Donny stood at the front; he didn’t look like he was in a good mood but he made sure his presence was felt in the room. The teachers stood against the wall, waiting to take the students off to their various lessons. Tina was in the corner of the room texting – Donny glared at her, and she quickly shoved her mobile back in her pocket. The rules were there for the students and staff too. No mobile phones to be used throughout lessons or in morning assembly. He watched as she edged out of the room and headed for the toilets.

Donny welcomed his charges like he did every morning. Working in a school like Second Chance meant the place was small enough to know each pupil properly – and each teacher. Melanie stood to his left and he could feel her eyes on him. He blushed slightly as he caught her gaze. ‘Good morning, everybody.’ There was no reply. Donny raised his voice higher and repeated himself. ‘I said, good morning everybody, can nobody hear me or what?’

Chelsea was first to respond. ‘Good morning, sir, why are you shouting? Take a chill pill. Don’t take your moods out on us.’ She had an answer for everything, could never stay quiet. At least Donny had their attention now.

‘Guys, some of you have lost your breaks today. I’ll read your names out at the end of assembly. It’s your own fault, if you go on the system for your behaviour, you know the consequences, so deal with it.’

A few of the kids were complaining all the same. One girl, Annie Watson, folded her arms in front of her and made sure everyone could hear her.

‘I hope I’m not on the list?’ She shot a look over at Melanie and gritted her teeth together. ‘That silly bitch over there probably put my name forward, she’s got it in for me. Her lessons are boring, and, just because I told her I wasn’t doing any of her shit lessons she got all arsey.’

Donny cut her short; this kind of talk was not acceptable. ‘Annie, rein it in. In fact, go up to my office and wait for me there. I don’t know who you think you’re talking to. Miss Peters is a member of staff and I won’t have you speaking to her like that. Do you talk to your mother like that?’

Annie stood up and her cheeks were red with angry defiance.

‘My mam gets told too; you can say what you want to me. I’m not arsed, her lessons are still shit.’

Donny blasted his voice over at her. ‘My office, now!’

Chelsea turned to Nancy and smirked. ‘You tell her, sir,’ she piped up. ‘No respect, that’s her problem and that’s why she’ll end up getting a slap from me if she carries on with her attitude.’