For many 16 is an age of opportunity, full of hope for the future. But for the teenagers of Castleford, a small town in the heart of West Yorkshire, 16 is a time for facing up to some stark realities.
It is summer 2004 and the end of term at Castleford High School, but unlike other towns, in Castleford the end of GCSEs means the end of school. With no sixth form facility and very little opportunity for work above the minimum wage, the future for Castleford school leavers looks bleak.
Sweet Sixteen, a new six-part documentary, follows the lives of seven 16 year olds over one year as they face the daunting prospect of life after school. With the nearest further education college over four miles away and meagre local job prospects, the young people of Castleford face some tough choices.
Will their dreams become reality or will they get shot down as they struggle with the responsibilities of adult life?
Read synopses of the programmes
Produced by Talkback Thames for Channel 4
