Inspiring headteacher breaks down in tears after student threatens to ‘burn down his house’

The headteacher of a secondary school was seen crying in his office after a student shockingly ‘threatened to burn down his home’.

In the latest episode of Educating Yorkshire, the Channel 4 programme delved into the challenges that can come with being in the teaching profession.

Mr Burton is one of the most well-known figures from the show, having previously appeared in the first series 12 years ago as an English teacher.

Now the headteacher of Thornhill Community Academy, in Sunday night’s episode of the series, he was informed that he needed to go to his office while a student was escorted off the premises.

Another member of staff told him: ‘Threats to you, threats to your house, threats to burn the school down.’

While sitting in his office after the incident with assistant headteacher Mrs Delaney-Hudson, Mr Burton became teary, saying of the student in question: ‘I know he’s going through a lot… But I’ve got three little ones at home.’

He went on: ‘You deal with it don’t you. But, threaten to burn my house down, and do all that stuff, like, that’s not right.’

During the episode, the student – whose face was blurred to hide his identity – was shown being escorted out of school by an adult.

The pupil punched a sign as he walked off the premises of the academic institution.

In the clip leading up to the distressing scene, Mr Burton said: ‘The minute that you think the job is easy, or you’ve got a really easy day in front of you, something will happen to change that.’ 

Viewers writing on social media were shocked at the threats made towards the educator, with Rich Armstrong saying that threatening to burn someone’s house down is ‘insane’. 

@salhomes added: ‘I’d have called the police if someone had threatened to burn my house & the school down.’

Bonnie also extended sympathy on X, writing: ‘Nobody should be reduced to tears at work (coming from someone who cries at work most days 😂)’.

Mr Burton has proved to be a kind and inspiring teacher ever since he helped student Musharaf Asghar overcome his stammer in series 1 of the show which aired in 2013.

As headteacher, he continues to offer personal support to the kids.

In episode two of the new series Mr Burton helps calm frustrated year seven Tremaine, who storms out of a classroom claiming he’s not wanted at the school.

Mr Burton takes the time to sit next to Tremaine and help de-escalate the situation by singing his praises and inviting him into his office for a chat.

While there, Mr Burton tells Tremaine: ‘I need you to remember and know we want you here, absolutely, 100%’.

While last night’s programme showed Mr Burton in a state of upset over threats made by a student, the episode also showed the rewarding experiences that can come from teaching. 

It was voting time as three students went head-to-head for the role of Year 7 representative in the school’s student parliament.  

Ismaeel won the vote and the hearts of viewers after performing a touching campaign speech which referenced his late grandfather.

Lauren wrote on X: ‘Ismaeel is so sweet and a credit to his grandad, who I’m sure was and is very proud. Eloquence and empathy are always a winning combination.’ 

Educating Yorkshire is available to stream on Channel 4, with new episodes airing on Sundays at 8pm.

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