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16 schools in England begin their journey for better Holocaust education
30 October 2018
Sixteen teachers from schools across England joined the UCL Centre for Holocaust Education's residential programme to lead their schools in becoming UCL Beacon Schools in Holocaust Education.
Every year, the UCL Centre for Holocaust Education engages with up to 20 secondary schools in England that are committed to enhancing teaching and learning about the Holocaust. Through the programme, the Beacon Schools become dynamic hubs serving a network of local schools and partner with the Centre to improve teaching standards, raise pupil achievement, and strengthen the provision of spiritual, moral, social and cultural development (SMSC).
On Friday 19 October 2018, lead teachers and their accompanying Senior Leadership Team (SLT) representatives met with UCL Centre colleagues at the Imperial War Museum for an orientation event, which included a visit to the museum’s permanent Holocaust exhibition, a workshop and introduction to the programme. They were joined by a representative of the Department for Education and from the Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government.
During the introduction, Beacon School alumni Laura Walton from Stratton Upper School, shared her story with the new cohort, outlining the impact the programme has had on her practice and on the whole school. She went onto explain the Centre's Quality Mark process.
Following the orientation evening, lead teachers remained in London to work intensively with Centre colleagues over a four day residential of workshops. They explored key research-informed pedagogy; listening and engaging with guest contributors Professor Nikolaus Wachsmann and Luke Holland to share best practice, and learning from the experiences of alumni Julie Haunstetter (Ursuline High School) and Tony Cole (CSS South, Essex).
The teachers develop a scheme of work specifically targeted to the needs of their pupils; making Holocaust education a priority in their school and being able to advocate to other schools for better Holocaust education.
Teachers have received a range of support from their constituency MPs, recognising the importance of Holocaust education, the commitment and dedication of teachers giving up their half term break for this important cause; including a visit from Alex Sobel MP learning about the Centre's work, meeting Lead Teacher Beth Buxton Collins from Prince Henry's Grammar School.
Partner Trevor Pears, Pears Foundation and Bridget McGing also lent teachers their support as they embarked on this programme - sitting in on a CPD session on British Responses to the Holocaust, as well as a workshop exploring textbooks and classroom materials - whilst also taking time to meet with teachers, listen and learn more about the challenges and opportunities faced in their wide-ranging school contexts.
Professor Stuart Foster, Director of the Centre for Holocaust Education, says:
“It has been a privilege to engage with an exceptional group of inspirational teachers who have devoted five days of their precious time to attend our research-informed Beacon School Residential in London. These highly committed teachers are working with Centre staff to address the challenges and issues in effectively teaching about the Holocaust. The quality of debate and discussion has been excellent, and everyone is thoughtfully considering the practical classroom implications of UCL research. Rest assured, our students’ education is safe in the hands of these outstanding educators!”