It's a fresh new term and dynamic headteacher Vaughan Fitzgerald and his family arrive at Waterloo Road and attempt to fit into their new lives. Darren's world falls apart after a shocking incident at home and George learns never to cross a member of the Barry family.

Vaughan is anxious about the launch of Waterloo Road's big community initiative.

Darren can't understand why Rhiannon is taking the virtual-baby project so seriously.

Gabriella returns to school to find some students determined to make her life difficult.

Will the pressure of mock exams prove to be too much for Lenny?

Simon and Sue's dinner party goes badly wrong after Hector speaks out of turn.

Allie convinces Vaughan to send Justin to a boarding school.

Sue finds herself in hot water when Hector threatens to tell Simon about their affair.

Vaughan goes to the police after Justin punches Allie, and Darren arranges a surprise.

It's a new term and the council wants to merge Waterloo Road with Havelock High.

Vaughan hopes the new bike bank scheme will show the school off to the community.

Vaughan's newly-qualified teachers Marco and Guy start work, but it's not long before Guy recognises Carrie Norton and the school comes down heavily on their relationship. Christine's plan to keep Audrey's smothering at bay backfires on her, while Sonya is forced to reveal a very private secret.

A trip to the coast does not go to plan after Kenzie lets slip about Bonnie two-timing Scott and Justin. More secrets are then revealed and one of the group runs off putting themself in serious danger.

Waterloo Road struggles to live up to rival Havelock High when the PTA comes to visit. Leo’s attachment to his computer game raises serious concern over his state of mind and Sonya frets over her impending test results.

Dale’s dreams of pro-cycling are thrown into disarray as the pressure of mock exams take over. Abdul is shocked by the revelation of a deep family secret and Kenzie’s relationship with her mother falls apart.

Dale struggles to come to terms with his failure to make the cycling team.

Dale's erratic behaviour reaches new heights and it's up to Lenny and Maggie to pick up the pieces. Abdul meets his mum, but it's not as he expected. The school gets a heads-up about a surprise inspection, but will the preparation be enough to save it?

Vaughan is torn between campaigning to stop the merger and Justin's exclusion. Things take an unexpected turn when Kenzie gets involved, while Lorna reveals a buried secret when someone from her past turns up. Sonya discovers something about Guy that sets her own lie onto a different course.

Waterloo Road pulls every last punch in a desperate bid to halt the merger with Havelock High. Despite the absence of Vaughan, the students rally to uncover the council’s real plans and Lorna’s ex-husband shows his true colours. The day of the consultation has arrived and it’s Waterloo Road’s last chance to halt the merger with Havelock High. The council and its supporters are out in force to convince the community and parents that the merger is the best outcome for everyone.

With no headmaster steering the ship, the students take matters into their own hands and they soon discover that the council is not being transparent about its real plans. Can the pupils save the school or is it really the end of Waterloo Road?

Marco grows suspicious of Lorna’s ex-husband but his meddling leads to a dangerous situation for him and Kenzie. Who will come to the rescue and who will finally win Kenzie’s heart – Scott or Justin?