Viv's relationship with the education system in Winsome Pinnock's 'Leave Taking'
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.
Viv's relationship with the education system in Winsome Pinnock's 'Leave Taking'
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.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
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.
To help you plan your year 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 year 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.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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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.
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
Starter quiz
6 Questions
learning that happens in institutions
learning that occurs outside a formal setting
a focus on European culture, ignoring culture from the wider world
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