An Inspector Calls

Overview

Plot Summary

Without knowing why, the teachers of Pepperton Primary School are summoned to an emergency staff meeting! Could it be to discuss the recent Year 2 trip to a chocolate factory, when all ‘freebies’ were eaten on the bus home, leading to travel-sickness on a scale that has never been witnessed before? No, it’s worse than that! Headteacher, Mrs Wright, delivers the news that, although this is the last week of the summer term and lots of end-of-year activities have been planned, the school is to receive a visit from the inspectors….tomorrow! (song – ‘They’re On Their Way’)
The first job is to put the old hall display back up on the bare wall. With the adults busy checking that paperwork is up-to-date, this job is given to a group of children. As they sift through the tatty, torn and smudged pictures and pieces of writing that once made up a display entitled ‘The Ancient Greeks’, the children wonder how they can re-use it all to make something presentable. And does it matter that the ‘R’ is missing from the selection of letters forming the title? (song – ‘Deck The Hall’)
The next day, in front of a haphazard display now entitled ‘The Ancient Geeks’, the whole school gathers in the hall. With the children more than a little fidgety and talkative, Mrs Wright tries to bring some calm to the room. However, at the peak of the fidgeting and talking, the three inspectors enter! When all are finally silent, lead inspector, Mr Sourbottom, introduces himself and his two colleagues, Miss Schneider and Mr Measley. They give shallow assurances that their visit is ‘nothing to worry about’ (song – ‘Inspectors’ Song’) then they exit to begin their inspection. Though anxious, everyone in school is determined that nothing more will go wrong over the next few days and that the inspectors will see their school at its best!
Of course, more things do go wrong! First off, in an effort to impress the inspectors with her teaching, Mrs Barker decides to ‘recycle’ a successful literacy lesson from last term! She hopes her class will answer her questions with confidence and produce work of a high standard, whilst at the same time not letting on to the inspectors that this is stuff they have already done before and know inside out! Needless to say, it doesn’t quite go to plan! (song – ‘In One Ear, Out The Other’)
The annual staff versus children rounders match, usually a good-natured event, also proves to be the cause of some concern for the inspectors. (song – ‘Rounders’) They smell something fishy when it appears that one member of staff seems to be doing all he can to ensure his team loses the game! Then there’s the summer fete; the culmination of tireless efforts by the PTA to bring the school community together! Not even large quantities of candy floss can distract the inspectors from the fact that there seems to be quite a long queue at the first aid tent! (song – ‘Splat The Rat’)
As their visit draws to an end, in the light of these ‘incidents’ it seems the inspectors’ impression of Pepperton Primary School might not be a positive one. However, the discovery of a mysterious envelope and its contents soon convinces Mr Sourbottom and his team that there are much more important things on which to judge a school, things that Pepperton has in abundance! (song – ‘This Special Place’)
At the end-of-term disco, with all staff and children present, the inspectors decide to announce their findings and make their thoughts known. Of course, they’re full of praise and, as they ‘loosen up’ and join in the dancing, the school gives itself a well-deserved pat on the back for all it has achieved! (song – ‘Celebrate’)