Simon Luxton
25 April 2009tbs.pm/2234
![Lee Sparke Grange Hill Lee Sparke Grange Hill](/uploads/1/1/1/7/111766393/198095762.jpg)
Simon Luxton passed away on 3 March 2009. Before he died, he completed this article – part three of his series on Grange Hill. It is dedicated to his memory.
Lee parted company with Grange Hill because producers wanted to kill off Jonah! According to Grange Hill Gold, Jonah was to drown in the school swimming pool after his classmates turned against him. Lee was disgusted with the plans and didn't sign up for the new series. Gordon 'Jonah' Jones, was a student at Grange Hill, from 1982 to 1983, played by Lee Sparke. He made his first appearance in episode 1 of series 5 and made his final appearance in episode 18 of series 6. Jonah is the cousin of Jeremy Irvine. Grange Hill Memories 2. A one-day cast reunion event held in Fulham. Sunday 22nd May 2016. Part of The Authorised Andrew O'Day Profile Pages Andrew O'Day In Words and Pictures Andrew O'Day: Facets of Fandom.
1982 saw major changes to Grange Hill, off-screen and on. After two years of filming at Willesden High in North London, the school ‘moved’ to what was then Holborn College in Greyhound Road, Fulham.
The new school looked very different from the previous two Grange Hills. It was in a more built-up area with space at a premium. However the new studio sets at Television Centre were a loving recreation of Holborn’s interiors. Phil Redmond stepped down as Grange Hill’s executive producer to form his own production company in Liverpool, which would produce a new soap for the forthcoming Channel 4. He also came off Grange Hill’s writing team. Colin Cant handed over the reins to new producer Susi Hush.
Grange Hill’s third crop of new ‘first years’ brought with them more of the anxieties we all felt at secondary school – cheeky chaps Zammo Maguire and Jonah Jones filled Tucker’s shoes nicely (he and his mates were now limited to cameo appearances in the new series, also his last), while Roland Browning was the archetypal fat boy and his lot was not a happy one. So much so that, in a harrowing study of the psychological effects of bullying, he throws himself under a car to escape torment from an increasingly malevolent Gripper Stebson. Whether he meant to end it all or just give himself a break is unclear but Grange Hill made a point of showing the vicious circle that caused Roland to comfort-eat when he was unhappy which ironically, would just make it worse for him.
Series 5 was also the point at which Grange Hill became more openly political. A shortage of textbooks meant pupils had to share both in class and for homework. The parents had different ideas on how to overcome this. In a heated parent’s meeting, Stewpot Stewart’s socialist father insisted it was the state’s responsibility to provide enough to go round while Claire’s mum was all for parents buying the books. Then the end-of-term school revue organised by wild card English teacher “Scruffy” McGuffy, failed to impress Mrs McClusky with its biting satire of how she was running her school and of education in general. Finally the contentious issue of s-e-x raised it head, sex education in the third year divided pupils and parents and the prudishness of Mrs Scott backfired when Claire kept a diary fantasising about imaginary exploits with Mr Hopwood. Mr Scott was soon on his way to Grange Hill to knock ten bells out of Hoppy but Claire was left with egg on her face. Life was no easier for her best friend Suzanne Ross. A minor player in Series 4, Suzanne was thrust into the spotlight with her constant rebellion against the reintroduced school uniform and her regular ‘bunking off’. Suzanne also did not relish having “that flippin’ curse” for the next 30 years.
It is said that what made Grange Hill captivating was escapism. Children could watch their contemporaries do all the things they’d never get away with themselves. This is what got me hooked when I saw my first episode in 1983. By now Gripper Stebson’s bullying had gone from bad to worse as he resorted to hardcore racism against Grange Hill’s large community of black and Asian pupils. As a nine-year old at the time, the racist element went over my head during this initial viewing but to see Stebson making life a misery for all and sundry and – gasp – back-answering teachers like Bullet Baxter was something I would never have dreamt of doing. Unfortunately Gripper’s exploits were causing a wave of copycat behaviour throughout the land and Stebson was expelled from Grange Hill in episode 14. No sooner had I found Grange Hill than the main attraction had gone – but at least it brought to an end two years of misery for actor Mark Savage who was constantly being threatened with violence.
Gripper’s racist thuggery signified the hardening of Grange Hill, overseen by new script editor, the late Anthony Minghella in his pre-film-director career. It was during Minghella’s tenure that Grange Hill produced its most memorable storylines including Zammo Maguire’s descent into heroin addiction. Minghella did not bank on a spanner being thrown in the works when planning the 1984 series. The main event was to have been the drowning of Jonah Jones in the school swimming pool. Actor Lee Sparke was unhappy with the plans and refused to sign up for the new series, forcing a major rewrite but one not too far away from the original idea. Jonah’s cousin Jeremy Irvine, previously a Rodney Bennett pupil returned, this time as a Grange Hill pupil, to take Jonah’s place at the bottom of the water. Jonah himself was packed off to Wales with his father’s new job. Vincent Matthews, who played Jeremy, told fan website Grange Hill Gold that the drowning of his character was intended to cause maximum impact because the departure of Tucker Jenkins had dented Grange Hill’s ratings slightly.
Grange Hill was now entering its highest-profile period. That brought its own problems – hordes of fans disrupting filming caused Grange Hill to move between real schools three times already, but plans were in hand to avoid the need for that. In 1983 the BBC purchased ATV London’s former studios at Elstree for the purpose of making a new twice-weekly soap opera. The site had more than enough space for other projects so Grange Hill could have a new permanent base there which was closed to the fans. The changes needed to be explained on-screen, so in Series 7 foundations were laid for Grange Hill to amalgamate with rival schools Brookdale and Rodney Bennett to form a new super-school. The merger was confirmed later in the series and paved the way for Grange Hill to make its periodical ‘refresh’ the following year.
![Lee Lee](/uploads/1/1/1/7/111766393/490779063.jpg)
So in 1985, the new Grange Hill opened as a split-site campus. The Upper School was the old Grange Hill building, the lower school the old Rodney Bennett campus. If the Lower School building looked familiar, it’s because it was in fact Neptune House at what was now BBC Elstree Centre, the plan being to move the entire production to Elstree in due course. With the new school came new ‘first years’ Gonch, Hollo, Ronnie, Calley, Jane and Trevor Cleaver who apart from having to overcome the usual insecurities of starting secondary school also had to step into rivalry between former Rodney Bennett and Brookdale pupils, now brought together under one roof. Mrs McClusky suffered a humiliating demotion to deputy head but the new head was hardly ever around, so her job changed little. Other new faces appeared in the staffroom, including a French master who would become the epitome of Grange Hill – one Maurice Bronson, very vocal in his opinions against the merger and who from the outset developed a penchant for picking fights with pupils, the first being Zammo Maguire. “You boy!” became Bronson’s war cry.
Zammo had other worries. No school drama would be complete without an epic romance. The Romeo and Juliet of Grange Hill were Zammo and Jackie Wright. Their pairing had more obstacles than Shakespeare’s young lovers – she was a Brookdale pupil. Once the schools merged, Zammo had a rival for Jackie’s affections in ‘bovver-boy’ Steven “Banksie” Banks. Actor Lee MacDonald chose his screen girlfriend himself when the BBC auditioned at the Anna Scher Theatre School and picked Melissa Wilks, at this point best known for her “Grand Pricks” faux pas on It’ll Be Alright On The Night. Over four series the Jackie/Zammo/Banksie love triangle remained compelling but it was always Zammo the viewers wanted Jackie to win and Zammo and Jackie’s union would have far more serious obstacles to overcome.
A fourth article was planned in this series on Grange Hill, which would have looked at Zammo and Jackie’s relationship in further detail, and other aspects of the series. However, with the sad death of Simon, it is here that this series must end.
Author
Simon Luxton
Tags
#BBC One, #CBBC, #childrens television, #grange hill, #programmes
Related Articles
Grange Hill | |
---|---|
Season 5 | |
Country of origin | United Kingdom |
No. of episodes | 18 |
Release | |
Original network | BBC One |
Original release | 5 January – 5 March 1982 |
Series chronology | |
Next → Series 6 | |
List of Grange Hill episodes |
The fifth series of the British television drama series Grange Hill began broadcasting on 5 January 1982, before ending on 5 March 1982 on BBC One. The series follows the lives of the staff and pupils of the eponymous school, an inner-city Londoncomprehensive school. It consists of eighteen episodes.
Cast and characters[edit]
Pupils[edit]
- Todd Carty as Tucker Jenkins
- George Armstrong as Alan Humphries
- Michelle Herbert as Trisha Yates
- Terry Sue-Patt as Benny Green
- Robert Craig-Morgan as Justin Bennett
- Lindy Brill as Cathy Hargreaves
- Linda Slater as Susi McMahon
- Ruth Davies as Penny Lewis
- Rene Alperstein as Pamela Cartwright
- Peter Moran as Pogo Patterson
- Mark Baxter as Duane Orpington
- Joanne Boakes as Anita Unsworth
- Paula Ann Bland as Claire Scott
- Mark Burdis as Stewpot Stewart
- Lisa East as Christine Everson
- Dulice Liecier as Precious Matthews
- Susan Tully as Suzanne Ross
- Mark Savage as Gripper Stebson
- Nicholas Pandolfi as Matthew Cartwright
- Julian Griffiths as Denny Rees
- Lee MacDonald as Zammo McGuire
- Erkan Mustafa as Roland Browning
- Alison Bettles as Fay Lucas
- Simone Nylander as Janet St. Clair
- Nadia Chambers as Annette Firman
- Terry Kinsella as Jimmy Flynn
- Lee Sparke as Jonah Jones
- Paula Taras as Belinda Zowkowski
Teachers[edit]
- Michael Cronin as Mr Geoff Baxter
- Robert Hartley as Mr Keating
- James Wynn as Mr Graham Sutcliffe
- Brian Capron as Mr Stuart Hopwood
- Lucinda Gane as Miss Terri Mooney
- Susan Porrett as Mrs Hilary Thomas
- Gwyneth Powell as Mrs Bridget McClusky
- Allyson Rees as Miss Lexington
- Timothy Bateson as Mr Thompson
- Fraser Cains as Mr Bill McGuffey
Episodes[edit]
No. | Episode | Writer | Director | Original airdate |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Arrival | Alan Janes | Diarmuid Lawrence | 5 January 1982 |
Six new pupils arrive at Grange Hill. Roland Browning gets off to a bad start when he falls victim to Gripper – and the whole school. Meanwhile, best friends Jonah and Zammo unleash stink bombs onto the school, disrupting Miss Mooney's first lesson. First Appearances: Jonah Jones, Zammo McGuire, Roland Browning and more ... | ||||
2 | Settling In | Alan Jane | Anthea Browne-Wilkinson | 8 January 1982 |
When Gripper takes bullying to a new level, Roland is pushed over the edge and deliberately cuts himself in woodwork, forcing Mrs. McClusky to summon his mother to school. Meanwhile, Zammo and Jonah ask for Mr. Hopwood's help in teaching Gripper a lesson that he will never forget. | ||||
3 | Sex Education | Jane Hollowood | Anthea Browne-Wilkinson | 12 January 1982 |
A lesson on human biology is announced, and a letter is sent home to alert the parents of what their children are learning. Mrs. McClusky thinks it's a great idea until her office is filled with angry parents, and Claire's disapproving mother only makes matters worse. Meanwhile, Pogo tries to make money by selling school textbooks that contain pornographic images. Final appearance: Pamela Cartwright | ||||
4 | Text Books | Margaret Simpson | Anthea Browne-Wilkinson | 15 January 1982 |
With Grange Hill in financial crisis, The Computer Club wants to buy a new computer for £1200, and the PTA tries to come up with some fund-raising ideas. A 'Sponsored Spell' is on the cards. Meanwhile, Gripper sees the text book shortages as a way of earning money, getting his supplies from St. Mary's girls. He ropes in Pogo as an unwilling accomplice to sell them. Unfortunately, Gripper's muggings have not gone unreported – Mrs. McClusky is investigating his latest bullying scheme. | ||||
5 | Instruments | Margaret Simpson | Anthea Browne-Wilkinson | 19 January 1982 |
Belinda starts learning the clarinet, an expensive instrument that she becomes paranoid about getting damaged. Annette hides it in the boys' changing rooms for a laugh, but Belinda is not amused, and nor is Pogo when she bursts in while he is changing. Annette's joke backfires when they discover the clarinet has disappeared... First Appearance: Janet St Clair | ||||
6 | Sports Trials | Margaret Simpson | Christine Secombe | 22 January 1982 |
Benny inspires Zammo to become an athlete and saves Roland from another beating from Gripper. Even though he escaped Gripper's demands for payment, Roland is having trouble with his other classmates, and desperately wants to gain their friendship by signing up for the School Revue, led by Mr McGuffey. Final appearance: Benny Green | ||||
7 | Saturday Job | Barry Purchese | John Prowse | 26 January 1982 |
Gripper fools Mr. McGuffey into believing he has the wrong room by locking the door and H3 cause havoc for him until Mr. Hopwood arrives. Teachers are noticing that Suzanne Ross is bunking off and Mr. Hopwood discovers why. Mr. McGuffey shows off his performing feet to the amusement of Pogo, who gives a weak comedic performance. The teacher is more impressed with the natural humour of Stewart and Duane. | ||||
8 | Scruffy McDuffy | Barry Purchese | John Prowse | 29 January 1982 |
Pogo is determined to profit from selling tickets for the School Revue. Matthew Cartwright has written a piece for the school magazine, but the editors have doubts about publishing it. Gripper offers Matthew protection against possible damage to his new digital watch. Suzanne comes to school in a chic dress and has an audience with Mrs. McClusky. Mr. 'Scruffy' McGuffey finds himself defending his 'sartorial style', and loses control of his class after an outbreak of humming, and he accidentally antagonises Mrs McClusky. | ||||
9 | Stickers | Barry Purchese | John Prowse | 2 February 1982 |
Jonah comes to school plastered with badges, but Mr. Hopwood insists that they are all removed. Placing yellow stickers on different places and unsuspecting people becomes a new hobby, much to the caretaker's disgust. Who can put a sticker in the most daring place, the boys or the girls? Meanwhile, Roland is seeing an educational psychologist, but Gripper has found out and gives him some grief about it. Things get worse for Roland when he is framed for grassing on Jonah and Zammo, and turned against the whole school. Has Gripper finally pushed Roland too far? | ||||
10 | Exploration | Barry Purchese | John Browse | 5 February 1982 |
Zammo and Jonah have been cleaning up the stickers, including ones mysteriously found on the school trophies. Fay, Annette and Belinda are told tales about the service tunnels by the workmen. Annette has a go at Fay for being too goody-goody. She challenges Fay to go spelunking with her in the service tunnels. After school, the girls have a row, and Fay storms off, but Belinda stays to follow Annette. Once underground, it's Belinda who seems to have taken charge. While the girls get lost, thieves have broken in under Gripper's instructions, in search of the trophy cabinet. | ||||
11 | Sponsorship | Jane Hollowood | John Prowse | 9 February 1982 |
Miss Mooney announces a scheme of collecting 'Minto bar' wrappers to raise money for science, but some are cynical about the chocolate bar's promotional gimmick. It's girls versus boys. Roland's father owns a firm that sells Minto bars. Will Roland's determination to fit in amongst Grange Hill force him to steal from his father? | ||||
12 | Zoo | Jane Hollowood | Diarmuid Lawrence | 12 February 1982 |
A trip to the zoo gets off to a bad start when Roland can't fit through the turnstiles. Even Miss Mooney is finding the loud teacher from a rival boys' school hard to bear. Annette chats up Carrots Garvey, a pupil of Westerfield School, and a friendly little war breaks out, and Zammo finds himself targeted by a new student, while Jonah goes for an unexpected swim... | ||||
13 | Girl Gangs | Margaret Simpson | Anthea Browne-Wilkinson | 16 February 1982 |
Claire can't believe her eyes when she witnesses Suzanne demanding money off Roland Browning. She is horrified to discover Suzanne has become Gripper's latest partner in crime. Can she save her friend from going off the rails? Meanwhile, it's time for rehearsals for the School Revue. The School Council meeting seems unsatisfactory – Mrs. McClusky won't even discuss censorship of the School Magazine. First Appearance: Christine Everson Final appearance: Justin Bennett | ||||
14 | Diary | Margaret Simpson | Anthea Browne-Wilkinson | 19 February 1982 |
Claire seems to be hanging around Mr. Hopwood a lot. The student biology teacher has difficulty controlling the third formers, what with Duane's laughter box and Pogo's bleeping watch. Claire is writing a diary, in which she fantasizes situations with her heartthrob Mr. Hopwood. Her mother finds the hidden diary and reads the romantic entries, and becomes convinced something is going on. Claire's father arrives at Grange Hill, confronts Mr Hopwood in front of pupils and makes a complaint to Mrs McClusky. Will a schoolgirl crush result in the end of a teacher's career? | ||||
15 | Despair | Alan Janes | John Prowse | 23 February 1982 |
Roland has a session with his educational psychologist and is told he has to go and see a dietician. At the rehearsals for the School Revue, Janet tries to talk to him, but in backing away from her evil clutches, Roland steps through the scenery. Gripper tries to see if Roland really can roll, and then Roland gets grief from his mum over the state of his clothes. Gripper's demands for cash have now reached the point beyond Roly's means. He tries to fight the bully, but his blows are ineffective. Someone writes a message about Roland's meetings with a shrink, and it proves to be the final straw when Roland goes missing... | ||||
16 | School Revue | Barry Purchese | Diarmuid Lawrence | 26 February 1982 |
Pogo is appointed as a replacement for one of Suzanne's team in the School Revue – but is lacking what Mr. McGuffey calls 'Elegance'. Tucker and Alan buy some cheap champagne, paying in small change, for a prize in a raffle – Mr. McGuffey's not entirely happy about this, but it does seem to have boosted ticket sales. Everyone is playing a role in the School Revue. But will it be enough to impress Mrs. McClusky? Final appearance: Tucker Jenkins (as a series regular), Alan Humphries, Trisha Yates, Cathy Hargreaves and Penny Lewis | ||||
17 | Aftermath | Alan Janes | Anthea Browne-Wilkinson | 2 March 1982 |
Mrs. McClusky announces that Roland's out of danger, but won't be back for a while. She suggest that N1 creates a get-well card and Annette is appointed artist. Belinda tells Fay and Annette that she has to leave, because she's going back to Canada, and Fay decides that they'll buy a present for her. Everyone is forced to make a donation for both Roland and Belinda, and Gripper plots to steal it. Can Jonah and Zammo stop his reign of terror reaching a new low? Final appearance: Belinda Zowkowski | ||||
18 | Exams | Alan Janes | Anthea Browne-Wilkinson | 5 March 1982 |
It's nearing the end of term, and Mrs. McClusky antagonises everyone by bringing exam week forward. Pogo resorts to cheating to pass his exams. But Gripper is keen to cause trouble for him. Will he ruin Pogo's future at Grange Hill just for some fun? Meanwhile, Mr. Sutcliffe and Miss Mooney's engagement is in jeopardy when they come to blows about the date of the wedding, And, Suzanne clashes with Claire's strict mother. Final appearance: Mr Sutcliffe |
Lee Sparke Grange Hill Primary School
DVD release[edit]
Lee Sparke Grange Hill High School
The fifth series of Grange Hill was released by Eureka Entertainment on 19 November 2018. This series includes English subtitles on all 18 episodes on three DVD discs, with format of 4:3 and total running time of 443 mins. (7hrs 23min)
Notes[edit]
References[edit]
Lee Sparke Grange Hills
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