Soap Secrets - SPOILERS...

Waterloo Road has been confirmed as being back on the 23 August 2012 at 8pm till 9pm , it is now on a Thursday instead of the usual Wednesday

here are the spoilers for the first episode

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.

Michael is played by Alec Newman, Jade by Paige Meade, Drew by Max Fowler, Sian by Jaye Jacobs, Gerard Findlay by Alex Norton, Lorraine by Daniela Denby Ashe, Tom by Jason Done, Christine Mulgrew by Laurie Brett, Audrey McFall by Georgie Glen, Grantly by Philip Martin Brown, Traiq by Naveed Choudhry, Rhiannon by Rebecca Craven and Scout by Katie McGlynn.

Episode 2 Spoilers

As troublemaker Lula’s home life spills into school, Tom tries to get to the root of her disruptive behaviour. 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.

Lula Tsibi’s homelife is far from happy. Distressed following another heated argument with her overbearing Uncle Lionel, Lulu runs to the sanctuary of her school - but her behaviour irks the other pupils and gives the teachers cause for concern.

Matters come to a head at Denzil’s commemorative ceremony when Lula lashes out at Imogen and Sian.

Far from being apologetic, Lula makes some unsettling comments about death. And later, she has a run in with Tariq, hurtfully suggesting his disability is a punishment from God.

Tom speaks to Lula’s uncle Lionel. But when Lula hears this she tells Tom that her uncle plans to perform an exorcism on her, as he believes she is possessed. Terrified, she begs Tom to help her.

Elsewhere Connor bugs his mother to lay off the alcohol but is met with Christine’s usual hostility. Playing up in class, Connor attempts to shame Christine - but it backfires and he’s humiliated in front of his classmates.

Concerned, Imogen tells Connor he can’t look after his mother forever - advice which spurs Connor to take drastic action.

Grantly is furious when his car is vandalised by Havelock kids but Michael wants to keep the peace and not involve the police. But while Michael attempts to build bridges with rival headteacher Gerard Findlay, Grantly can’t help but rock the boat.

Josh tries to convince Tariq that life is worth living, but Tariq isn’t interested and Sian receives an unexpected visitor at the gates of Waterloo Road.

Episode 3 Spoilers

It’s the day of Tariq’s kayaking time trial, and a steely focus hides his true intent. Michael is publicly confronted by his past and Connor and Christine’s unhappy home life spills into school.

Feeling down about his disability, Tariq takes drastic action to regain control of his life. Deciding to remove all unnecessary distractions, he gives Phoenix and Josh his prized possessions. A concerned Josh confides in Tom, but his father tells him not to worry.

Phoenix attempts to get Tariq to join in a fight with Gus and the Havelock High kids who have been playing pranks on the Waterloo Road schoolhouse. Tariq tells Phoenix that life’s too short for petty fights. Josh probes Tariq about his out-of-character comments but his concern is misinterpreted as pity.

Tariq is unsettled when his friends say they’ll be at his kayaking trials. Desperate to go alone, he tricks Phoenix and Gus into arranging a fight with Havelock High as a distraction.

Alone at the harbour, Tariq’s true intentions are revealed - leaving Tom and Michael with a race against time to stop his fateful plans.

Elsewhere, Gerard Findlay is on a mission to discredit Michael. Plastering an unsettling archive newspaper story about Michael’s past throughout the school, Gerard is caught red-handed by Grantly – but finds an unlikely ally within the Waterloo Road ranks.

As word of Michael’s former indiscretion circulate the school corridors, Lorraine is horrified by the news and Sian struggles to see Michael’s side of the story.