Our Day Out

The two main conflicting Characters of the play are Mrs Kay a motherly figure to the children and Mr Briggs a strict negative teacher who has no idea about these children. Mr Briggs has only taught normal classes and assumes these kids are worthless. Mr Briggs and Mrs Kay who are bother very different in their attitude towards education and their relationship with pupils.

Mrs Kay teaches the lower ability children "the Progress class" who have difficulty with reading and writing. She is a caring character as she shouts at Morrice when he runs in front of the road to catch his football. Mrs Kay isn't gullible because when Digga and Reilly (Ex progress class members) ask to go on the trip Mrs Kay tell them to get a note and says "I wasn't born yesterday" Mrs Kay is very motherly as she is mostly seen putting her arm round Carol. Mrs Kay wants the children to have fun "Everybody listen as an extra bonus we've decided to go to the Zoo. She is also prepared to lie for them when she lies to the bus driver about the life of the children. Mrs Kay is can stick up for herself and the children as she stands up to Mr Briggs and says she's going to the beach. Which also shows she not scared of Mr Briggs. Mrs Kay is always up for a laugh and is fun, she plays with the children and dunks Kevin's head in the water when he's been cheeky. When they walk out of the sea she gets a towel and dries his face which shows she also caring. Mrs Kay is genuinely concerned when Carol goes missing. And when Carol is fount she cuddles her. At the end of the play Mrs Kay suggests that the teacher should go for a drink she trying to include Mr Briggs since he's changed his attitude.

The bad thing about Mrs Kay is that she can't control the class as much as Mr Briggs can. She is also unprofessional, as she doesn't sort out safety concerns and goes on extra trips. She also lies to Carol when Carols feeling upset "Everything's all right"

Mr Briggs doesn't teach lower Exam classes such as the Progress Class. Mr Briggs negative attitude towards the progress class may have helped if the school had ensured that the teachers taught a variety of higher, middle and lower ability classes. He cares for the reputation of the school and is organised. When he gets on the coach he reads out a list of rules that show this. Mr Briggs learns a valuable lesson about him self when Carol threatens to jump off the cliff edge and is shocked what the other kids think of him. Carol brings out the human caring nature in Mr Briggs he puts his arm round Carol. He also takes the children to the fair and he himself enjoys it. He even wins Carol a Fish. Carols goldfish in the bag is like herself, she is stuck in the inner city of Liverpool and it is almost impossible for her to get out of her lifestyle.

The bad things about Mr Briggs are he talks behind Mrs Kay's back to the headmaster, which is unprofessional. He also bitches about her behind her back "mother hen". He also does this to Colin as well its like he's trying to get him on his side. Mr Briggs says very negative comments about Mrs Kay " I can't really see why she has to set herself up as the great champion on non-academics. He also typically stereotypes the children e.g. bad behaved, stupid and bad attitude. Sarcastically Mr Briggs says " You've got some real bright sparks here Mrs Kay"

Mrs Briggs also likes to show authority when he leans in close to Linda since she's wearing none uniform even though Mrs Kay hasn't said anything "Now you listen here young lady" her approaches the situation wrongly. The childrens reaction to Mr Briggs getting on the coach show that he is disliked. It says he was a blue cloud on the horizon.

Out of the two main teachers I would choice Mrs Kay. I would choice her because she understands these children and her motherly nature is the key to part of her teaching. Also she wants to give these children the most as she takes them to extra places on the trip. I think that Mrs Kay and Mr Briggs would make a good combination for a good teacher. Mr Briggs had the power to control the class but he doesn't have the respect or deeper understanding like Mrs Kay.

Since Willy Russell went through an experience similar to this that inspired him to write this story. I think he wanted to show us how human nature can get the best of all of us and that there is a large gap between pupils and teachers. But Mrs Kay shortens that gap.