New head and ex-Ofsted director, Dame Stella Drake, ushers in her era at Waterloo Road when she discovers the state the school is in. She commits to restoring law and order – but can she bring it back from the brink?

Donte faces his first hurdle as a trainee teacher when he locks horns with unruly new boy Ashton and juggles a secret liaison with one of the staff.

Meanwhile, Jared attempts to win the favour of history teacher Neil to keep him sweet on his new relationship with girlfriend Libby.