At Inscape House School, our post-16 students are given extraordinary opportunities to learn history in deeply personal ways. Recently, one of our students, Kyra, joined her teacher, Heather, on the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Lessons from Auschwitz Project.
The project offers students the chance to explore the Holocaust through seminars, survivor testimonies, and a one-day visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland. Heather Rogers, Specialist Humanities Teacher and Examinations Officer at Inscape House School, said: “It was great to meet other students from such a variety of backgrounds… Morris, our educator, went the extra mile to make sure we could access the learning fully.”
The seminars and survivor testimonies were profoundly moving. “Handling images of families and communities and being able to follow their story was a fitting way to make comparisons in our own lives and make those personal connections,” Heather reflected.
The day trip to Poland was life-changing – from Manchester to Krakow, then on to Auschwitz, the group experienced history first-hand. Guided by expert commentary through headsets, Heather described the visit as “so emotional… many of us were moved to tears. It is hard to put into words and feel like you are doing this experience justice.”
The visit concluded at Birkenau with a service of remembrance at the end of the train tracks. Students took part in readings and lit memorial candles. Kyra was chosen to light a candle and take part in the readings. Heather proudly said, “I was so proud of her for having the grace and the confidence to push herself out of her comfort zone.”
It was a long day – 22,000 steps, but one that left an indelible mark. Heather reflected:
“As survivors decline in number, it is essential that we work together to make sure this horrific part of history is captured and remembered in a way that is appropriate and impactful.”
Through this project, Kyra and her peers not only learned about the Holocaust but also demonstrated courage, empathy, and leadership, ensuring that the lessons of the past continue to resonate for the future.
