‘Waterloo Road’ star explains Val’s exit drama after clash with Steve

“Waterloo Road” star Shauna Shim commented on her character Val Walker’s virtual exit in the latest episode.

In scenes aired earlier this week (October 1), music teacher Val passionately sides with student Noel, a gifted musician who struggles with the most academic aspects of school.

Val is ready to quit when headteacher Steve Savage (Jason Manford) threatens to throw Noel out of the A-level course. However, she later reconsiders when they come to an agreement.

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“Val has a long history in the music industry and her path to becoming a teacher is not as academic as the rest,” Shim said Digital spy and other press about her character connecting to Noel.

“It’s more based on their practical experience in the music industry. So she definitely feels like there’s not just one way to do a job.”

“Academic education, as important as it is, is not the only way to enter a profession, especially when it involves the arts.”

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Val doesn’t understand Steve’s decision and ends up questioning not only how the education system works, but also her role as a teacher.

“It just doesn’t make sense to them that someone like Noel could be threatened with not taking a class when he’s one of the most talented people in the room just because he doesn’t get a degree,” Shim said.

“He may not perform well under exam conditions, but give him a guitar, give him an instrument, and he handles it very organically.”

“She is so passionate about her students and they are what drives her. Working with them and seeing them discover themselves is what makes her feel alive and makes her shine.”

“And when she can’t do that, because these talented people are being dropped because their academic grades aren’t good…she definitely starts to ask, ‘What’s the point?'”

At the end of the episode, Val and Steve come to a compromise at the Battle of the Band, with the principal suggesting leniency for students who are struggling.

Waterloo Road airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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