Beyond The Hub Sexting Teacher by "Pumpkin Howl"

Channel 4 Production

Narrated by Eve Myles

Producer/Director Adrian Gatton

Executive Producer Ed Coulthard

Prod co Blast Films

‘Sexting Teacher’ is the story of a young teenager who falls in love with her teacher. They become closer and closer until they form a relationship. This is shown through numerous meetings between the two, direct messages on social media which further breaches the law between students and teachers of a certain age.

‘Sexting Teacher’ tells the stories of three teacher-pupil sexual relationships with the help of social media and smart phones, including a reconstruction of the case of maths teacher Jeremy Forrest, who ran away to France with a 15-year-old pupil.

The relationship starts as it shows the student even purposely leaving items in his classroom, just so she could see him again. She explained this in an interview, saying she thought he did notice, but ignored it. Moreover, the documentary shows their relationship developing and him even comforting her when she had a breakdown or issues within her family.

 The documentary also shows the parents plea to get their child back, and the exact actions of Jeremy Forrest, including UK and French police working together and searching everywhere and even showing him throwing his phone overboard on the boat to France. Forrest is currently in prison serving time for his actions. 

All three cases in the documentary led to the conviction of the teacher and had a traumatic effect on those involved and around those people. The cases show how technology is making a worrying trend of relationships between teachers and their students and show the dangers for the girls involved. 

This is a must-watch, as it highlights further the dangers which a minority of students may face. Personally, I found the information giving an insight to modern day issues, and I believe everyone should watch this. It's an important subject for teenagers and teachers alike. This does not state that every single teacher is going to want to have a relationship with a student, yet we should not dismiss the subject completely. This is a compelling documentary which handles the subject carefully, and describes the issues through re-construction. 

The importance is becoming more and more powerful as I’ve been told by fellow friends that they have had an eye for one of their professionals, and it even improves their grades. Even the boys gasped at the sight of a new blonde teacher whom arrived, and slobbered over her, until she placed an essay in front of them. Their interest disappeared. Even close family have spoken to me about how they had a certain “crush” on some of their teachers, and learnt better.

In my opinion, it is not wrong, often happens and a few months pass and that person will fade in their mind, but when it starts to go further, there is a problem. “That’s great” was my response to my friend but since reflecting on such a powerful documentary, it may be a subject of which is a bit too taboo.

The Channel 4 documentary highlighting affairs between students and staff, and the technology involved was narrated by Eve Myles. This featured real stories with actors in interviews and psychologists concerning the cases arising between students and teachers. Eve stated on Twitter in November 2013; 6 months pregnant, that she had spent the day working with Channel 4.

Although we got no pre-warning that Myles was narrating except from a few snip-its’ advertising the piece, we found out from fellow fans, Eve was narrating the documentary that night. Straight from the Welsh mouth, we heard Eve telling stories which have broke through the news in history, and even some people speaking about their love for those who educate the youth of society.

Myles delicately and beautifully narrates the piece. This is a small subject with vast consequences although a minority of these cases arise; it’s a subject which should be discussed to younger people. In terms, we are speaking about an adult, who is mature and experienced of life and a teen that is just getting their claws into the real world, profession or otherwise, the morals disagree.

Myles sensitively handles the subject and is rising in her professional career, and promises the fact that 2015 is her year. Further suggesting she has a few surprises up her sleeve, and even hinted that she is looking to take part in some more films.

Sexting Teacher is currently unavailable on Channel 4, however, you can watch it on the DailyMotion here: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1cr2ke_eve-myles-narrates-sexting-teacher-for-channel-4_news

Credit Cover Art: Nikki Forrest

Expo & Cons Wales Comic Con, Wrecsam, 27th April 2014 by Chloe Robertson

My dad driving me for one hour into Wales was quite boring. I ended up eating a homemade salad, and listening to some music as I started fretting if I would get in. I had bought a General Entry ticket, and worried how long it would take to get in. Upon arriving, my mouth was wide open, the queues went all the way around the campus building, and I was right at the back of the queue. It was about 10:56am and was a few minutes till they opened the doors. I thought it would take hours to get in, but it was very quick, people had their tickets ready, and everyone was in the door within fifteen minutes. What made the stuttering queue much better was the fact that there was two welsh teenage boys with a hysterical sense of humour! As there was a bus stop as we basically toured round the campus with the entry line, a bus came along of which their reply was “Ayyyyy! We are all getting on!” It was something which made waiting a fun experience. Upon getting in, there were some tables which we got a wristband from. Needless to say, there was a crowd, and I was alone and unsure. I got my wristband, and I couldn’t understand how I was suppose to put it on, but one of WCC staff who were getting people into one of the panels helped me out, and was a friendly person.

I had no idea where to go! There were people everywhere! I ended up following the crowd like a sheep, which ended up going outside to another building. Basically lost, I wandered back to the entry where the main Q&A halls were. I wanted to go to the “Twisted Showcase Panel” and saw an opportunity to find my way round from the leaflet we were given with a map. When I went there, I was in the fourth row, and it turned out to be about twenty people in there. This is where Gareth David Lloyd, Sarah Louise Madison, Norman Lovett, and some producers/writers of the web series sat. Whilst waiting for them to remove themselves from the autograph hall which I had no idea where it was, I found that somebody in that panel was waiting that I knew from Twitter. After a quick exchange of tweets, I found her, and had a nice conversation, and then watched the panel with her.

Once they started, a hilarious panel was made. Even a mention to Ianto’s ghost if I remember right, and it was fun! After laughing for quite a while, I left, and decided to go and find Gareth to get his autograph as my new twitter friend told me some little facts about conventions. As I had studied the map a little, I easily found my way, and then saw some of the Evelets. In case of those who do not know, Evelets are a fandom of huge Eve Myles lovers, which I am one of. After having a quick chat with them, I went to queue into the autograph hall of which you had to flash your wristband to them. Once in, the heat hit you, and a stand still crowd of people just stood observing the mayhem and trying to get to guests. I walked straight ahead of which I found Sarah Louise Madison who was lovely, and kind. I spoke to her for a minute and even got a photo with her. I may be a big fan of her now. Shhh, don’t tell anyone!

Once I had seen her, I walked round of which I saw Eve’s table, empty. She was travelling from America in the morning, and still on the plane till about 12:30PM. Right beside her was Gareth’s table. So was a huge crowd for another celebrity, and I apologised as it took me a few minutes to reach the table properly, it was like a tidal wave of people! He was lovely, and I wanted to speak to him, but did not know what to say! I was speechless! He gave me a lovely autograph, and I had seen him twice! I then got out of there. The crowds were massive, and I wanted to have a bit of fresh air. 

Once I saw my mum had given me five missed calls, even though I had told her I was in a panel from a certain time, and she somehow managed to call me, luckily it was on silent then. After speaking to her I got quizzed if I had seen Shane Richie yet. My mum then said for me to get a photo of him at his table. I am not rude, I don’t just take a photo of a celebrity without manners, and after paying for an autograph, I got a selfie with him. It was something of which I could make my friends jealous of for once in my entire life.  He was lovely, and apologised as he tried to ring one of the celebrities who were not signing and should be as I stood there. He was genuinely kind, and basically clichéd the word “sweetheart”. I asked him for a photo, and he was lovely and said that it wasn’t a problem. As I walked away he said “There you are sweetheart, something to make your boyfriend jealous.” Haha! Boyfriend? Ermmm no?! After that, I walked round again to peer if Eve had made an appearance yet. I also saw Warwick Davis whilst passing around the room, and saw some artists, and other people. I then went to the comic store, and found that Jonathan Ross was signing. I went to the back of the queue, and he was very chatty. It took an hour for a small queue to get to him, but again, another lovely man. I was greeted with a handshake and then had a signed image from him. Whilst asking of the spelling of my name Chloe, he asked if it had two weird dots on the ‘O’. Haha! He was lovely!

Whilst waiting in that queue for Jonathan, I can not lie that I did not brag to my best friend who loves Eastenders that I had a selfie with Shane Richie, ‘Alfie Moon’. She was very pleased for me, and just a little jealous. I also then bragged to my mum about it, but she didn’t reply. At that time, it was going on three, and since Eve was thought to arrive around four, I thought I would go and get in there quickly. Some of the Evelets told me they had been already waiting three hours for her, whilst some of the WCC team questioned where she was. Turns out, she was listening to Celine Dion in a taxi “My face was melting!” as she tweeted.  However, it was time for my Gareth photo shoot, and Gareth walked passed me as we were at the side of the autograph tables to the fire exit, smiling. I may have fainted. That was my third time of seeing Gareth that day. I quickly hurried over to the photo shoot building, and made a new best friend who was also meeting Gareth for the first time. I then got in the room, which we left our bags on the table, and queued to have a photo. My heart was going frantic, and I finally reached him, and stood beside for a photo. As I turned back, he winked at me. I nearly collapsed. I could feel my body slowly dying. Fourth time of seeing Gareth!

I quickly ran back, and there was no sign of Eve yet. My mum had called again, and I quickly answered and said there was no sign of her yet. I was starting to worry. About 5PM a freckled face and gap toothed woman popped her head down from the balcony and blew air kisses to us. As I was stood next to the fire exit, she walked past me. Second time of nearly fainting. She went and cutely hugged Gareth. We had been given numbers, and I quickly got flustered whilst seeing the woman! I dropped stuff, and then asked for a photo. Unfortunately she was not allowing photos, but seemed to let some fans quickly. Oh well. I gave her some gift bags and she thanked me, and then an apology. Everything in our first meeting went wrong. I quickly walked out, and got to the Torchwood panel. That had at least 200 hundred people in there, and it was full! I quickly found a seat, and Gareth came on. Eve came in later, walking passed me, ahhh! It was an amazing panel, and hilarious. My question wasn’t answered as they did not see my hand, even though Gareth shot a glance over to me with my hand up. Fifth time of seeing Gareth!

After the panel, I was supposed to be collected by my parents, and quickly hurried back to the studio. I noticed Eve was back, and thought I would have a second attempt of meeting. I was in another quite big line which went past Gareth’s table. My sixth time of seeing that amazing man. I think he was sick of seeing me. I was everywhere he was! I gave her the painting of her that one of my dad’s friends did as a gift. And the most amazing five minutes of my life was encountered.

Eve: *Finishes speaking to some #Evelets, looks down at portrait of herself*

Cashier: That is amazing!

Eve: It's fantastic!

Christine: Makes mine look like shit (jokes)

Eve: *to Christine* No yours is beautiful too! *to me* Who did it?

Me: My dad's friend (Tony)

Eve: *still amazed*

Me: Sorry, I was a bit of an emotional mess earlier

Eve: Hey, don't apologize, don't apologize. Thank you for waiting for me *Shakes my hand*

Me: Okay *actually shaking* your just my number one person to meet

Eve: *Hugs me* I was the same with (female actress, forget her name)

Me: *Going red, trying to fan myself* I'm sorry, I'm trying not to cry

Eve: *Has tears in her eyes too, comes round from table* Hey, *Gestures me to give her a hug* Cwtch

Me: Thank you

Eve: Listen, I'm a normal person too, I drink, I fart, I eat pizza, okay?

Me: *Nods*

Eve: You alright now?

Me: Yeah, I'm alright.

Eve: *Hugs me again, and returns to table* Who's it for?

Me: Me, Chloe.

Eve: Is that C-H-L-O-E?

Me: Yes

Eve: High five *puts hand up*

Me: *high fives* I loved you in Frankie and everything

Eve: Look there's Frankie over there *Points to Christine*

Me: Yes, It's amazing

Eve: Yeah, here you go. *Then gets distracted by other people*

Me: Thank you.

I was shaking after that, and I got back to my mum and dad, and I was in shock. I was smiling, and near crying again, and I told them and they were very pleased for me.

I would love to meet them all again, and I am hooked on conventions. However, the only thing I can advice you on is having a wallet of money, and a big bag! I love conventions, and I will be going again another year.

It’s a very worthy event to go to, and the staff are very kind and helpful.  There is always something to do and all in all, it’s a fantastic one day event.

The Coffee Shop Torchwood & Me by Chloe Robertson

It was last year, of which I found Torchwood, and it found me and took me into its universe of fandom. Glancing at the lifeless shows of normal telly, I was bored. Being with Virgin Media, and their subscription, I found On Demand and many Doctor Who episodes! However, to get there, I had to go through options of what category it was. Scrolling down the categories, I would select Sci-Fi, and at the top of the list, there it was; a universe of episodes of Doctor Who. I looked down the list as it spoke of Red Dwarf, Doctor Who and then Torchwood. I was intrigued by this, and after wearing out Series three of Doctor Who, I decided it was time to move on. I checked most days to see if Series Four had made it to the list, but instead Torchwood Series Two was sat, jumping out at me. A few days later, I forced myself into the temptation, and played the first episode of Series Two, because Series One had not made it there yet. I watched the title sequence, which was very modern and jumpy, and then a blowfish in a sports car going along to traffic lights. I was very sceptical, and once the team rode up in a big black car (The SUV) and the woman with the black hair (Gwen Cooper) asked the old lady at the traffic lights the common quote: “Have you seen a blowfish in a sports car?”, I dismissed the whole fact of Torchwood, and tossed it out of mind, as I felt it was just trying to be an adventure Doctor Who, which had a very childish factor (The Blowfish), even though it is cert 15.

About a month later, TV was plain dull, and once again I had gone through all the menus to access On Demand, I found no new Doctor Who, but there was Torchwood: Series One. I had nothing better to do, no homework, no social networking and it was a cold blustery day. I clicked on it, and began to play it. I thought if I started watching it from the start, I would get more immersed and begin understanding the drama taking place. I adore the element of action, guns, weapons, and assassination. As bad as that sounds, I love the feeling of not knowing what is going to happen next, instead of that old romance, of which you know from the first second a male and female meet in a story, it is predictable that they would fall in love, after a bumpy road. Torchwood was just what I liked, the twists of not knowing what was going to happen next, and the thrill of the tension, whilst having relationships which surprise you, and do not make you sigh in boredom of the predictable relationship. (Other than The Decoy Bride; starring David Tennant who made it extremely funny and twisted!) Two police officers, in the soaking rain, surrounding a body, as forensics took samples. Already it was interesting, a murder mystery I questioned? Well that mystery was soon revealed as a team sauntered up to the body, and everyone left, as the ginger police officer (Andy) suspected they were ‘Special Ops’, and then babbled later in “CSI Cardiff that’s what I’d like to see, they’d be measuring the velocity of a kebab!”.

We are turned to the attention of the team, and I am inquisitive to what they want with a dead body in the middle of Cardiff city, especially on a rainy day, when the blood has been diluted and all. Then after the police officer had mentioned ‘Torchwood’ in a great Welsh accent, and the title ‘Torchwood’, things began to unravel. However, they are alien catchers? Or so I thought. I sat back as they kneeled over the body, and Jack spoke “There you go. I can taste it. Oestrogen. Definitely oestrogen. You take the pill, flush it away, it enters the water cycle, feminises the fish. *pause* It goes all the way up into the sky and then falls all the way back down onto me. Contraceptives in the rain. I love this planet. Still, at least I won’t get pregnant. Never doing that again. How’s it going?” I loved how this brought some humour towards the show; it was not all focused on the body; and it then showed how the body was not as important, even as the rest of the team scrabbled along with a metal glove, and the dead man. It automatically showed how Jack was dictating, and was the leader. Once they resurrected the body, which could only be seen as a God alone action, we learnt how the team were normal human beings, as Owen snapped about “Freezing my arse off here” and the team froze in the frosty evening. We could relate to the characters, and see ourselves in them, they were unique, but they were real! They weren’t these fake people who carried a gun, and had the common blond hair, whilst having layers of make-up, and then walking around in killer high heels. No, this team, they were the relatable, not the sexiest team, they were not all super models, but they showed how you do not have to have the beauty of angels to be part of a team. It brought some reassurance to those of us (including me) who have a low self esteem. It was interesting as the corpse awoke and started talking, and then after a minute and Suzie using the glove, they were left in peace, and the team swanned off, and left the body surrounded by the police boundaries.

 

As Gwen peeked round corners, and looked for information of Captain Jack Harkness, the only name she had heard, we learnt as she learnt, whilst getting an insight to her life -and Cardiff around her. It teaches you about real friends too, the ones which would take a bullet, and then the ones who stand and watch as you take the bullet suggesting strengths of relationships. However, the team to me seemed like a small family, quietly working away in the depth of the city night above them. We understood Gwen was a clever woman, she knew her role, and being an Officer meant she would question every aspect which was unclear to her. I took it all in a light-hearted way, I was not a defined fan, but it did question the next episodes and showed reality, with the Sci-Fi feel. As we were launched into Gwen getting your average pizza guy to search the database, it showed she had authority, and I started to like her. After seeing the point where he is asked about a ‘Torchwood’ and his reply “Aye, we do ‘em all the time, good customers them”, it gave another funny aspect, however, Owen was not so secrete about their organisation. This made me laugh, but still I questioned the existence of ‘Torchwood’, and gave me the love of every individual, and the understanding of every characters life.

After Gwen calling Jack a ‘bastard’ as we would have all reacted, we saw her trying to remember, but also, it questioned, why use a computer, why not write it down, but she was in a drugged state. I loved how the story moved throughout the episode, and the development was fantastic. (Well done Russell T Davies!) I wondered why I had not heard of Torchwood before, or even why I dismissed it in the first place. Once Gwen remembered, which showed the awesomeness of her character, her remembering took her into trouble. Then after Suzie producing the gun, I felt the feeling, I loved of tension, once more Torchwood had me gripping the edge of the seat in suspense. Then, once Jack rose on the step, we saw Suzie not even hesitating as she pulled the trigger. I was gripped to the story. Then Jack stood up, after being shot in the head, as an act of glory, saving Gwen, and it shocked me, when in a split second, Suzie pointed the gun towards her, and put it at the bottom of her face, pointing up, and shot herself. My heart was actually pounding and basically missed a beat as she killed herself, trying to stop future consequences. Then Gwen was looking mortified, in total shock. Jack just walked on, like it was nothing, and offered Gwen the vacancy. After it finished, I was blown away by the intense start, and then thought, with such a good episode, I would watch the next. The more I watched, the more I would stay up late nights, just to finish an episode; and that was it, I and Torchwood were in a passion. The more I watched, the more my parents would sigh at the continuous titles of Torchwood, but I just adored it! Once I had watched all the episodes from series one to three, and everyday checked ‘On Demand’ for series four. I only started watching series four once it had been repeated on Watch. I also refuse to watch the last episode of Miracle Day, as I do not want Torchwood to end, because once I watch it, it will end my image and imagination. I have not watched all of it either because the characters change, they become badass and blow everything up, and Gwen changes her attitude. So no spoilers please! 

It has changed my out view on life, and has shown me, you do not have to be the blonde cliché, who has the best body, and the perfect plastic face. It showed me that being heartless was a bad decision in life, and given me the confidence whilst making me a selfless person. It influences my life, and I have fallen in love with Eve Myles! (Gwen Cooper). Torchwood brought me this personality, and I would be heartbroken if this is the way Torchwood ends…

Photo source: 

BBC Torchwood