''Starting Out'' is the title of seven series of programmes made for UK schools by ATV and Central from 1973 to 1992. The writers included Catherine Storr, Dave Simpson,

Anthony Horowitz Anthony John Horowitz (born 5 April 1955) is an English novelist and screenwriter specialising in mystery and suspense. His works for children and young adult readers include the '' Alex Rider'' series featuring a 14-year-old British boy who spi ...

and Grazyna Monvid. Comprising 56 episodes in total, the series were repeated until 1994.''Starting Out'' on the ''Broadcast for Schools'' website
/ref> The episodes were designed for older pupils who were about to leave school and who would soon be ''starting out'' on life as adults. A new series was made roughly every three years and was totally unrelated to that which came before, so that it was self-contained and relevant to the needs of each new generation of pupils. Several of the series were first broadcast late at night for preview by an adult audience, sometimes months before they were available to pupils. The cast across the seven series included

Joanna Lumley Dame Joanna Lamond Lumley (born 1 May 1946) is an Indian-born British actress, presenter, author, television producer, activist and former model. She has won two BAFTA TV Awards for her role as Patsy Stone in the BBC sitcom ''Absolutely Fabulo ...

, Kirsten Hughes,

John Savident John Frederick Joseph Savident (21 January 1938 – 21 February 2024) was a British actor, known for his numerous television roles, including his portrayal of Fred Elliott in the soap opera ''Coronation Street'' from 1994 to 2006. He was also ...

Kevin Lloyd Kevin Reardon Lloyd (28 March 1949 – 2 May 1998) was a British television actor, who came to prominence in the role of DC Alfred "Tosh" Lines in Thames Television's police drama series ''The Bill''. Early life Kevin Reardon Lloyd was bo ...

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, Katharine Levy,

Chris Gascoyne Chris Gascoyne (born 31 January 1968) is an English film, theatre and television actor. He is best known for his role as Peter Barlow in the soap opera ''Coronation Street''. Making his first appearance in December 2000 during a live, 50 minut ...

, Hywel Williams-Ellis, Nicholas Bond-Owen, Amanda Noar, Nick Conway,

Perry Cree Perry or pear cider is an alcoholic beverage made from fermentation (food), fermented pears, traditionally in England (particularly Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, and Worcestershire), parts of South Wales, France (especially Normandy and Duch ...

, David Nunn,

Carol Chell Carol Julia Chell (born July 1941) is a British children's television presenter and TV executive. She originally qualified as a teacher, and produced many educational TV shows in the 1960s. She is best known for her work as a long-serving present ...

Rebecca Lacey Rebecca Jane Lacey (born 20 April 1965) is an English actress. She is best known for playing Dr. George Woodman in ''Casualty'' and Hilary in '' May to December'' and for her stage work in the West End and The RSC. Early life She was born in ...

and

Ian Mercer Ian Cameron Mercer (born 10 July 1961) is an English actor. He is known for playing Gary Mallett in the ITV soap opera ''Coronation Street'' from 1995 to 2000, having previously appeared in 1987 as Pete Jackson. His other television credits i ...

. Scripts from four episodes of the third series by Monvid were published as ''Choices: Four Plays from ITV's 'Starting Out' Series'' in 1986, (reprinted as ''Challenges: Four Plays from ITV's 'Starting Out' Series'' (Heinemann Floodlights) 1988), while scripts from the 1989 series by Horowitz were published as ''Starting Out''.Horowitz, Anthony ''Starting Out'' Hodder Arnold (1990)

Series

*Series 1 (1973) written by Catherine Storr — 10 episodes about three girls, their boyfriends and their brothers *Series 2 (1976) written by Catherine Storr — 10 episodes about a group of teenagers who meet a young man who is on probation. *Series 3 (1980) written by Ben Steed, Dave Simpson and Sheila Yeger — 10 episodes about a teenage couple and their families, and the consequences of their actions. *Series 4 (1982) written by Grazyna Monvid — 5 episodes about a step-family starting a new life in a new area. *Series 5 (1986) written by Grazyna Monvid — 8 episodes about an inner-city youth club and the young people who go there. *Series 6 (1989) written by

— 8 episodes about a family and the trouble that their son has got into. *Series 7 (1992) written by Grazyna Monvid — 5 episodes about a boy and a girl who both run away from home for different reasons.

References

{{reflist 1973 British television series debuts 1992 British television series endings 1970s British television series 1980s British television series ITV children's television shows Television series by ITV Studios Television shows produced by Associated Television (ATV) Television shows produced by Central Independent Television British English-language television shows