BBC Two announces ambitious current affairs programming for spring

Commissioned by Patrick Holland and Joanna Carr the programmes explore some of our most challenging contemporary issues from social mobility to the effects of modern day terrorism, both abroad and on our own soil. The programmes will air this spring on BBC Two.

• New three part series lifts the attempt to lift the lid on Britain’s education system with exclusive access to a grammar, secondary modern and primary school
• A two-hour mini-series from leading UK producer October Films sees journalist and former British soldier Adnan Sarwar return to Iraq
• One hour documentary from AMOS Pictures marks one year on from the devastating attack on Ariana Grande fans at Manchester Arena
• Simon Reeve is back with his latest offering for BBC Two as he travels to beautiful yet troubled Burma, also called Myanmar, for a new two part series

Patrick Holland, Controller of BBC Two, says: “This exciting raft of new current affairs commissions for BBC Two demonstrates the channel’s commitment to exploring in depth the issues that our audiences are passionate about. Whether that is the quality of education in the UK or terrorism on our own doorstep, to hearing life changing stories from individuals across the globe, these provocative programmes will certainly give viewers a different perspective on some of the most important issues facing us in the modern world. ”

Joanna Carr, BBC Head of Current Affairs, says: “More than ever the job of current affairs is to reveal the world as it is through compelling story telling. I am proud to have such a strong and varied programmes from some of the best modern journalists around.”

MH

Grammar Schools: Who Will Get In?

Only ten local authority areas in England have a fully selective grammar school system. But since Theresa May pledged her support for new grammar schools, a serious debate has begun about whether selective education should be expanded across the country. With access to three schools - a successful grammar, a nearby secondary modern and a primary - this series (3x60') follows the progress of students and teachers over one term to explore the impact of selection.

From the stresses and strains of 11-plus selection tests to starting a new school with or without your friends, what impact does separating children at 11 years old have on the environment they learn in?

The Secondary Modern and Grammar school may only be a few miles apart, but they present a stark contrast. Last year just 23% of pupils at the secondary modern reached a grade 5, equivalent to a high C or better, in both English and Maths. With a national teaching shortage meaning no permanent science teacher and a crackdown needed on disruptive behavior, the head teacher has her work cut out to get her pupils ready for their exams.

At the local Grammar 98% of students reached the same benchmark of grades and behaviour is classed as outstanding. However with the expectation that they will perform well, they face added pressure and children are anxious about achieving their potential.

From primary school to year 11 students, how has selective education affected the children in the two schools over the past five years as they prepare for their next big tests, their GCSEs?

• BBC Current Affairs in house production
• Executive Producer: Sarah Waldron
• Commissioned by Joanna Carr

Return To Iraq (w/t)

Return to Iraq (2x60') from leading UK producer October Films, sees journalist and former British soldier Adnan Sarwar return to Iraq to explore how the country has changed since he served in the country during the Iraq war.

On a journey from the top to bottom of Iraq, from its snowy peaks to its arid deserts, Sarwar will venture through ancient hilltop villages, ISIS tunnels, magnificent gorges; and sleep under the stars with the locals. He'll walk with mine clearing teams in Mosul, where people are returning to their homes, join wildlife conservationists releasing bears near one of Saddam Hussein’s old palaces; meet pop-singers, all-female fighting units, archaeologists, oil-workers, LGBT activists and ordinary Iraqis from all walks of life.

But with sectarian violence, ISIS sleeper cells and deadly bomb attacks still a daily reality, Adnan explores whether the country can break its cycle of violence, and forge a better future.

• Production company: October Films
• Series Producer: Jamie Berry
• Executive producer: Monica Garnsey and Denman Rooke
• Commissioned by Gian Quaglieni

Terror in Manchester (w/t)

This documentary (1x60') from AMOS Pictures is a powerfully dramatic retelling of the 2017 terrorist attack for BBC Two.

On May 22nd 2017 a Manchester-born man detonated a homemade bomb at an Ariana Grande pop concert, killing twenty-two people and himself. It was Britain’s deadliest terrorist attack since 7/7. The documentary tells the story of that night in forensic detail, through the eyes of teenage girls who survived the attack, witnesses and key members of the emergency services. It features unseen mobile phone video and unheard audio recordings and has exclusive access to the emergency services.

The film also explores the identity and motives of the suicide bomber. Featuring interviews with counter-terrorism police and his friends from South Manchester, the film sheds light on what may have led Salman Abedi, a 22-year-old Manchester boy of Libyan parentage, to target a group of children attending a concert celebrating the independence and empowerment of young women.

• Production Company: AMOS Pictures
• Produced and Directed by Jamie Roberts (The Jihadis Next door, War Child),
• Senior Producer Owen Phillips (Panorama: Fake Sheikh Exposed)
• Executive Produced by Dan Reed (The Paedophile Hunter, 3 Days Of Terror).
• Commissioned by Gian Quaglieni

Burma With Simon Reeve

Simon Reeve travels to beautiful and troubled Burma, also called Myanmar, for a new two-part series (2x60').

In August last year the world was left stunned when a brutal military operation drove hundreds of thousands of ethnic Rohingya Muslims from their homes. On his journey Simon discovers a divided country - where life is steadily improving for many, while others still live in terror of the military who still have enormous power in the country.

In this two part series, Simon travels to the biggest city in the country, Yangon to find out how the country is transforming. From there he drives north, into Burma’s Buddhist heartlands and the stunning ancient capital of Bagan - a sight that rivals the great wonders of the world.

Simon visits Bangladesh to meet the refugees traumatised by the violence. In what is now the biggest refugee settlement in the world, he learns about a crisis that has been brewing for decades, with no sign of ending, and potentially grave consequences for the wider region.

And he discovers it’s not just the Rohingya’s suffering at the hands of the military as he travels secretly into one of Burma’s many conflict zones to meet a rebel army who’ve been fighting the military for decades - in what has become the longest-running civil war in the world.

• BBC Current Affairs in house production
• Executive Producers: Sarah Waldron and Sam Bagnall
• Commissioned by Joanna Carr