The significance of Windrush to Winsome Pinnock’s ‘Leave Taking’
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the importance of the Windrush generation in relation to Scene Two of ‘Leave Taking’.
Key learning points
- The Windrush Generation are those who arrived from Caribbean countries between 1948 and 1973
- The Windrush Generation took up jobs in sectors affected by the post World War Two labour shortage
- At the time, the Caribbean was part of the British Commonwealth so its citizens had the right to live and work in the UK
- In 2017, it was uncovered that many Windrush citizens were facing deportation under a discriminatory immigration system
- 'Leave Taking' was written before the Windrush scandal but remains topical, especially through the character of Brod
Keywords
Colonisation - When a country establishes control over another country, exploiting it for economic gain.
The Commonwealth - Established 1926 as the British Empire declined, this is an international association of 56 independent countries many of which used to be British colonies.
Migrate - When you relocate from one country to another.
Indoctrinate - When you make people believe something. A less formal synonym is to brainwash.
Common misconception
The Windrush generation were illegal migrants.
Those coming from the British Commonwealth were considered citizens.
Teacher tip
Consider alongside Pinnock's words, whether another first hand account from someone of the Windrush Generation would help develop student understanding.
Equipment
You need access to a copy of Winsome Pinnock's 'Leave Taking' published by Nick Hern Books.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Where is 'Leave Taking' set?
Q2.When was 'Leave Taking' first performed?
Q3.In Scene One of 'Leave Taking', what do we learn about Enid's family in Jamaica?
Q4.The blurb and opening scene of 'Leave Taking' start to develop many of its central themes. What is a theme?
Q5.'Leave Taking' explores a number of different themes. Which themes are most clearly sign-posted in Scene One?
Q6.'Leave Taking' begins with a conflict. Who is it between and what is it about?
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.At the beginning of Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', Enid cleans the house in preparation for a visitor. Who is the visitor?
Q2.In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', Brod reveals some details about what Enid's life was like in Jamaica before she moved to England. What do we learn?
Q3.The characters of Brod and Enid in 'Leave Taking' have some similarities, but they are also set up as contrasts to each other. In what ways do they contrast?
Q4.In 2017, it was revealed that the government was attempting to deport some citizens who had legally migrated to Britain in the 1940s-70s. This was known as the scandal.
Q5.In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', Brod is distressed at what the British government has called him. What word beginning with 'a' do the government use?
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: The significance of Windrush to Winsome Pinnock’s ‘Leave Taking’, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: The significance of Windrush to Winsome Pinnock’s ‘Leave Taking’, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 English lessons from the Leave Taking: a sense of belonging unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.