In the second episode of this series following a year in the life of high profile headteacher, Gary Phillips, at Lilian Baylis school in south London, the pressure begins to bite. The English department needs to work very hard if it's to hit the crucial 30% A*-Cs in this summer's GCSEs. One strategy is for talented students to take exams early, and get some grades in the bank. Gary also gives a talk to senior civil servants, including permanent secretary David Bell, where Gary asks some hard-hitting questions about their role in managing schools. But amid the constant battles to hit the National Challenge targets, the day to day issues of running a secondary are also a key part of the agenda. In an effort to raise standards we see Gary and a colleague debating the difference between a trainer and a school shoe. It's a problem that looks set to run and run.

Video Series: Challenge
Release Date 2008