Skip to content
Oak National Academy
Oak National Academy
Teachers
Pupils
icon-background-square
New
New
Year 10
AQA

The significance of Windrush to Winsome Pinnock’s ‘Leave Taking’

I can explain the importance of the Windrush generation in relation to Scene Two of ‘Leave Taking’.

Download all resources
arrow-right
Share activities with pupils
arrow-right
icon-background-square
New
New
Year 10
AQA

The significance of Windrush to Winsome Pinnock’s ‘Leave Taking’

I can explain the importance of the Windrush generation in relation to Scene Two of ‘Leave Taking’.

Download all resources
arrow-right
Share activities with pupils
arrow-right
warning

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.
View new resources
arrow-right

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The Windrush Generation are those who arrived from Caribbean countries between 1948 and 1973
  2. The Windrush Generation took up jobs in sectors affected by the post World War Two labour shortage
  3. At the time, the Caribbean was part of the British Commonwealth so its citizens had the right to live and work in the UK
  4. In 2017, it was uncovered that many Windrush citizens were facing deportation under a discriminatory immigration system
  5. '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.


To help you plan your year 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...

Consider alongside Pinnock's words, whether another first hand account from someone of the Windrush Generation would help develop student understanding.
speech-bubble
Teacher tip
equipment-required

Equipment

You need access to a copy of Winsome Pinnock's 'Leave Taking' published by Nick Hern Books.

content-guidance

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
supervision-level

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

copyright

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

Skip lesson video

Loading...

Starter quiz

Download starter quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
Where is 'Leave Taking' set?
Jamaica
unknown, but a city in the UK
Brixton
it has two settings: London and Jamaica
Correct answer: London
Q2.
When was 'Leave Taking' first performed?
1967
1977
Correct answer: 1987
1997
Q3.
In Scene One of 'Leave Taking', what do we learn about Enid's family in Jamaica?
Her sister is ill.
Her mother has died.
Correct answer: Her mother is ill.
Correct answer: Enid is being asked to send money to them.
Her sister wants to send her children to Enid.
Q4.
The blurb and opening scene of 'Leave Taking' start to develop many of its central themes. What is a theme?
A character that is explored in a text in a number of different ways
Any plot point of a text
A synonym for foreshadowing
Correct answer: An idea that is explored in a text in a number of different ways
An idea that is explored in a text via the stage directions
Q5.
'Leave Taking' explores a number of different themes. Which themes are most clearly sign-posted in Scene One?
Correct answer: identity and belonging
Correct answer: inter-generational conflict
Correct answer: family
beauty
betrayal
Q6.
'Leave Taking' begins with a conflict. Who is it between and what is it about?
Enid and Viv fight about how much schoolwork she is doing.
Enid and Mai fight about the value of obeah.
Correct answer: Enid and Del fight about the value of obeah.
Correct answer: Enid and Del fight about Enid's excessive interest in her daughter's life.
Del and Viv fight with Mai about how much money Mai is charging.

Exit quiz

Download exit quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
At the beginning of Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', Enid cleans the house in preparation for a visitor. Who is the visitor?
Brod
Mai
her sister
Del
Correct answer: a Pastor
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?
Enid's family were wealthy, hence her being able to afford coming to England.
Enid and Brod are siblings.
Correct answer: Enid grew up not wearing shoes day to day.
Correct answer: Enid spent much of her time doing manual labour.
Enid was an obeah woman.
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?
Brod is devoted to England; Enid is not.
Correct answer: Brod sees the value in explaining Enid's past to her daughters; Enid does not.
Correct answer: Brod is angry at the British government; Enid is not.
Brod believes Enid should send money to her family; Enid does not.
Brod has only lived in England for a few years; Enid has lived in the UK longer.
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.
Correct Answer: Windrush, windrush, Windrush., windrush., 'Windrush'
Q5.
In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', Brod says to Enid, 'All my I think of meself as a British subject'.
Correct Answer: life, Life, life., Life., 'life'
Q6.
In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', Brod is distressed at what the British government has called him. He says they 'Call me a '.
Correct Answer: alien, Alien, alien., Alien., 'alien'