Starting Out (British TV series) facts for kids
Starting Out was a series of TV shows made for schools in the UK. It was produced by ATV and Central from 1973 to 1992. Famous writers like Catherine Storr, Anthony Horowitz, and Grazyna Monvid worked on the shows.
There were seven different series in total, with 56 episodes. These shows were repeated on TV until 1994. The main idea was to help older students get ready for life after school. Each series was new and different, so it always felt fresh for new groups of students.
Some of the actors who appeared in the series include Joanna Lumley, Kevin Lloyd, and Chris Gascoyne.
What Was Starting Out About?
The "Starting Out" TV series helped young people learn about important life skills. Each series focused on different challenges and decisions that teenagers face as they grow up. The shows covered topics like making friends, dealing with family, and understanding how your choices affect your future.
Why Was it Made for Schools?
These programmes were created to be educational. They were shown in schools to help students think about what it means to become an adult. The stories were designed to be relatable and to spark discussions in the classroom. They helped students prepare for their next steps in life.
Exploring the Different Series
There were seven different "Starting Out" series, each with its own unique stories and characters. They were made about every three years. This meant that each new series could talk about topics that were important to young people at that time.
Series 1 (1973): Friendships and Family
The very first series in 1973 had 10 episodes. It was written by Catherine Storr. This series followed the lives of three girls, their boyfriends, and their brothers. It explored their friendships and family relationships.
Series 2 (1976): New Beginnings
Also written by Catherine Storr, the second series in 1976 had 10 episodes. It focused on a group of teenagers who meet a young man who is trying to make a fresh start in life.
Series 3 (1980): Choices and Consequences
This series, from 1980, had 10 episodes. It was written by Ben Steed, Dave Simpson, and Sheila Yeger. It told the story of a teenage couple and their families. The series looked at how their actions led to different outcomes.
Series 4 (1982): A New Home
In 1982, Grazyna Monvid wrote this series, which had 5 episodes. It was about a step-family who moved to a new area and started a new life together.
Series 5 (1986): Youth Club Life
Grazyna Monvid also wrote the fifth series in 1986, which had 8 episodes. This series was set in a youth club in a big city. It showed the lives of the young people who went there.
Series 6 (1989): Family Challenges
The 1989 series had 8 episodes and was written by Anthony Horowitz. It focused on a family and the problems their son faced.
Series 7 (1992): Running Away
The final series, from 1992, had 5 episodes and was written by Grazyna Monvid. It told the stories of a boy and a girl who both ran away from home for different reasons.
