Ep 6. They Don't Know Nothing

In Ackley Bridge season 3 episode 6, titled "They Don't Know Nothing," tensions run high as a local councillor proposes to merge Ackley Bridge with a neighbouring school, causing uproar among the students and staff. Meanwhile, Kaneez is struggling to come to terms with the news of her husband's infidelity and fears that her daughter Nas will also be affected.

The episode opens with Kaneez still reeling from the discovery that her husband has been having an affair. She confides in Mandy, who offers her sympathy and support, but Kaneez is worried about how Nas will react to the news. Nas, for her part, is preoccupied with her own problems. She has been offered an interview at a prestigious university, but feels unprepared and out of her depth.

As the news of the proposed merger spreads throughout the school, tensions start to mount. The students are outraged at the idea of losing their identity and being forced to mix with students from a different neighbourhood. They protest outside the council offices, waving placards and chanting slogans.

Mandy, meanwhile, is more concerned about the financial implications of the merger. She fears that Ackley Bridge will lose out on vital funding and resources if it is absorbed by a bigger school. She meets with the councillor to voice her concerns, but he brushes her off and accuses her of being negative.

The teachers are also divided in their opinions. Sadiq, the headteacher, is cautiously optimistic about the merger, seeing it as an opportunity to create a bigger and more diverse school. But Martin, the science teacher, is vehemently opposed, arguing that Ackley Bridge has a unique character and culture that would be lost in a merger.

As the episode comes to a close, the tensions between the various factions come to a head. The students stage a sit-in protest in the school, demanding to be heard. Kaneez confronts her husband's mistress, determined to get some answers. And Mandy, Martin and Sadiq face off against the councillor in a heated debate.

"They Don't Know Nothing" is a riveting episode that explores some of the key themes of Ackley Bridge - identity, diversity, and community - in a nuanced and thought-provoking way. The relationships between the characters are as complex and multilayered as ever, and the writing is sharp and incisive. Fans of the show won't want to miss this instalment.