Activities

Before viewing

Split the class into two groups of jury members and discuss the following issues, making note of the general views amongst the group:

1. How serious do you think truanting is?
2. Who has truanted from school?
3. What was the outcome of the truanting, were you found out?
4. What is the main reason for teenagers truanting from school?
5. If someone was truanting because they were being bullied, how do you think the school should deal with them?
6. If someone was truanting for fun, how do you think the school should deal with them?
7. What is the best way to stop people truanting?

After viewing

As one group compare the views of the two juries before the show and then consider how your views may have been changed by Jason and Richard's case.

1. Discuss why you think Jason and Richard truant.
2. Discuss what course of action should be taken to encourage them to go back to school.
3. Discuss whether Jason and Richards' parents do enough to encourage them to go to school.
4. Should Jason and Richard worry more about their mother being prosecuted and potentially ending up in prison?
5. Do you think the defence case was strong, would you have defended them differently?
6. Do you think the prosecution case was strong, would you have prosecuted them differently?
7. Discuss how you think the boys' truancy will affect their prospects and future.
8. Discuss whether you think your school deals with truancy well.
9. Has watching Richard and Jason changed your views on truancy?
10. Discuss whether truancy sweeps are a good idea.
11. Discuss whether you have been caught out by a truancy sweep.
12. Discuss whether parents should ever encourage teenagers to truant from school.