Refugee Boy: Knowledge Organiser

A comprehensive 33-page GCSE Knowledge Organiser for Lemn Sissay’s stage adaptation of Refugee Boy, designed to help students develop a strong understanding of the play, its characters, context and key themes.

The knowledge organiser includes:

Benjamin Zephaniah – key information about his life, experiences and motivations as the original author.
Lemn Sissay – information about his life, experiences and connection to the play.
Authorial motivations – why the writers explore particular issues and ideas.
The significance of the title Refugee Boy.
The conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea and its impact on Alem and his family.
Immigration and refugees – key contextual information.
Perceptions of the UK and how these are presented in the play.
Foster care and the experiences of children in care.
Character Knowledge

Each key character is explored through images and clear bullet-point information, including:

Alem
Mr Kelo
Mrs Kelo
Mustapha
Sweeney
Mr and Mrs Fitzgerald
Ruth

The organiser also includes a brief description of each scene, helping students understand the development of the plot and characters across the play.

Key Themes

Dedicated sections explore the play’s major themes:

Identity
Belonging
Hope
Violence
Prejudice

The resource is designed as a clear, accessible revision tool for GCSE students, giving them essential knowledge and context that they can use when analysing Refugee Boy and preparing for examinations.