I have seen parts of the third series, I was expecting more of the same from the first series. This proved not to be the case. The third series is more funny and surreal than this instalment. The differences aside I would still heartily recommend this series for any which have not seen it.
The star of the show in Andrew Lincoln (Egg from 'This Life'), he is a believable and talented actor and plays the part of the central character. The show focuses on the his first year as an English teacher and the highlights key points which any would-be or newly qualified teacher would have thought about/experienced. His main dilemma is trying to achieve a balance between being popular with his students and actually teaching his pupil what they need to know in order to pass there English GCSE.
Overall the first series is not as surreal as the latter ones and the focus is on just one character. Well worth a watch.