Lorraine Donnegan

Philanthropist and businesswoman Lorraine Donnegan OBE was a former pupil of Michael Byrne's and benefactor of Waterloo Road school.

Lorraine first met Michael when he was starting out as a teacher. She was an educational no-hoper; Michael taught her to believe that she could achieve greatness, which inspired her to go to night school and better herself. Wealthy and extremely driven, Lorraine's a dot-com millionaire who wholeheartedly believes in the power of education and headhunted Michael to make her Waterloo Road vision become a reality. But although she says he is in charge can she really stop herself from interfering?

Lorraine shares a kiss with Nikki after she opens up about feeling like others saw her as merely Lorraine's "lapdog". Touched by Nikki's honesty and dedication, especially in how hard she worked to help Fergal, Lorraine assures her she never saw her that way. The moment turns intimate, culminating in a kiss that marks a shift in their relationship.

However, things grow complicated when Lorraine's sister Sonya spots them kissing at Lorraine's house while telling her she has birthday presents for their mother, Maureen. When Sonya mentions the visit, Lorraine dismisses it coldly, saying she's not going. Behind her tough exterior lies deep emotional distance, particularly around their mother, who is now in a care home with dementia.

As Maureen's condition worsens, she mistakes Sonya for Lorraine, believing Lorraine is the more loving, kinder daughter. Sonya is hurt, and tells Lorraine whilst crying.

Meanwhile, Sonya's resentment boils over when she confronts Lorraine at school, accusing her of only caring about business and manipulating her girlfriend Nikki to push students into choosing between study and play. Michael overhears, and asks Lorraine if she is dating Nikki. Lorraine abruptly ends her relationship with Nikki, saying she doesn't want to mix business with pleasure. When she later tries to apologise, Nikki firmly refuses to be Lorraine's emotional test run, telling her she won't risk her heart just so Lorraine can "practise being a human being".

Shaken by the fallout, Lorraine visits her mother and gently tells her that she's Lorraine. This upsets and confuses Maureen, who insists that Lorraine visits her often with cakes and gifts. When Lorraine tries to explain that it's actually her sister Sonya who does those things, her mother does not remember Sonya. When her mother asks once more, Lorraine doesn't correct her, letting her mother find peace in the illusion, pretending to be "just a friend" to Lorraine so as not to confuse or upset her further. The moment leaves Lorraine reflective, and she begins to rebuild her fractured relationship with Sonya.

Lorraine left Waterloo Road with Michael Byrne after agreeing to hand the school over to the local authority. Before she left she was planning to turn Waterloo Road fee paying, and rename the school 'The Lorraine Donnegan Institution of Excellence'. After some honest words from Nikki Boston, she realised her plans would not work. She and Michael had a brief conversation about whether they were a success, to which they agree they were. Michael and Lorraine leave Waterloo Road for good, going their separate ways.

Trivia

Lorraine's actress, Daniela Denby-Ashe, also appeared in Waterloo Road in Series 4 Episode 16, as supply teacher Jem Allen.
Lorraine has an OBE (Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire), as shown on the board on the school gates in Greenock.
Lorraine has two honorary degrees.

Quotes

"Michael Byrne, please. It's Lorraine Donnegan? Again." (first line)

"Last time I was made to wait outside his office, I'd been caught smoking."

Lorraine: "I'm setting up a school, close to one of my businesses in Glasgow."
Michael: "A school?"
Lorraine: "Not any old school. This place is gonna be something special. We're gonna inspire and nurture the next generation."
Michael: "Does sound a tad elitist, if you don't mind my saying so."
Lorraine: "Oh, I do, as it goes. Look, this school is gonna be independent, but it won't be fee-paying. Yeah? It's gonna take local kids, irrespective of their background."
Michael: "That's a very ambitious undertaking."
Lorraine: "Damn right! Everything about it will be ambitious. Striving for the best. And I want the best there is to run it for me. You."

Kyle: "Nothing. I was just leaving."
Lorraine: "Not with my credit card you're not."
Kyle: "Accusations like that can be bad for your health."

Lorraine: "An exceptional school requires exceptional teachers. Take Tom here. I know you go the extra mile for the kids. They respect you for your honesty. They open up to you because they know you care. And you, Matt. For your infectious enthusiasm when it comes to music. Or you, Sian. For your tenacity and ambition for the school."
Tom: "Well, you've certainly done your research, I'll give you that."

Lorraine: "Hi guys! Don't you all look gorgeous in your new uniforms? The reason I set up this school, is to help kids like you. I set up my first business in this town. And I've done alright! And the main reason for that, is that headmaster sitting there. The best in the country! He was the teacher who turned my life around, and I know he's gonna do the same for you. So work hard! Work very hard! And make yourselves PROUD!"
Grantly: "Puts me in mind of the Nuremberg rallies."

Lorraine: "Michael, the school curriculum. It's a bit...snooty. Isn't it?"
Michael: "Well, I think 'elite' might be the word that you're looking for?"
Lorraine: "I was thinking more along the lines of...'bollocks'."

"He's the head of Havelock High. And he's a moron."

"Sian. The man is so uptight, you couldn't draw a needle from his arse."

"How old are you lot? 17, yeah? Okay, so, by your age, I'd already set up my own business, which I started on the school playground at 14. Bit like that one out there. Selling mobile phone charms. No university for me. I saw a gap in the market. I worked my way up from phone accessories to a fully fledged telecommunications business. And part of that is the call centre some of you are gonna be working in this afternoon."

Michael: "There's more to higher education than debt."
Lorraine: "Cold baked beans and binge-dinking spring to mind."

"On the strength of that little shambles, I wouldn't hire you as the cleaner."

"Listen, it's not every day you win the lottery. If it was me, I'm not sure my mind would be on my schoolwork."

"They can all drive! Skanky kids learn when they're like 5!"

Nikki: "What? You-you're just gonna wash your hands of it? Even though it happened in this school, on your watch?"
Michael: "Alright, what would you suggest I do?"
Nikki: "Suspend her!"
Lorraine: "From the nearest lamppost."

Nikki: "Um...I think Barry's just admitted to stealing my car."
Lorraine: "Amazing, isn't it? The police know the Barrys are villains, and yet Michael rolls out the red carpet for 'em."

"One last chance. It's all about the exam results. I'm not convinced. Prove me wrong."

Sian: "Which is exactly why we have to take action with Connor now."
Lorraine: "You can burn him at the stake for all I care."

Michael: "I take it this early meeting is about appointing a new deputy, yes?"
Lorraine: "Oh, on the contrary, I've hired someone."
Michael: "I'm sorry, you've what?"
Lorraine: "Meet your new deputy head."

Lorraine: "Some of the teachers round here are way too complacent. And you're in the post to give them a boot up the backside, alright?"
Nikki: "Don't you worry, I shall kick ass."

"What, you think I gave you the job so I could...pull the strings? Nikki, the last thing I think of you is that you're...manageable. I've got some amazing plans for this school, and, you and me, we're the ones to make it happen."

"Yeah. So am I. Michael can't be our headteacher any more. So I need a new one. One who shares my vision, and wants to take the school forward."

"Which is their decision. And their problem. You're now the headteacher of Waterloo Road. And I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that you are the right person for the job."

"Michael lives in a fantasy land, where private money's dirty and infects everything. It's called the 70s, but I'm way too young to remember."

"Michael. Cut the schmaltz! You stab me in the back and I'm supposed to thank you for it?"

Lorraine: "Michael's convinced me that my fee-paying plan won't work."
Tom: "So...what're you telling us?"
Lorraine: "So, from tomorrow, this is no longer Waterloo Road, but the Lorraine Donnegan Institute of Excellence."
Michael: "What? What are you talking about, is this a joke?"
Lorraine: "You swayed me, Michael. Kids like Kevin and Tariq, they can't afford a private education. So they're all out."
Christine: "You can't do that!"
Lorraine: "Just did. From next term, there will be a 100% fee-paying enrolment. Every pupil will get the benefit of my expertise, and when that generation is out there making millions, you can all pay me the respect I'm due. Now, I know some of you won't like my plan. So this afternoon, I'll be in the deputy's office. You can either sign up, or collect your P45s."

"Everyone, I know the bell's gone, but thanks for staying behind. We've all been through the mill over the past few weeks, and the priority now is to restore stability, so we can all do what we do best. And that is to learn, and to teach. Mr Byrne and I are leaving the school."

"Were we a success?"

"Bye." (final line)