Thirtieth and final episode of Series 7, and the last episode set at the school's original location in Rochdale, England.
Synopsis[]
On the last day of term, when the school is preparing for the prom, Michael arrives to find that Alan Dixon has already sent letters to the staff announcing Waterloo Road's closure. However, he tells them he has agreed to run Lorraine's school, and invites them to come with him, most of them agreeing, despite it being in Scotland. He gives a motivational speech to the pupils, telling them they represent the spirit of the school, and will take anybody who wants with him, as Maggie, previously a care worker, will be superintending a boarding house. Josh returns to school, improved in his mental health, but Eugene Garvey's gang, seeing Finn as a traitor after his rescuing Naseem and leaving the gang, capture Josh, though they are observed by former pupil Ronan Burley, who alerts Tom and they rescue Josh, who has overheard that Kyle and Tariq are planning to smuggle a crossbow into the prom to fire at Finn. Kyle takes his position as the dance starts, but Tariq, unable to see it through, alerts Michael, who calls the police. Kyle fires, but Josh is injured saving Finn, and Kyle is arrested. Soon afterwards, Michael, Janeece, Tom, Daniel, Sian, Grantly, Maggie and a group of pupils travel in a minibus to look at the new school. They stop at the England-Scotland border to take a photograph with the 'Welcome to Scotland' sign, and Grantly proposes to Maggie on one knee. But a lorry which has veered out of control is heading towards the group...
Plot[]
Josh returns to school for the final day and can't believe how his best friend, Finn, was dragged into the gangs so easily.
Kyle pushes Tariq to make a revenge attack on Finn for the fire at the den. He has bought a crossbow and wants Tariq to use it at the prom later. Eugene tells Tariq that Finn is out of their gang, and is therefore fair game. Josh overhears part of this conversation and tries to warn Finn, but he won't listen. Taking matters into his own hands, Josh sets out to find Eugene and get him to confirm the conversation. Eugene threatens Josh, but Tom arrives just in time to break them up.
Tariq tries to get out of the attack on Finn, telling Kyle the crossbow has gone missing. Kyle realises Tariq is lying and finds the crossbow himself. With the prom in full swing, Tariq tries to get Finn to leave, but it's too late, Kyle is there and takes a shot. Josh arrives just in time, pushing Finn out of the way he gets hit by the crossbow bolt instead. Luckily it just grazes his arm. Kyle is taken away by the police as Finn tells Josh that he is sorry for not believing him.
Meanwhile, as news of the school's closure spreads, Michael struggles to get the teachers on board with moving to Scotland. He also realises that not all of the students will get a place in a local school and makes the decision to take some of them with him.
Elsewhere, Finn and Trudi get back together, Janeece receives a surprising gift and Grantly and Maggie take their relationship to the next level.
Finally, whilst moving to the new school, Michael and his colleagues are involved in an accident that could close the new school before it's even had a chance to open.
Main cast[]
Staff[]
- Alec Newman as Michael Byrne
- Mark Benton as Daniel Chalk
- Heather Peace as Nikki Boston (Last appearance until S8E11)
- Jason Done as Tom Clarkson
- Jaye Jacobs as Sian Diamond
- Chris Geere as Matt Wilding (Final appearance)
- Philip Martin Brown as Grantly Budgen
- Melanie Hill as Maggie Croft
- Chelsee Healey as Janeece Bryant
Students[]
- William Rush as Josh Stevenson
- Jack McMullen as Finn Sharkey (Final appearance)
- Naveed Choudhry as Tariq Siddiqui
- Aryana Ramkhalawon as Trudi Siddiqui (Final appearance)
- George Sampson as Kyle Stack
- Darcy Isa as Lauren Andrews (Final appearance)
- Kane Tomlinson-Weaver as Harley Taylor
- Lee Abbate as Zack Diamond (Final appearance)
- Kaya Moore as Phoenix Taylor
- Katie McGlynn as Jodi 'Scout' Allen
- Millie Katana as Rhona Mansfield (Final appearance)
- Hope Katana as Shona Mansfield (Final appearance)
- Shannon Flynn as Emily James (Final appearance)
- Georgia Henshaw as Madi Diamond
- Reece Douglas as Denzil Kelly (Final appearance)
- Shifaa Arfan as Naseem Siddiqui (Final appearance)
Others[]
- Ben-Ryan Davies as Ronan Burley (One-off guest appearance)
- James Gaddas as Alan Dixon (Final appearance)
- Stefan Gumbs as Eugene Garvey (Final appearance)
- Daniela Denby-Ashe as Lorraine Donnegan
