Bad Education follows the story of Alfie Wickers (Whitehall), a newly graduated High School history teacher at Abbey Grove School in Hertfordshire. Alfie is determined to impress his crush, Rosie Gulliver (Solemani), by trying to appear "cool" through various antics.
Despite facing open disrespect and disgust from his class, particularly from the "teacher's pet" Joe, Alfie enlists their help in his endeavors. He coaches the school football team, organizes a weapons amnesty, and fields a candidate for the school elections.
Throughout the series, Alfie also has to navigate the eccentricities of his headmaster, Shaquille "Simon" Fraser (Horne), and meet the expectations of his deputy headmistress, Isobel Pickwell (Gomez).