Ep 1. Oxford Dreams

In the season 3 premiere of Ackley Bridge, titled "Oxford Dreams," the characters return to the multicultural academy to find new management in place. The school is now being run by Sian (Ty Glaser), who is brimming with new ideas to bring the school up to speed with the rest of the country.

However, as the school deals with major budget cuts, Sian enlists the help of Cambridge-educated resident advisor, Will (Rob James-Collier), to help secure more funding. In doing so, they agree to let a prestigious Oxford college come and assess Ackley Bridge's potential for recruiting high-achieving students.

Meanwhile, the faculty must navigate the conflicting desires of new assistant headteacher, Martin Evershed (David Kershaw), who wants to focus solely on the needs of the disadvantaged students, and Sian, who is aiming for higher academic success across the board. This leads to some tension between Martin and Sian as they grapple with their differing priorities.

As the Oxford assessors arrive, tensions rise as the school attempts to keep up appearances while grappling with a lack of funding. At the same time, former best friends Nas (Amy-Leigh Hickman) and Missy (Poppy Lee Friar) find themselves at odds while navigating their own personal issues. Nas is struggling to come out to her family, while Missy grapples with a new relationship and the mystery behind a series of strange phone calls.

As the episode progresses, the characters must navigate their own personal struggles while attempting to prove to the Oxford assessors that Ackley Bridge is worth investing in. With a mix of humor, drama, and heart, "Oxford Dreams" sets the tone for an exciting new season of Ackley Bridge. Fans of the show will not want to miss this thrilling premiere.