A first-look image shows the new leads and former Class K students Stephen (Layton Williams) and Mitchell (Charlie Wernham), who have returned to Abbey Grove as Drama and PE teachers to ‘educate’ a new school of misfits.

Nathan Bryon will lead a new team of breakthrough writers, including Laura Smyth, Leila Navabi, Priya Hall, Ciaran Bartlett, Rhys Taylor and Layton Williams.

The new series is the first since 2014 and will see Stephen and Mitchell, the fabulous diva and lovable geezer, attempt to get a hold of their new careers and rebellious students under the vigilant eye of new headteacher Ms Hoburn (Vicki Pepperdine).

Williams said: "Stephen’s quest for stardom didn’t quite go as planned, and he’s back at Abbey Grove 'teaching' drama! I’m so excited for audiences to experience the madness of Mr Carmichael, the new Class K! We're having so much fun on set, I think you're all in for a treat!"

Wernham said: "It feels amazing to be back on set and having so many talented new individuals alongside to work with. A lot has changed for Mitchell since we last checked in on him. He’s grown up, found a missus and has a kid on the way, but in some ways he’s still a loveable big kid himself. The script this series is laugh-out-loud funny, and I can’t wait for audiences to return to Abbey Grove to laugh along with us."

Meanwhile, HR is struggling to fire the former head Mr Fraser (Mathew Horne) who’s still pestering the school kitchen with his questionable ‘bants’.

The new classmates include glamorous gossip Usma (Asha Hassan), wannabe roadman Inchez (Anthony J Abraham), himbo Harrison (Bobby Johnson), clueless slacktivist Jinx (Laura Marcus), eccentric Warren (Ali Hadji-Heshmati) and lively hustler Blessing (Francesca Amewudah-Rivers).

Jack Whitehall will executive produce the series but he will not be starring after his character, the inept Alfie Wickers, quit his teaching post at the end of series three.

Whitehall will, however, return for a final farewell in a one-off Christmas special in 2022, as Alfie leads a careers day at Abbey Grove among other familiar faces.

Series four of Bad Education will air in early 2023 on BBC Three.