Mr. Tom Clarkson (English Teacher/Depute Head) portrayed by Jason Done
Tom’s in his late 30s and is one of Waterloo Road’s most popular teachers. The boys like him because he doesn’t push them, the girls fancy him because he’s a good-looking male teacher – but he doesn’t take his fan club seriously. He tells himself this is education the modern way but it’s really ‘cos he doesn’t like taking a load of jotters home to mark.
Tom’s from a solid working class family with a strong belief in the importance and value of education. He developed a love of English Literature, but university was always going to be the gateway to a free and easy life for gregarious, good-looking Tom. Teaching seemed like the best bet to avoid serious hard work and be paid for talking about a subject he enjoyed. Tom is basically a sweet-natured bloke, eager to please and avoid conflict – but this has also become his flaw: a willingness to compromise and postpone difficult decisions.
Tom has never had a predatory attitude towards women, although WR has provided him with plenty of opportunities for love. Whilst he was dating Rose he also grew closer to her children Sambuca and Denzil – and try as he might, Tom just can’t switch that paternal instinct off. In series five Tom discovered that he had a teenage son he didn’t realise even existed. Despite a difficult start Tom and his son Josh have grown close. Josh lives with his father who quickly accepted his son’s homosexuality after Josh came out in series six.
Tom’s from a solid working class family with a strong belief in the importance and value of education. He developed a love of English Literature, but university was always going to be the gateway to a free and easy life for gregarious, good-looking Tom. Teaching seemed like the best bet to avoid serious hard work and be paid for talking about a subject he enjoyed. Tom is basically a sweet-natured bloke, eager to please and avoid conflict – but this has also become his flaw: a willingness to compromise and postpone difficult decisions.
Tom has never had a predatory attitude towards women, although WR has provided him with plenty of opportunities for love. Whilst he was dating Rose he also grew closer to her children Sambuca and Denzil – and try as he might, Tom just can’t switch that paternal instinct off. In series five Tom discovered that he had a teenage son he didn’t realise even existed. Despite a difficult start Tom and his son Josh have grown close. Josh lives with his father who quickly accepted his son’s homosexuality after Josh came out in series six.
