I'm Sure I Speak For Many Others...
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Sleaford, Lincs.
Tuesday 12 February 1980
Dear Ms. Home,
Your ‘Grange Hill’ series has a devoted following, age range 11–18 plus some staff 35–62 (me) and each episode has allowed us to explore touchy subjects without rancor. [sic] In one episode a caring staff went on Instant Strike and that left children to get into trouble. We found ourselves – my class and I – discussing divided loyalties and responsibilities. The episode involving the insensitive and ill-informed handling of a non-reader sparked off another discussion about the fallibility of teachers – in a defused, impersonal way. The unreasonable expectations of parents could be debated, because Grange Hill allowed this, without disloyalty to pupils’ own parents. Because these topics arose naturally out of our normal morning chatter – ‘Did you see that bit in ‘Mash’ where …’ we can laugh and argue on equal terms – no teacher – pupil – deference – discipline overtones, and we are never in danger of forgetting that ‘Grange Hill’ is entertainment not Social Studies/Humanities/Religious Studies.
I’ve taught in Secondary Moderns, private prep, ESN unit, grammar schools – state and Church – for the last forty years, and television, not only children’s drama, has been one of my most powerful allies.
I do hope you aren’t too badly bruised by criticism of Grange Hill. For every one silly teacher there are a hundred sensible pupils (and me)!
Yours sincerely,
Mrs. J. B.
The National Association of Head Teachers
5 March 1980
To: Managing Director, B.B.C. Television, Television Centre, Wood Lane, London W12
Dear Sir,
‘Grange Hill’
I have received a complaint from one of my members about an incident when a false fire alarm was caused by a pupil who broke the glass in one of the alarm switches. Another comprehensive school in the same town also had a false fire alarm.
There is no doubt in my member’s mind that the incident was brought about by an idea gained from the previous evening’s episode of ‘Grange Hill’.
It seems to me that the producers of Grange Hill have no idea of the effect that their programme can have on impressionable minds, nor do they realise just how much disruption can be caused by pupils emulating incidents in the television series.
Yours faithfully,
D.M.H.
Sheringham, Norfolk
10 March 1980
To: The Controller of Programmes, B.B.C. TV, London
Dear Sir,
On Thursday February 28th we had, in this school, our first ever malicious fire call.
I am disturbed that this followed so closely on a similar event being shown on ‘Grange Hill’ and feel that, whilst the connection would be difficult to prove, it is even more difficult to dismiss it as a coincidence.
Yours faithfully,
P.W.D.
Headmaster
St. Albans, Herts.
5 January 1981
Dear Anna Home,
I am writing to express my disapproval of last Friday’s episode of ‘Grange Hill’. I objected specifically to
1) the attitudes towards authority and to physical violence in the incidents with the caretaker
2) the language and attitudes of some of the boys towards the girls which fosters the male chauvinism that thinking members of society are trying to discourage
3) the attitude towards promise-keeping and social obligation by the girl on the protest committee
4) the general attitude expressed by the tone in which the line ‘they treat us like children’ was said and the context.
I can only comment on that particular episode as I do not generally watch the programme, but I have discussed it with other parents and with a teacher in a large comprehensive school who have all expressed doubts about various attitudes portrayed in the series. Reluctantly I have decided to stop my children, aged 8 and 10, from watching. I have never censored their viewing of children’s programmes before, but I feel that for their age group ‘Grange Hill’ is potentially harmful. The virtues of the programme, its ‘realism’ and avoidance of moral viewpoint, make it popular but also subtly undermining of values I would prefer to maintain.
Yours sincerely,
S. C.
P.S. I expect your reaction will be the inevitable British one involving class. If you do not want to portray middle class values (and I suspect ‘Grange Hill’ is devised as a counterweight to the charge that the BBC does this) you should consider the dangers of reinforcing middle class prejudices which are just as divisive of society as the opposite.
Seven Kings, Essex
6 January 1981
To: Anna Home
[Executive Producer, Grange Hill]
I feel I must write about the program [sic], GRANGE HILL I saw this evening 6th Jan. I am a broad minded adult. I was disgusted to hear girls discussing what happens to them monthly, with boys, surely it isn’t necessary. Also Boys discussing about there [sic] Mothers monthly.
I am glad my Son was not here, or any Male, I feel this is very personal to Women, and not to be shouted about on television. It just went on and on about the same thing.
I am very angry about it, and I think it was not fit for any one to watch.
Mrs. L. L.
Wollaton, Nottingham
6 January 1981
Dear Sirs,
Re: Grange Hill – Televised 6–1-81
I wish to register a complaint regarding the content matter in the Grange Hill programme televised at 5.10pm today. I was utterly shocked and disgusted that at a peak viewing time – supposedly children’s programmes – I should hear women’s monthly periods being discussed by school children.
I know this particular programme has been the subject of complaint in the past, I should have thought therefore you would have been more careful in what you put on the air.
Yours faithfully,
S. W.
Wirral, Merseyside
6 January 1981
Dear Sir,
How much more tasteless can the present series of ‘Grange Hill’ become?
Can young children look forward to a school girl pregnancy or a discussion on V.D.?
I object to this level of programme
Yours sincerely
D. M. H.
London SW10
9 January 1981
Dear Miss Home,
This isn’t simply a fan letter; I’ve been a theatre critic now for nearly 20 years and this is a critical suggestion.
I was caught by GRANGE HILL almost as soon as it began because it was what I saw when I was waiting for the news. I’ve continued to see it whenever I can, and have been interested to see individual kids growing up, notably the admirable Todd Carty.
It now seems to me that something might be done to follow their careers after they leave school – not for sentimental reasons, but because life for school-leavers is particularly difficult at the moment and it would be both interesting and helpful if a series could be devised showing how they cope with it.
You may think that five p.m. would be the wrong time for such a series, but I believe young people who follow the fairly sophisticated stories that GRANGE HILL copes with are likely to care a bit about what is going to happen to them when they leave school and are quite possibly unemployed.
If you think this is a dotty idea, just take my letter as routine fan-mail for a programme I admire very much.
Yours sincerely,
B.A. Young
Theatre Critic, Financial Times
Wythall, Birmingham
Wed 12 Jan 1981
Dear Sir,
I am surprised and annoyed that the B.B.C. continue to screen ‘Grange Hill’. The content and quality of the programme leave much to be desired and this only serves to undermine the hard work done by schools throughout the country.
To illustrate acts of thieving, bullying, smoking and other stupidities for young minds is to promote them – they become ac
cepted behaviour. No doubt the writer attempts to include a moral to his story but these are so often completely lost to young minds incapable of abstract concepts.
As Head of Lower School in a comprehensive it is part of my responsibility to recommend reading, watching and listening to children and parents. Until there is a radical change I shall do everything in my power to discourage the watching of this particular B.B.C. production. This is sad because in many other aspects the B.B.C. does a superb job assisting in the educational process.
Yours faithfully,
C.W. E.
Eastleigh, Hants.
Dear BBC,
I am writing to complain about the disgusting children’s programme ‘Grange Hill’. I must say most of it is either untrue or exaggerated enormously. I have just finished watching the fourth episode on the 9th of January, I have never seen anything so stupid as teachers actually punching one another, it’s just a load of rubbish and I don’t think it should be shown on television.
I know there are a lot of people who would agree with me and who would like to have the programme taken off the television.
Yours sincerely,
C. A. (Miss)
Beverley, N. Humberside
26 January 1981
To: Executive Producer, Grange Hill, BBC TV, London
Dear Ms Home,
The most recent edition of the ‘Radio Times’ features an article on ‘Grange Hill’ in which the following appears … ‘hardly any of the protests come from children who enjoyed ‘Grange Hill’ in their millions.’
I enclose the letters written by several of my pupils about the current series. The letters followed a lot of lively discussion and were part of a classroom exercise but contain their opinion not mine. They would be delighted to hear from you in some way and appreciate that you may not have the time to answer individual points.
I think it is interesting that some of them think the Grange Hill regime is too liberal. In rural East Yorkshire we are, so far, free from the declining standards of behaviour in London schools as depicted in ‘Grange Hill’ (i.e. some pupils do write on toilet walls but so far nobody has wrecked the toilets). However I and many of my colleagues are concerned that in depicting a view of school life, ‘Grange Hill’ may be responsible for encouraging the acceptance of that view as normal and to be copied.
I hope you will find time to acknowledge the pupils’ efforts.
Yours sincerely,
T. B.
English Department
Molescroft, Beverley
20 January 1981
To: The Producer, BBC, Grange Hill, London
Dear Ms [Anna] Home,
I thought you would be interested in my opinions of ‘Grange Hill’. My criticisms in lessons, you always see them in the corridors, and you hardly ever see them in the playground. The vandalism in the new series is a bit imagenary [sic] and to [sic] much for the children to have done. Also Tucker is not as naughty as he used to be, and all the other children too. My praises are that it is a quite true to life programme and that all the children do cheek the teachers and smoke, and change signs round ect. And if the programme was on a bit longer, and didn’t end in such exciting places it would be even better!
Yours sincerely,
H. G.
Beverley, N. Humberside
20 January 1981
To: The Producer, BBC, Grange Hill, London
Dear Ms. Home,
I thought you might be interested in my opinions of Grange Hill.
Criticisms. My criticisms on grange hill are the punishment there never seems to be much punishment. It could of been Something Very Important and all they get is a telling off I don’t think its enough they all get away with it to [sic] easily another thing the teachers at grange hill seem to be very soft with the children I wish I had teachers like that but I still enjoy the programme it is very enjoyable.
Yours sincerely,
S. M.
P.S. ask Tucker if he is well
Beverley, N. Humberside
20 January 1981
To: The producer, BBC, Grange Hill, London
Dear Ms. Home,
I thought you would be interested in my opinion of ‘Grange Hill’! I think it is rubbish. I turn off the T.V. went [sic] it is on and then turn it back on to watch PADDINGTON. I think the new series is good but there is a lot of villains. The teachers are not strict enough.
Yours sincerely,
C. P.
Beverley, N. Humberside
20 January 1981
To: The Producer, BBC, Grange Hill, London
Dear Ms. Home,
I thought you would be interested in my opinions of ‘Grange Hill’. When it first came on I thought it was very good. But now it is nothing like a school because they don’t have a uniform and they don’t have enough punishment in it and it is getting to be a load of rubbish.
Yours sincerely,
J. W.
Northampton
28 January 1981
To: BBC T.V. Children’s Programmes
Dear Sirs,
I have previously written to you on the vexed subject of Grange Hill. I can now say I find the new series equally obnoxious as before but because of my dislike I watch extra carefully in order to be fair to all concerned.
I do not doubt that in some areas school[s] are run and children act in such a manner as those portrayed, but I cannot understand why, if you must glorify the worst aspects you cannot also show some of the good points as well. Aren’t there any?
My own two daughters are not now so very young but there must be many children watching at that time of evening who are puzzled and bewildered at some of the subjects discussed e.g. menstruation. Also I do not see why I should have to listen to ill-mannered boys shouting their desire for a pee all over my living room.
Yesterday’s episode however irritated me more because Doyle was seen sitting in class reading a girlie magazine. The naked bum of the young lady on the cover was clear to all and I felt that to be a gross invasion of my house and standards, especially as newsagents now do not seem to display these magazines so prominently. I shall await your comments, but please don’t tell me that I could switch off because that I will not do, being concerned with other children’s interests as well as my own.
Yours,
S. M.
Charlbury, Oxon.
Dear Sir,
I was shocked to again see Pogo Patterson playing a major part in the Grange Hill series on BBC TV. Who does this child think he is? In my opinion he has very little acting talent and is fat to the point of obesity – it is definitely not musels! [sic] His physical appearance may not be his fault, but why are fat people portrayed as being so unpleasant?
I am now retired and derive a great deal of pleasure from watching children’s television, and so I also know what I am talking about.
A child like the actor who plays Pogo should never have been admitted to drama school, if his acting in Grange Hill is the best he can do. If this is a typical product of today’s drama schools, then I dread to think what the future holds for British drama.
May I add that I think Grange Hill is an excellent series, and some of the other actors and actresses are superb. Why does Pogo Patterson have to mar an otherwise enjoyable programme?
Yours faithfully,
G. S.
Liverpool
10 February 1987
Dear Sir or Madam,
On behalf of the students of this unit I have been asked to formally lodge a complaint concerning the disgraceful innuendo aimed at school guidance units, in your ‘Grange Hill’ programme of Friday 6th inst.
The head teacher, Mrs McCluskey implied that units such as ours were for mentally disturbed pupils. We believe she said something like ‘Girls not right in the head would have to go to the special unit’. Taken across the country nothing could be further from the truth.
May we inform your stupid scriptwriter that most units in this country are set up for a s
pecial type of pupils. Not dickheads as [s]he implies. They are for pupils who, for the time being, are unable to cope with, or adapt to the normal demands of secondary school. Pupils like us who seem to fail in the sphere of personal relationships especially with unsympathetic teachers who lack sensitivity and compassion and who always seem to get their own way.
So do us a favour and lay off giving our type of unit a bad name. Unfortunately so many of our secondary school friends watch your programme and jump to unreasoning conclusions.
Yours faithfully,
S. J.
Birmingham
23 October 1987
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am a student on a CPVE course at Garretts Green College. I am writing to say how I felt really upset when Grange Hill was on BBC1 in the episode when Samo and Faye were studying in the Sixth Form common room. Somebody mentioned about the CPVE and did it in a way that implied it was a course for thick people. Whoever mentioned [that] was wrong.
I also did not like when Stephen had said that they are THICKO’S because they were on that course. He is wrong. There is somebody who also is on the course who had got 3 ‘O’ levels and 4 CSE’s, so we can’t be that thick.
Thank you for making time in reading my letter.
Yours sincerely,
C. P.
Newtown, Co. Donegal, Eire
To: Series Coordinator, Grange Hill, B.B.C. TV Center, London W12 England
Dear Sir/Madam,
I would like to commend you on a fabulous television programme. I am a native of New York and I have never seen such a good show. When my family moved to Ireland seven months ago the first show I heard of was GRANGE HILL.
After watching GRANGE HILL a few times I came up with a story idea. It involves an American boy who comes over to England to live with an uncle and goes to GRANGE HILL. The ‘YANK’ gets into fights regularly about his accent, clothes who’s who in American football, and his love of practical jokes. Work schemes are one of his hobbies.
I was also wondering if you could tell me when, if any, auditions are being held in the month of June. I have been in five theatre productions, three of which I starred. In nine-teen-eighty-seven I was in a New York fashion show. I am 5’2’, 6 stone and I am 12 years old.