Set in the 1940s, the programme was shown posthumously following the death of its lead actor Arthur Lowe, who died on 15 April 1982.

is set in the 1940s at Burgrove, a boys' preparatory school in Wilminister, in rural England.

He is very fond of the school but inefficient at disciplining his pupils who take advantage of his kind but haphazard nature.

The headmaster, the Rev Saunders, who is nicknamed 'Squid' by the boys, is a snob and the Matron is Wentworth's constant enemy.

Arthur Lowe had also read out selections from the books in the daily literacy slot of Woman's Hour.

was read out by Harry Andrews, who played the headmaster, at Arthur Lowe's memorial service.