Grange Hill The most famous school of modern times closes its gates for good this year -- but you can revisit its early years on DVD.

The first few series are on release from the BBC, with the first two in a new boxset featuring Tucker Jenkins and his pals.

Of course the look and language are very Seventies but these half-hour episodes haven't dated as much as you'd think.

The characters are timeless -- and what wonderful characters they are, easily recognisable from classmates we all encountered.

As a result it's a treat for those of us who attended school back in the late 70s, but still watchable for today's kids.

Later seasons offered high-profile plotlines like drug addiction and child abuse but these episodes still have their fair share of grit.

There's bullying, racism, protest marches, peer pressure, serious injury, punctuated by humour -- all in all it still comes across as realistic.

David Knights Waterloo Road Out now is the second series of this always watchable BBC drama set in a modern comprehensive school.

It's Grange Hill crossed with Teachers with gripping ongoing stories involving both students and staff.

In these 12 episodes the failing school finds salvation in the shape of a former student offering money for improvements.

But Roger Aspinall has a secret agenda -- he has salvation of a different sort in mind.

The episodes blend issues with personal drama, with a suicide storyline and particularly well.

Keeping staff occupied are a new sixth form, self-defence classes, work placements and job interviews.

The show is serious but not grim, with touches of light-hearted-heartedness, and it's suitable for teenagers but not children.

Katrina Knights