Viv's relationship with the education system in Winsome Pinnock's 'Leave Taking'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe Viv’s character arc in ‘Leave Taking’, with a specific focus on the importance of Scene Two in terms of Viv’s rejection of the education system.
Key learning points
- Viv’s relationship with the formal education system changes over the course of the play.
- Arguably, Brod acts as a catalyst for Viv’s questioning of what she is being taught in school.
- Viv quotes from Shakespeare and Rupert Brooke in Scene Two.
- Arguably, through Viv’s quotations, Pinnock is asking us to consider the Eurocentric nature of Viv’s schooling.
- Viv’s studying Black Studies at uni could suggest she will find the next step of her formal education more fulfilling.
Keywords
Eurocentric - when there is a focus on European culture or history, ignoring or excluding cultures and history from the wider world
Informal education - the learning that occurs outside formal settings; a lifelong education in which you learn about yourself and the world
Formal education - teaching and learning that happens in institutions and follows a particular curriculum
Rupert Brooke - an English poet (1887-1915) remembered particularly for his poetry about World War One
Character arc - the way in which a character changes, transforms or develops over the course of a text
Common misconception
Viv irrevocably rejects the formal education system.
Viv questions what she is learning and why, but stays within formal education, perhaps because of her chosen university course which may reflect her experiences and identity in a way that her schooling hasn't.
Teacher tip
Viv only quotes from a section of Rupert Brooke's 'The Soldier'. Consider if you, or your class, would benefit from reading the whole poem.
Equipment
You need access to a copy of Winsome Pinnock's 'Leave Taking'.
Content guidance
Contains strong language
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
5 Questions
Q1.In 'Leave Taking', which character suggests that Viv should question what she is being taught at school?
Q2.Match these key words to their definitions. Each word helps us understand Pinnock's exploration of education in 'Leave Taking'.
learning that happens in institutions
learning that occurs outside a formal setting
a focus on European culture, ignoring culture from the wider world
Q3.How does Scene Two of 'Leave Taking' begin?
Q4.Viv appears in five scenes of 'Leave Taking'. Match her scenes to their plot points.
is taken to an obeah reading; wants to ask about her exam results
studies whilst Enid cleans the house
expresses that she wants to take a gap year
Enid gives her money for university
skips one of her A Level exams
Q5.Why does Viv skip one of her A Level exams in Scene Five of 'Leave Taking'?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', which two writers does Viv quote?
Q2.A is the term used to define how a character changes, transforms or develops over the course of a text.
Q3.In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', Viv quotes from 'Macbeth', a Shakespeare play. She says "Out, out damned spot." Why does she say this?
Q4.In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', Enid quotes from Rupert Brooke's poem, 'The Soldier'. Why does Pinnock choose this poem in particular?
Q5.In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', Viv quotes from Shakespeare. Enid repeats the quotation as she cleans the floor and Viv says that it is not...
Q6.In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', Viv quotes from a poem of Rupert Brooke. How does Enid respond to Viv's recitation of this poem?
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Viv's relationship with the education system in Winsome Pinnock's 'Leave Taking', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Viv's relationship with the education system in 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: the power of education unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.