Vaughan Fitzgerald's first day as headteacher of Waterloo Road kicked off to a bad start with the unexpected arrival of wife Olga and sons Justin and Leo, and the unexpected death of Darren Hughes's mother.
Vaughan is the seventh and final headteacher of Waterloo Road in the original run of the programme.
Personality
Vaughan was a very optimistic and outgoing man. He was often good-natured and peaceful, eager to help others - in particular his own family. But, after the reunion with his wife and two other sons, the balance of his world is upturned dramatically. He is faced with the blame from his wife, Olga, for abandoning her, and the vengeance of his wrathful son, Justin. It is clear that Vaughan is riddled with guilt for abandoning them, but he is also oblivious to the effect it had. This is clear when he originally ignored Justin's violent behaviour, claiming that he would never act that way. He can come across as arrogant and opinionated, and seems to frequently take the opportunity to make himself look important, but he actually seems to care about other people, almost dominantly so. He does have a dark side, which is shown when he threatens his own son so that he would stop abusing Allie, and later personally drags him to a police station after he punches her - he does show himself to be slightly impulsive here, as he didn't take time to get both sides of the story. Ultimately he is caring as he eventually puts his children first as he chooses them over his relationship with Allie. Overall, Vaughan is surprisingly calculating, and manages to deduce that the man that Lisa and Shaznay tried to rob was in fact a conman. Vaughan proved himself a good man by desiring to give all pupils of Waterloo Road a chance, even if they'd proven troublesome in the past. He once says that he's made some stupid decisions before, but has never given up on a student.
Series 10 Autumn Term
Vaughan is appointed headteacher after the downfall of Christine Mulgrew. In Series 10 Episode 1, he arrives at the school with partner and Head of Art Allie Westbrook and her two children Floyd and Tiffany. George Windsor takes an instant dislike to Vaughan's revolutionary style and the two are constantly bickering. On his first day, Vaughan introduces himself to Kevin Chalk, who had suffered a stroke the term before.
During his first staff briefing, Vaughan's wife Olga Fitzgerald arrives with their two children Justin and Leo. Olga is being transferred to a mental health unit after suffering a breakdown, presumably caused by Vaughan's affair with Allie. Olga leaves Justin and Leo with their father. While Leo co-operates and immediately starts lessons at Waterloo Road, Justin refuses, eventually picking a fight with Floyd, leading Vaughan to attempt to find him a new school. Justin later agrees to remain at Waterloo Road.
During Vaughan's first day, Darren Hughes's mother is found dead by Christine Mulgrew. Darren runs off, believing a man his mother was sleeping with killed her. Vaughan is soon out of his depth and Christine unofficially mentors him. After the events of the day, Vaughan decides the school needs to be closer to the community it serves.

Vaughan and George
In Episode 2, Vaughan sets up the new Community Café for the public, and puts forward George for a deputy head post at Havelock High. George turns this down, but later resigns from Waterloo Road after Justin threw a tin at his head and Vaughan refused to back George up and punish Justin. Vaughan also has to deal with a conman who tries to blackmail him into giving him money from the school accounts, after Lisa Brown and Shaznay Montrose steal an urn from the man's house.
Vaughan clashes with his deputy Simon Lowsley as he suggests mediating between Justin and Floyd. Before he leaves, George warns Vaughan and Allie that Justin is out of control.
Episode 3 sees Vaughan support Allie in her virtual baby scheme, to teach the students what parenthood is like, and hopefully discourage any possibility of teen pregnancy. When Justin destroys one of the virtual babies, Vaughan learns that Justin had hit Allie in the head with a door when Justin and Leo first moved into their house back in the first episode. Later on, Carol Barry stages a fall in the home economics classroom, pretending to have broken her ankle and demanding compensation from the school; however, Vaughan catches her out when he later visits her at her house and lies that her cast is 'on the wrong foot', which it actually wasn't but her reaction gave her away. He then fires Carol.
Gabriella Wark returns in Episode 4. Vaughan tries to make it a new start for her, but the pupils are not as forgiving. On the same day, Vaughan takes the boys to visit Olga at her clinic. When they go to leave, Olga kisses Vaughan goodbye, leading Justin to think they will somehow be reunited, but Vaughan crushes these hopes when he tells him he does not love Olga anymore. Justin and Tiffany also begin a secret relationship this episode.
In Episode 5, Allie finds out that Vaughan has been paying for Olga's treatment at the clinic, and is angry with him. Vaughan later visits Olga at the clinic and tells her that he cannot keep paying for it. Also in this episode, Vaughan and Christine clash over her private tutoring of Lenny Brown after he suffers a panic attack. Vaughan refuses to let the pupils have their predicted grades, leading to Kevin Chalk hacking the school network to get them, later causing a boycott of the mock exams.
During Episode 6, Sonya asks Vaughan to help her enter a writing competition, and Vaughan kindly gives this to Simon Lowsley to handle. On the same day, Justin has his wallet stolen by Havelock pupil Mickey McArthur, after he paid for some food that Mickey was caught trying to steal from a shop. Justin confronts Mickey at Havelock, and later Vaughan tries to punish his son for fighting with Mickey after Mickey showed up at Waterloo Road and attacked Justin. Justin later attempts to set up a food bank for the wider community after following Mickey home and witnessing the poverty he is living in. Initially sceptical, Vaughan eventually comes round to the idea.
Vaughan and Allie spend the evening with Simon, his wife Sue, and Hector Reid at Simon's dinner party. Hector turns the atmosphere incredibly awkward when he makes a comment about the breakdown of Vaughan and Olga's marriage.

In Episode 7, Vaughan is woken up early by a 6am visit from the police asking him to come and let them into the school, because a computer in the school had been used to hack into WireData, a multinational technology company. Leo admits to the hack; although it was Kevin who showed him how to do it, Leo messed up when he tried to hack it himself. When Kevin claims to be the only one behind the hack, the owner of WireData announces his intention to prosecute him, but Kevin sets a computer worm on the network, which could destroy his company, blackmailing the owner into dropping the charges.
In the same episode, Vaughan finds out about Justin and Tiffany's relationship, causing Vaughan and Allie to monitor the two 24/7. Allie tries to make Vaughan send Justin to a boarding school, however Vaughan refuses, standing by his son.
In Episode 8, we learn that Vaughan has agreed to send Justin to a boarding school in Aberdeen after all, havign been convinced by Allie in an attempt to keep him away from Tiffany, but Justin attempts to run away to London with Tiffany. However, when they leave, Tiffany has second thoughts and secretly messages Allie telling her where they are. Allie rescues Tiffany, but abandons Justin by the side of the road, to the dismay of Vaughan. Allie later takes Tiffany to stay at a friend's house to keep her away from Justin.
In Episode 9, a young woman called Mandy Ruskin arrives to meet Leo after previously talking to him via Waterloo Road's 'Helping Hands Hotline'. It is revealed later that she is an escaped mental health unit patient. Mandy holds Leo hostage in the Fitzgeralds' bathroom with a pair of scissors, however he is able to talk her out of it. The episode highlights how distant Vaughan is from is son because he doesn't cause any trouble. In the same episode, Simon discovers Sue's affair with Hector, leading to him throwing Hector against the wall and almost hitting him with a baseball bat, but Vaughan stops him. When Simon tells him that he has secured a headship down in Wales, Vaughan tells him to take it, and Simon departs, leaving Vaughan with no deputy.

Vaughan and Allie
In Episode 10, on the last day of term, incidentally Justin's 18th birthday, Justin punches Allie in the face, after she shows him the texts that Tiffany sent her when he tried to run away to London with her. Vaughan walks in right after the punch and takes Justin down to the police station, telling the desk sergeant that Allie wants to press charges. Justin spends a few hours in a police cell. Vaughan later has a change of heart and returns to the station to ask for Justin to be released, but the desk sergeant tells him that Justin is already gone. The events reach a climax back at the school when Justin threatens to blow up Allie's classroom with a gas canister and a lighter. Vaughan talks him out of this, saying he loves him. Knowing they cannot continue in their relationship, as Allie does not feel safe around Justin any more, Vaughan and Allie split up and Allie leaves with her children.
On the same day, George Windsor returns to the school to ask for his old job back, and reveals that the local council have proposed a merger between Waterloo Road and Havelock High, meaning the school could potentially be closed.
Series 10 Spring Term

Promotional Image
Throughout the term, Vaughan's main objective is to save the school from the proposed merger with Havelock High. In Episode 11, Vaughan starts with a strategy of second chance policies. He enrols Scott Fairchild, Kenzie Calhoun and Dale Jackson, pupils whom no other school will take. Vaughan also employs Lorna Hutchinson as Simon Lowsley's replacement as deputy head, to enforce the second chance policy. Olga, Vaughan's ex-wife, arrives at the school as an agency supply teacher, to Vaughan's surprise. The pupils and staff eventually learn about the merger after Olga Fitzgerald messes with the new tannoy system and an argument between Vaughan and Lorna is broadcast to the entire school.
In Episode 12, Vaughan sets up Waterloo Road's new bike bank, where people can rent bikes for free, a scheme that he hopes will help to show the public what Waterloo Road can offer to the community, in an attempt to reduce the likelihood of the merger taking place. On the same day, Kevin Chalk is told at Havelock that he will no longer be taking his graphics and product design (GPD) classes there, as Waterloo Road prepares to have its first GPD Teacher. Kevin asks Vaughan if he could transfer to Havelock completely. Vaughan refuses, given the fact that Kevin is Waterloo Road's brightest pupil. Later on, both Olga and Christine Mulgrew defend Kevin's suggestion, saying he is "stuck down with kids a year younger than him. He's fed up, bored and getting into trouble". Kevin later finds himself in hospital after he takes off after Scott Fairchild on a bike, after Scott steals Dale's bike, and Kevin ends up crashing and hitting his head. Realising how unhappy Kevin is, Vaughan agrees to transfer him, and apologises to Olga for his hostility, offering her a job in the geography department.
Marco D'Olivera and Guy Braxton both arrive at Waterloo Road in Episode 13 as NQT Science and GPD teachers respectively. Vaughan mentors Guy, who is taken from the fast track scheme, comprising of six weeks' training. In the coming episodes, Guy struggles with the responsibility of teaching, and in Episode 16 he is officially a cause for concern.

Vaughan and Olga
The term presents more challenges for Vaughan's son Leo, who develops a gaming addiction, one his father is unaware of. Leo later injures Sonya when trying to steal back the laptop that Vaughan had confiscated from him. On more than one occasion, Olga tests Vaughan's parenting skills, not trusting him to help Leo with his addiction. She later enrols Leo for counselling, to both Vaughan and Leo's disapproval. The counselling later leads to Olga blaming herself for her kids' mistakes.
In Episode 15, Havelock High visit the school, and the PTA have a meeting to discuss the merger. On the day where the pupils need to show off the school, they run amok. With sexual novels read aloud on the tannoy and explosions in the science lab, Vaughan gives up hope of trying to stop the merger.
Episode 16 sees Vaughan desperately trying to find the identity of the cyberbully who is targeting Bonnie Kincaid, and in Episode 18, this turns out to be Leo. However, George Windsor catches Justin breaking into Bonnie's locker after receiving a message on her phone, which Bonnie had given him after Justin told her he would help to stop the bullying. Justin is then accused of the bullying and is almost expelled, however, thanks to Kenzie Calhoun, Vaughan later deduces that Justin would not know how to undertake such a task, and realises Leo is the culprit.
George Windsor tips Vaughan off in Episode 18 that Waterloo Road will have a surprise inspection from the LEA. This goes without fault and Vaughan begins to hope that Waterloo Road will be saved, however when in Episode 19, Leo is revealed as the cyberbully and Sonya reveals she does not have cancer at a press conference, Vaughan gives up completely.

In Episode 20, he refuses to go into school for the consultation, and Kenzie Calhoun is instructed to lead it instead by Christine Mulgrew. However, Vaughan later goes back to the school after being persuaded by Olga and Leo, and tries one final time to save Waterloo Road.

Vaughan and Scott
When George Windsor finds out there is no money to build the new block at Havelock High, he blackmails the council into calling off the merger and Vaughan continues to lead the school. Vaughan is last seen at the celebration at Waterloo Road being saved.
Behind the scenes

On 19 September 2013, it was announced that former Drop the Dead Donkey star Neil Pearson had been signed up to play one half of teaching duo Vaughan Fitzgerald and Allie Westbrook, alongside former Brookside star Nicola Stephenson as Allie. Pearson and Stephenson's first scenes were set to appear in Series 10, which aired the following year. Speaking of his casting, Pearson said: "Waterloo Road has a long and successful history, an impressive list of alumni, and a highly talented and enthusiastic cast. All of which makes me very excited to be joining my new school." Executive producer Brian Park said how "thrilled" the team were to have Pearson and Stephenson joining them. He also mentioned how big of an impact the pair would make when they arrive on-screen. Pearson revealed he was attracted to this role because of the problems that Vaughan would run into: "a new job, his relationship (with Allie), his two stepchildren (Allie's children Tiffany and Floyd), new domestic responsibilities (with his children Justin and Leo) as well as how he will "balance work and two families". It was announced on 15 October 2013 that Vaughan would be the school's new headteacher. It was revealed after a fan visited the show's set and saw a sign saying 'Headteacher: Vaughan Fitzgerald'. It was announced, on 2 April 2014, that the show would be ending at the end of the tenth series, and on 22 August, the final scenes were filmed.
Trivia
- Vaughan was the first headteacher of English nationality at the school since Karen Fisher, and is also the only English nationality headteacher at the Greenock campus.
- He is the second-shortest-serving head, serving in the role for 20 episodes.
- He was previously an English teacher and taught several classes in the second half of Series 10 due to staff shortages.
- He is the fourth male headteacher to be featured on the show, after Brian Vaisey, Jack Rimmer and Michael Byrne.
- He is the final headteacher at the Greenock campus as well as the final head of the original run of the show.
- Vaughan was the only male headteacher to have children who were shown on screen and who attended the school. Jack Rimmer had children, but they were unseen characters.
Quotes
- "Well...will I do?" (first line, Series 10 Episode 1)
- "Thank you, thank you! What a lovely welcome for your new head."
- Sonya: "Um, s'cuse me, Mr Fitzgerald? You've got a visitor."
- Vaughan: "Yes, I am quite busy, Sonya."
- Sonya: "Um...it's your wife."
- "We're worried about them, everybody, if you do hear anything, please let us know. You can get back to our crossword now, Mr Windsor."
- Vaughan: "Havelock High is looking for a new deputy head. I've been asked to put forward names of potential candidates, I thought of you."
- George: "Gosh. I wonder what I've done to merit recommendation from the visionary that is Vaughan Fitzgerald?"
- Vaughan: "What in the name of god are they?"
- Allie: "Virtual babies...for the schoolhouse kids. Apparently, they're supposed to be really effective, the best way to teach young people what it's like to have a real baby to look after."
- Vaughan: "Ms Westbrook, you are some kind of genius, and you keep reminding me why I fell in love with you."
- Vaughan: "Not only do you insult Allie, I now find out you've been physically violent."
- Justin: "It was just a stupid doll."
- Vaughan: "Not the doll. The door. In her face. I could happily punch you."
- Justin: "Go on then."
- Vaughan: "No, I'm better than you. Look at me. Look at me. If you ever lay a finger on Allie or any other woman ever again, I will make you wish you had never been born, do you understand? How did I end up with a son like you? You're vile."
- Carol: "I'm just tryna provide for me family!"
- Vaughan: "Provide what? A winter holiday? 50-inch plasma?"
- "What?!" (incredulously exclaimed on several separate occasions and in multiple different episodes of Series 10)
- "Education is not about competing, it's about fostering a spirit of curiosity."
- Simon: "Yeah, quite a few. And they all say that kid came from nowhere, jumped him."
- Vaughan: "But he hit back?"
- Simon: "Wouldn't you?"
- Vaughan: "That's not the point. I've been too soft on him."
- "Yeah, I dunno whether you've noticed, but we have a crisis on. There are police swarming all over the school!"
- "I'm sorry you've felt a bit neglected since we came here. It's because you're no trouble. You just get on with things quietly, not like Justin, always a drama."
- "This won't solve anything. It will just make things worse, Justin, please, put the lighter down. If you put it down, we can start to sort things out. You've got me. I'm not going anywhere."
- "This is your headmaster speaking. You've had your fun, time to get down to some hard work. Registration. Now."
- "No, George was just leaving, he is burning to get to his first lesson, where he will educate, inform, and inspire."
- "I've made some stupid decisions in my time - George, for example - but I've never given up on a kid." (Series 10 Episode 11, partially replayed as one of the quotes from past and present characters heard at the end of Series 10 Episode 20)
- "Right, at the risk of sounding like a tea towel, please, keep calm and carry on."
- Olga: "Education's about opening doors!"
- Vaughan: "Yes, it certainly is. Let me show you through this one!"
- Vaughan: "Come on then, let's get it over with."
- Olga: "What?"
- Vaughan: "Whatever it is you have to say, you've got your serious face on. Your 'we need to talk' face."
- "Hey, uh...I know I'm a lame old man, but, um...fancy shooting up some bad guys?"
- "Yeah, I don't know whether you've heard this, but I'm trying to prevent a merger between this school and a school called Havelock High. And I really don't give a damn about your cheese."
- "No, but if you do want to live on the planet Zog, do it in your own time, after your grounding from us."
- Christine: "Vaughan, the press want to talk to the head, we've got quite a situation developing."
- Vaughan: "I don't care. My family need me. They come first."
- "I'm finished, Christine. The school is finished too. I've no fight left in me."
- "Cue the music!" (final line, Series 10 Episode 20. Also the final line spoken on-screen by any character in the original run of the programme)