Channel 4 has unveiled Undercover Education, a new branded entertainment series which its third partnership with the Department for Education (DfE) and MG OMD to drop in 2025. Presented by presenter, screenwriter and children’s author Konnie Huq, this series sees skilled professionals from construction, motor mechanics and catering unknowingly step into the role of further education teachers.
Described as a “prank show with purpose”, Undercover Education sees industry professionals tasked with guiding an ‘intern’ who in actuality is an undercover further education teacher. Equipped with an earpiece, the intern will be fed conversation starters by a team of students and Konnie that highlight the professionals’ patience, creativity and value of their existing, real world industry experience.
The series is produced by Zandland and is set for Channel 4’s YouTube, Instagram, Facebook outlets, as well as on Channel 4 streaming. The deal was led by media agency OmniGOV at MG OMD.
Konnie Huq said: “It was great to work with the participants in these three fields to see their knowledge and the power of mentorship, whilst of course a lot of fun coming up with the conversations and pranks carried out by the undercover ‘interns’.”
Rupinder Downie, content solutions leader at Channel 4, added: “Undercover Education is an engaging, surprising, and heartwarming branded entertainment series that showcases the branded, creative approaches only Channel 4 Sales can offer our clients, to meet individual campaign and departments briefs.”
Josh Reynolds, executive producer at Zandland said: “Undercover Education has been such a fun and impactful series to have made in partnership with Channel 4 and the Department of Education as Zandland grows its Branded Content offering. We loved crafting this unique social experiment, orchestrating secret challenges that both entertain and delivers important messages about further education.”
This series follows previous partnerships with DfE: How To Love Your Job featuring Anna Williamson (Celebs Go Dating) and Teachers on Tour.
