BBC3's drama Boarders shows students pouring champagne on a homeless man and urinating on a classmate's face – as creator insists it was based on real experiences

A new BBC Three drama set at a prestigious private school is set to shock viewers.

New show Boarders, which aired last night, follows the lives of five black scholarship students from London who attend St Gilbert's – depicted as a flashy school full of outdated traditions.

Jaheim, Leah, Omar, Femi and Toby are forced to endure microaggressions, stereotypes and bizarre initiation ceremonies typically associated with elite institutions as part of the school's PR drive to appear more progressive – after a group of students caused a scandal when they filmed themselves pouring champagne over a sleeping homeless man.

And the first episode alone is filled with wild scenes, including a mind-boggling initiation called “the running of the balls,” rumors of a secret society that worships a satirical cartoonist and large numbers of people asking the main characters if they sell drugs.

The program also doesn't shy away from biting dialogue to illustrate how archaic and cliché St. Gilbert's is.

On the way to school, charismatic class clown Toby, played by Sekou Diaby, jokingly says, “You haven't had the full private school experience if you don't come back with an STD and a coke habit.”

Elsewhere in the show's first few minutes, antagonist and bully Rupert (Harry Gilby) – who was behind the horrific video about homeless men – dismissively greets the group as “the scholarships.”

In the episode, the teens also clash with the principal over a racist painting by the school's founder, which he does not want to remove.

In another storyline, unwitting students ask the school's new black pupils if they sell drugs, asking for a 'gram' of 'creps' – which they mistake for narcotics, rather than London slang for shoes.

Femi – played by Aruna Jalloh – is also encouraged to join the 'Rah'scals' and take part in an initiation ceremony where he and other boys run naked through the halls.

Elsewhere, talented artist Omar (Myles Kamwendo) sifts through the junk in an attempt to join a secret society dedicated to a satire cartoonist.

Jaheim, played by Josh Tedeku, is also attacked by Rupert at one point, while another student films the bully kicking him and then urinating on his face.

In his review of the series, James Jackson says: The timeswrote: 'The Bullingdon Club has nothing to do with St Gilbert's, a place which, if not terribly toxic, is presented as a bit ridiculous with its arcane traditions… and contrived 'diversity days'.'

He also references other parts of the show – including a scene in episode two where Femi's housemate, in order to go to a party instead of studying, encourages him to buy an essay online – written by “techies on the other side of the world trying to feed their families. To bless'.

The show's writer, Daniel Lawrence Taylor – who is also behind the BAFTA-nominated Timewasters – told the story BBC that his depiction of St. Gilbert's was inspired by conversations he had with friends who had attended private schools.

“It was something you would imagine — the kind of microaggressions and incidents — but the biggest one was code switching and learning to survive in that environment,” he told the outlet.

“I think the show will have universal appeal because we all have to code in some way, shape or form, to survive in life.”

He also revealed that the series' story was partly shaped by his own time as a student at Royal Holloway, University of London, which was “predominantly white, predominantly middle class and it was like a real culture shock.”

Daniel – who also plays Gus, the teens' mentor – said they “never shy away” from tough moments in the show, particularly showing how places like St Gilbert's can be both academically rewarding and socially challenging.

Jodie Campbell, who plays Leah – the only woman in the fair group – shared Radio times that she thinks it is 'an important watch'.

'Showing the education system where institutionalized racism really exists, to show that for people who haven't experienced it in a way that isn't too 'in your face', it's not like it's preaching to you, but it's better is digestible,” she explained .

'But it's still very serious about the issues.

'I feel like Boarders is a work of art that can make people aware so that they can hopefully change these institutions in the future. Visibility is so important.'

Audiences are already impressed with the series and are already demanding more.

'Okay, I need more people to get on #Boarders on BBC3/iplayer, please and thank you. I need a second season, like next month.”

“#Boarders on BBC is pretty good,” another added. “Toby is my favorite, exceptional acting.”

A third wrote: 'Watched #Boarders on the BBC last night and it highlights the pretense of elite schools and breeders to be future leaders during a youth disconnected from real life and responsibility.'

Some viewers have even admitted that it is “triggering” to see a “deep-seated” portrayal of their own experiences in academic institutions.