Does Mr Briggs or Mrs Kay have the more realistic expectations of the children in our day out?

Susan

Collin

Headmaster

Kids:

Carol

Rilley

Digga

Linda

Karen

Andrews

Ronson

Kevin

Jimmy

Maurice

Other adults:

Les (lollipop man)

The driver

Mrs Roberts

Waitress

John

Mac

Animal keepers

The play is set in the inner city of Liverpool in the 1970's they also go on trip to Conway castle .in Liverpool it was a desperate time in Liverpool because the factory were closing down there wasn't much money this left the people feeling confused it got a bad reputation because of the violence .people were losing there jobs left right an center. The trade with the common market became slow and the European common market became Britain's main trading partner. How ever Liverpool faced Ireland on the western sea board and this made the port unsuitable to trade with Europe. There was a decline in the trade at the port and also in ship building in Birkenhead .There new aim was to develop new industries however Liverpool had a very large pool of unskilled labour with a reputation for volatility. This reputation was a reflection of the industry in the area so business men stopped wanting to invest in the area.

These factories are very important when considering the questions because Mrs Kay understands the area where the children come from and she knows there only fit for factory work .where as Mr Briggs comes from a different back ground and he doesn't understand the children he only deals with the intelligent kids he thinks that if the kids worked harder they would be able to achieve more.

Mr Briggs is strickt he finds it hard to understand the children he is a good teacher but he has a different philosophy to Mrs Kay he dose care about the children though even though he doesn't show it 'How long have you been smoking, Andrews ?

Andrews: sir, I don't smoke sir. (Pause) since I was eight sir.

Briggs: and how old are you now?

Andrews: sir, thirteen sir.

Briggs: what do your parents say about it?

Andrews: sir, sir me mum says nott'n about it but when me dad comes home, sir, sir, he belts me.

Briggs: because you smoke?

Andrews: sir, no sir, because I wont give him one.

Briggs: your farther goes to sea then dose he?

Andrews: What no sir

Briggs: you said 'when he comes home', I thought you meant he was away a lot

Andrews: he is, sir, but he doesn't go to sea

Briggs: what dose he do?

Andrews: I dunno, sir, sir, he just comes round every now and the an' has a barney with me mam. Then he goes off again .I think he tries to get money off her but she wont give him it though .she hates him .we all hate him

Briggs: listen .why don't you promise yourself that you'll give up smoking .you must realise its bad for your health.

Andrews: Sir, I do, sir .I've got a terrible cough.

Briggs: Thirteen and you can't stop smoking

Andrews: no, sir

Briggs: well don't let me catch you again

Andrews: no sir I won't.

Pause as they each go into their respective thoughts .Briggs turns and looks at Mrs Kay .she looks at him and smiles warmly .He tries to respond but doesn't quite make it .

This is where Mr Briggs starts to learn more about the children and begins to understand the situation a bit more.

Mrs Kay is the teacher of the progress class she is kind and cares about the children she is in her forties and is a relaxed teacher she trusts the children and she isn't strickt a quote to show this would be 'Mrs Kay has taken off her shoes and has stockinged feet curled up under her, carol has her arm linked through Mrs Kay's and is snuggled up to her they look more like mother and daughter than teacher and pupil.

The children going on the trip are in the progress class the council expects the children in the progress classes in Liverpool are only fit for factory fodder but the problem is the factories are closing down.

The School expects that Mrs Kay will just keep them entertained and out of the way