Thanks Marc, but the scene we use in the trailer isn't what we're opening the show with. It's actually the fourth - and the previous three are live. By then the characters and situation should be established. Likewise, the references within the scene should be understood. But I certainly agree that, if this opened the show, it would be very confusing.
I understand your concerns about the 'bullying character' but we have two other characters who evoke empathy and, hopefully, this should balance out. It should hopefully be funny in context. If the character doesn't work, we'll have to rethink and make him more sympathetic.
And I think, because it's a 'youth' sitcom, it will be compared with the Inbetweeners, but I think it's very different.