Bricks without straw

Southdale School had once been the pride of its locality. In the days when the pits and factories were thriving and every child had a secure job to look forward to, it was celebrated for its caring environment and its success in turning out well adjusted working class citizens. As pits and factories closed, ripping the heart out of the community, the youngsters and their families became embittered. Hounded by the press and abandoned by the more ambitious parents, the school was caught up in a downward spiral of indiscipline, inadequacy and despair. Alison Lister, deputy head, builds on the inner strength that is destined to make her the spearhead of a campaign to rescue it from the threat of closure. On the way she makes enemies as well as allies and risks losing the love and support of even those closest to her as she becomes consumed by a desire to save Southdale.