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. Elsewhere, Tariq struggles to adjust to his new life as a paraplegic and Rhiannon starts a bullying campaign against Scout.

New Beginnings

Laurie Brett

Jason Done

Kane Tomlinson-Weaver

Shane O'Meara

Paul Murphy

Scott Bates

Spirit Child

Season 7

Troublemaker Lula’s home life spills into school as Tom attempts to uncover the root of her disruptive behaviour, and a desperate Connor tries to out Christine’s drinking. Josh helps Tariq face up to his disabilities, and Grantly deals with a spate of graffiti at the school house.

Tariq is struggling to accept his disability, which gives cause for concern. Also, rival headmaster, Gerard Findlay is determined to discredit Michael by posting an old article about Michael's past all over the school, but is caught by Grantly.

Troubled Waters

At school, Imogen is horrified to discover that her fitness guru mum is helping with Tariq's rowing fundraiser. Rival headmaster Gerard makes false claims against Michael, while Sian reaches out to Michael's estranged father Billy.

Read My Lips

Havelock's star pupil, Liberty, has sold a damning report about Gerard to the press and comes to Waterloo Road seeking help from Audrey. Elsewhere, Janeece leans on Chalky when Cheryl gets chicken pox, and Connor thinks Christine is lying when she is really ill.

Future Proof

Janeece puts her work life ahead of her home life, forcing Chalky to take drastic action. Meanwhile, Rhiannon's bullying campaign against Scout steps up a gear and Christine is devastated by the consequences of her alcoholism.

We Need to Talk About Cheryl

Madi gets herself into trouble when she makes a pass at step-mum Sian's new love interest. Elsewhere, Grantly is forced to resort to desperate measures when Maggie calls off their wedding, and Josh makes a momentous decision about his future.

A Woman Scorned

Dealing with quiet student Morag and her overbearing father's belief system, Michael decides to address his own father issues. Sian is persuaded to let Madi spread her wings, and Connor's attempts to help his mum backfire - with explosive consequences.

The Price of Love

Discovering a shocking secret about Rhiannon, Scout has to learn to turn the other cheek. Meanwhile, Christine refuses to retract her bullying claims about Audrey, and Kevin jeopardizes his place at Waterloo Road in order to help Connor.

Skin Deep

Connor snaps when Christine scuppers his plans to run away with Imogen. Elsewhere, Kevin reaches out to Chalky, Lorraine puts a student's welfare before the good of the school and Michael finally gives in to his ill father's pleas to help end his life.

Paradise Lost

Sparks fly as the notorious Barry family joins the school, and Barry Barry immediately causes trouble as his affair with another pupil's mother is exposed. Scout inadvertently starts a feud with returning teacher Nikki Boston, and Imogen fears Christine is keeping Connor away from her.

Bad Boy

Phoenix and Harley win the lottery. They want to spend, spend, spend, but does their dad have other ideas? Meanwhile, Nikki is forced to question her actions in punishing Scout, and Michael finds a friend in Christine when he gets news about his court case.

Whole Lotto Trouble

Imogen challenges Dynasty over her plan to get a boob job, but can Imogen face her own image issues? Elsewhere, Nikki's antagonism with Scout builds when she accuses her of stealing Lorraine's car, and romance is in the air for Christine and Michael.

A Woman's Worth

Christine's world is turned upside down by the arrival of her estranged husband. As the lies she has been telling for years start to unravel, they threaten to destroy her relationship with Connor. Elsewhere, Nikki is forced to reassess her view of Scout, and Connor wrestles with telling the truth to Imogen.

Sins of the Father

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.

Mr. Chalk's Waterloo

Former pupil Bolton Smilie causes a stir when he turns up in his army uniform to see Tom, but will Tom discover his real motivation for coming back before it is too late? Meanwhile, the Barrys' treatment of Connor leads Imogen to realise she still has feelings for him.

Sanctuary

Maggie is horrified to discover Jade is considering having her baby adopted, but how far will she go to change her mind? Meanwhile, Connor is sent into a spin when he discovers a pregnancy test - but he is shocked to discover it does not belong to the person he was expecting...

Baby Be Mine

Tom clashes with Michael over his decision to ban star player Kacey from the boys' football league final, causing Kacey's identity issues to come to a head with shocking results.

Man of the Match

Barry's behaviour finally makes Sian snap. With Sian's teaching career on the line, can Michael and the school save her? Elsewhere, Christine discovers Connor and Imogen are engaged, Kevin and Chalky's new phone app causes a stir and Scout's mum makes an unwelcome return.

Spartacus

It’s exam day and Scout’s promising future is in jeopardy thanks to mum, Tina; Connor is torn between the two women in his life as his secret wedding to Imogen approaches; and opportunity comes calling for Chalky and Kevin.

Paradise Found

Lula disapproves when new Waterloo Road pupil, Fergal, tempts Harley to behave dangerously out of character; Lorraine makes a surprise announcement; and Grantly struggles to keep his illness under wraps.

Nowhere To Run

Maggie’s patience is put to the test when Rhiannon goes off the rails; Sonya sets about recruiting a school handyman; and Connor is bullied into a dodgy deal by Barry.

Princess of Spices

Dynasty’s world is turned upside down with the arrival of her criminal ex-boyfriend, Steve-O Malone, who wants a new start with her – trouble is, she has eyes for someone else; Maggie is forced to return to work after Lorraine lacks compassion; and while Audrey fights to keep her job, Tom makes a life-changing decision of his own.

Grandmaster

Sonya has a day from hell which sees her dumped by Ndale and hospitalising Rhiannon; Lorraine and Nikki reach a crossroads in their relationship, Steve-O tightens his grip on Connor and Kevin; and an ex-pupil makes a surprise return to Waterloo Road.

Tan-Tastic

Steve-O continues his reign of terror over Connor and Kevin, forcing Dynasty into a shock decision; Christine contemplates moving on from Waterloo Road; and Lula makes an unlikely ally in the shape of new science teacher, Esther Fairclough.

Love Hurts

Desperate to rid themselves of Steve-O, Kevin and Connor enlist the help of Barry with a dramatic, but dangerous, plan; Sonya gets involved in love rival Audrey’s wedding – much to Ndale’s horror; and Michael clashes with Lorraine, forcing him to make a decision which will change Waterloo Road forever.

Revenge

It is the day of Audrey and Ndale's wedding, but with jealous Sonya as bridesmaid the day may not go so smoothly. Elsewhere, Michael is keeping his plans to save Waterloo Road secret from Christine, Lula steps up her plans against Nox, and Nikki's first day as headteacher does not go to plan.

Sugar Mummy

Michael returns to the school and makes one last ditch effort to stop Lorraine from making the school fee-paying. Lula’s campaign against Nox Pharmaceuticals reaches a shocking conclusion. The rift in the Barry family increases forcing Carol into taking some drastic action.

Journey's End

The Barrys family get ready to air their dirty laundry on national television. Kevin ends up under the spotlight though after an unexpected guest shows up. Christine decides to enjoy her new role as the school’s head teacher with gusto. Maggie needs to make a heart-breaking decision.

Dirty Laundry

Everybody is pleased to have Grantly back now that he is over his illness. Tom gets ready to donate his kidney to his life-long friend. After Kyle Stack shows up at the school though, the day ends in disaster as Tom attempts to help him.

Hero

Waterloo Road is a British television drama series set in a comprehensive school of the same name, first broadcast on BBC One on 9 March 2006, and concluding its original run on 9 March 2015. It was recommissioned in 2021, and resumed starting 9 January 2023.

At the failing comprehensive school, and later academy of the same name, the professional and personal lives of the students and staff are examined. Affairs, scandals, blackmail and many, many headteachers. Who said education was easy?

New Beginnings

Seasons17

Season 8 Episodes30

Cast4

Crew2

Discussion

Episode Summary