It's 1978, and Jack Sheffield begins his second year as headmaster of a small village primary school in North Yorkshire. There are three letters on his desk - one makes him smile, one makes him sad and one is destined to change his life forever. A colourful cast of characters accompanies him through the school year.

It's 1977 and Jack Sheffield is appointed headmaster of a small village primary school in North Yorkshire. So begins Jack's eventful journey through the school year and his attempts to overcome the many problems that face him as a young and inexperienced headmaster.

In 1979 Jack Sheffield returns for his third year as headmaster of the village school. Jack and his staff struggle to keep a semblance of normality throughout the turbulence of the school terms, as once again the official school log fails to record what is really going on beneath the seemingly quiet routine.

It is 1980 and life is uncertain for Jack Sheffield. Ragley-on-the-Forest village school is facing closure and Jack might have to find another job.

It's 1981 and head teacher Jack Sheffield returns to Ragley-on-the-Forest School for another rollercoaster year. Vera, the school secretary, has to grapple with a new-fangled computer and enjoys a royal occasion, while Ruby the caretaker rediscovers romance with a Butlins Red Coat. And for Jack, wedding bells are in the air.

Another year of tears and laughter at Ragley-on-the-Forest Village School. As the 1982 school year begins, Jack Sheffield returns to Ragley Village School for his sixth year as headteacher. Nora Pratt celebrates 25-years in her coffee shop, Ronnie Smith finally tries to get a job, and little Krystal Entwhistle causes concern in the school Nativity play.

Jack Sheffield delights with the ups and downs of village life in another year at Ragley-on-the-Forest school.
As the new school year begins, Jack Sheffield prepares for an even more eventful year than usual. A new teacher is appointed, and before long tongues start to wag. Meanwhile, five-year old Madona Fazackerly makes her mark in an unexpected way, life changes dramatically for Ruby the caretaker and, in the village Coffee Shop, Dorothy Humpleby plans a dirty weekend. It's 1983 -- the era of the new CD player, Microsoft Word, the McDonalds McNugget, cabbage patch dolls, the threat of...

More funny and heartwarming for the North Yorkshire village school and its eccentric occupants.
1984 -- and it's an important time for the children of Ragley-on-the Forest school. Their school choir is to sing a carol in a church in York, and is actually going to be on television Helping to keep his excited children, not to mention their parents, under control during these momentous events taxes jack and his staff to the limit. And at the same time, Jack has his own problems to deal with.