 6
star
7.00
5 votes

#16 - Episode 6

Season 12 - Episode 6 - Aired 6/20/2023

Desperate times force Nicky to consider the unthinkable. Meanwhile, Preston and Myles challenge each other – with devastating consequences.

Writer: Neil Jones
Testing Times
star
7.00
9 votes

#17 - Testing Times

Season 10 - Episode 5 - Aired 11/12/2014

Lenny crumbles under the pressure of looming exams. Allie is devastated to find out Vaughan’s secret and Sue tries in vain to keep her distance from Hector. Lenny is desperate to do well in his preliminary exams – but all night study sessions and excessive energy drinks throw his nerves into overdrive and give staff serious concern for his emotional wellbeing. Lisa’s attempts to lead him astray only serve to drive a wedge between them. Allie is determined to move forward in her relationship with Vaughan but is furious to find out that he has been keeping a big secret from her and forces him to make a big decision about his arrangement with his ex-wife. Sue has second thoughts about her fling with Hector but he’s not ready to let her go.

Mr Chalk’s Waterloo
star
7.00
13 votes

#18 - Mr Chalk’s Waterloo

Season 8 - Episode 15 - Aired 1/31/2013

Kevin is suspicious when he discovers that Chalky is not who is says he is, but what dark secret is he hiding? Sian's plan to keep the Barrys apart backfires, and Connor is forced to face up to his actions when he reveals that he started the fire that burnt Imogen.

New Beginnings
star
7.00
6 votes

#19 - New Beginnings

Season 8 - Episode 1 - Aired 8/23/2012

As the new Waterloo Road school opens in Scotland headteacher Michael Byrne has his work cut out dealing with a couple of runaway teens and a burgeoning rivalry with a local headmaster. On the run from a foster home, teenager Jade shares a squat with her controlling boyfriend Drew but dreams of a better life. She announces that she’s going to school at Waterloo Road and despite his fear the authorities will find out about them, Drew is persuaded to enroll too. Michael and Sian arrive at the new Waterloo Road. The local press reaction to the school has been largely positive, except one story reporting discontent from Gerard Findlay, headmaster of rival school Havelock High, who claims Waterloo Road are stealing his pupils. The school is buzzing as Jade and Drew arrive. Despite not being registered at Waterloo Road Drew uses his charisma to win Lorraine over – but it’s not long before Tom sees an angry side to the new boy. When Michael offers Jade, but not Drew, accommodation in the school house, Drew reacts angrily, forcing his girlfriend to reveal a secret which will have far-reaching consequences for the pair. In the staffroom, new teachers Christine Mulgrew and Audrey McFall introduce themselves to Waterloo Road’s familiar faces. Not everyone is enthusiastic about the new school and Tom bemoans Michael’s regime. But English teacher Christine doesn’t seem keen to be drawn into any staff discussions, keeping herself to herself. It’s only when Grantly suggests the teaching team go for a drink after school that Christine’s interest is spiked. Elsewhere, Tariq struggles to adjust to his new life as a paraplegic and Rhiannon starts a bullying campaign against Scout.

Episode 3
star
7.00
12 votes

#20 - Episode 3

Season 6 - Episode 3 - Aired 9/8/2010

A new sexual health initiative causes uproar among parents, pupils and staff. Ronan and his girlfriend Sarah argue over whether she should take the morning-after pill, Jess and Vicki fall out, and Lauren shifts her romantic attention to Josh. Elsewhere, Charlie confesses his affair to Karen and hopes she will give their marriage another chance. Drama, starring Ian Puleston Davies and Amanda Burton

Episode 6
star
7.00
16 votes

#21 - Episode 6

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 4/13/2006

An education inspector pays a visit to Waterloo Road, and brings bad news regarding the future of the school. Jack decides the time has come to finally let Steph go, but his task doesn't quite go to plan when she threatens a dire act of vengence, unless he rethinks his actions. Meanwhile, Tom and Izzie struggle to fight their feelings for each other and things come to a head when they find themselves alone.

Episode 13
star
7.03
38 votes

#22 - Episode 13

Season 6 - Episode 13 - Aired 2/16/2011

Nate and Josh's burgeoning romance hits a rough spot when Nate's homophobic dad finds out about their relationship, and Tom is forced to bear the brunt of his anger. Elsewhere, Hodge continues to hound Bex and Karen tries to discover what her oldest daughter is hiding. Cesca continues to blur the professional and personal boundaries between her and Jonah.

Directors: Fraser MacDonald
Episode 8
star
7.03
35 votes

#23 - Episode 8

Season 6 - Episode 8 - Aired 10/13/2010

Vicki cannot balance living in a hostel and visiting her sick father at hospital with her schoolwork, and resorts to blackmailing Chris to improve her grades. Grantly struggles to cope with his wife's illness but refuses to take her into care, and Janeece has doubts about her decision to give her baby to Ruby and John. Drama, starring Rebecca Ryan, William Ash and Philip Martin Brown

Episode 5
star
7.03
35 votes

#24 - Episode 5

Season 6 - Episode 5 - Aired 9/22/2010

Marcus interferes in Ronan's private life after catching him selling DVDs at school, but his well-meant efforts only complicate things further for the boy and his father. Tom is worried that Josh cannot defend himself when he sees Finn picking on him and urges him to take up self-defence lessons, while Ruby and Janeece call a truce. Drama, starring Wil Johnson and Ben-Ryan Davies

Episode 5
star
7.04
45 votes

#25 - Episode 5

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 4/6/2006

Lorna tries out a sexy new image in a bid to catch Tom's attention, while the Head of the English department, Grantly Budgen, suspects one of his students may be taking drugs and approaches Andrew for help. Chlo takes drastic action to convince everyone, including Donte, she was driving on the night of the crash, and Steph stages a break-in to get rid of the suspicious coursework and avoid losing her job, but doesn't do a very good job of it.