Teaching and learning that happens in institutions and follows a particular curriculum.

The learning that occurs outside formal settings; a lifelong education in which you learn about yourself and the world.

An experience that has a profound (deep) and lasting influence on a person.

A condition that affects the skills used to read fluently and accurately.

Who you are; the qualities that make you. Understanding, finding and accepting your identity can be a life’s work.

Del and Viv’s experiences with education in ‘Leave Taking’

English

In 'Leave Taking: the power of education', pupils explored how a lack of Black representation in education and literature impacts sense of identity. In 'Leave Taking: an intersectional analysis', pupils focus on the specific experiences of Black Women in the play.

In 'Leave Taking: A Sense of Belonging', pupils explore the themes of immigration and identity in the play. In 'Leave Taking: The Importance of Literature', pupils explore how a lack of representation in literature and other educational materials negatively impacts on sense of self.

In this unit, pupils do a deep dive into the role of education in 'Leave Taking'. They first look at how education is presented, and how Viv and Del experience it differently. They then think about what Pinnock might be communicating about education, before preparing and writing an essay about it.

Modern text: first deep dive

Expressions that are regarded as coarse or otherwise unacceptable, including swear words and rude words.

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of sexual or domestic abuse or violence, including  threats of or the aftermath of.

Depiction or discussion of sexual violence

She wants to spend time with Del and the baby.

She needs to retake her A Levels because she skipped an exam.

She wants to explore her cultural identity by visiting the West Indies.

She wants to explore the world of work, like Del has.

In 'Leave Taking', why is the character of Viv keen to take a gap year?

the learning that occurs outside formal settings

an experience that has a profound and lasting influence

Match these keywords which help explore 'Leave Taking' to their definitions.

A {{ }} experience is one that has a deep and lasting influence on a person.

She urges Del to return to formal education.

She gives Del money so that she can form a life for herself without Enid.

She develops Del's interest and skills in obeah.

She tells Del about her mother's experience of domestic abuse.

She helps her understand an aspect of her cultural identity.

In 'Leave Taking', in what ways might we say Mai's influence on Del is formative?

She was relying on Viv to support by getting a good job after her exams.

She wants Viv to go to university so she can move back in with Enid.

She understands the power of education to alter your life.

She knows Viv will do well in the exams because she has done an obeah reading.

She thinks Viv has been short-sighted about how this will impact her life.

In Scene Five of 'Leave Taking', why is Del is angry with Viv for skipping one of her A Level exams?

In Scene Five of 'Leave Taking', Viv expresses frustration with her school curriculum. She says, "no matter how hard I {{ }} for myself in them books, I'm never there."

She moves in with Brod after Enid throws them both out.

She goes on a gap year despite Enid's protestations.

She moves in with Del to support with the baby.

At the end of 'Leave Taking', what happens to the character of Viv? 

She uses the money Viv gives her to start a new life.

At the end of 'Leave Taking', what happens to the character of Del?

Del and Viv attend an obeah reading with Enid.

Del leaves the family home after a fight with Enid.

Enid gives Viv money for university; Viv isn't excited by university.

Del is angry with Viv for skipping an A Level exam.

Del learns that her father used to abuse her mother.

Del becomes an obeah woman; Viv goes to university.

Each of these scenes from 'Leave Taking' includes either Del or Viv, or both. Match the scenes to their plot points.

In Scene Four of 'Leave Taking', Viv expresses frustration that she spends "my life bent over books that have nothing to do with ..."

In Scene Five of 'Leave Taking', Mai reads Del's palm and gives an insight into her experiences with formal education. Mai says, "The teachers say you {{ }}, so you give up."

In Scene Five of 'Leave Taking', Mai reads Del's palm and gives an insight into her experiences with formal education. Mai says, "You have a {{ }} for books."

Content guidance

Contains strong language

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of sexual violence

Adult supervision required

Introduction

What will you need for this lesson?

Are you ready to learn?

Equipment

Content guidance

Supervision

Worksheet