Holocaust Education Provision

Selby High School goes firmly against worrying National trends in its provision of excellent Holocaust Education

The BBC announced this week that Select Committee findings had found that "Teaching young people about the Holocaust and its legacy continues to be a vital part of their education.” "However, too few teachers, particularly history teachers, are being trained to teach the Holocaust”.  While the report concluded that the government needed to act, here at Selby High School we are pleased to report that the History Department has been proactive in ensuring as a school we go against these negative findings.

Following a successful application process, Selby High School became one of 20 new Holocaust Beacon Schools in September 2014 overseen by the Centre for Holocaust Education at University College London. The History Department saw the Beacon School Project as an opportunity to open up a wealth of opportunities for both staff and students.  Through training by world renowned experts, both in the UK and in Poland, the Department has developed a much greater knowledge of the Holocaust and ways of teaching it.  The programme has moved the students at Selby High School beyond simply stating facts about the  Holocaust to attributing a much more profound meaning to its significance and legacy.  Students will again be offered a variety of ways this academic year, both in lessons and extra-curricular opportunities to access and explore the impact of the Holocaust, as well as being challenged to think much more deeply about how this event was allowed to happen.

To read the whole BBC article please go to: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-35384417