Eleven Scottish schools recognised for good practice in Holocaust education

Eleven schools across Scotland have been recognised for their good practice in Holocaust education at an event at the Scottish Parliament hosted by Jackie Baillie MSP and Jackson Carlaw MSP.

The programme is delivered by University of the West of Scotland (UWS) as part of the Vision Schools Scotland Holocaust education initiative, launched in 2017 in partnership with the Holocaust Educational Trust.

A Vision School is one committed to the view that learning about the Holocaust is a vital part of young people’s education. To receive the award, schools must demonstrate their existing commitment to the importance of Holocaust education and to developing teacher knowledge to ensure continued expertise in the subject matter.

Bishopbriggs Academy, Calderwood Lodge Primary and St Columba’s High school have also become the first schools to renew their Vision Schools Scotland status, highlighting their commitment to good practice in teaching and learning about the Holocaust.

Brannock High school, Eastwood High school, Johnstone High school, Kirkcaldy High school, Leith Academy, McLaren High school, Marr College, and St Ninian’s High school (East Renfrewshire) have been awarded level one status, which is valid for three years.

Jackie Baillie MSP said: “I would like to pass on my warmest congratulations to all the new Vision Schools for their outstanding work in Holocaust education. Vision Schools Scotland is a brilliant initiative that educates future generations about the horrors of the Holocaust in order to ensure that it never happens again. I would encourage all schools to sign up to the programme to get involved in this important work.”

Jackson Carlaw MSP said: “Vision Schools Scotland is a wonderful education initiative and it has enriched the knowledge of young people across the nation on why we must never forget the lessons of the Holocaust. At this year’s event, it is fantastic that there was a short film presentation by my constituent, Henry Wuga. Both Henry and his late wife, Ingrid, arrived in the UK on the Kindertransport in the 1930’s and their contributions to Holocaust education in this country are simply irreplaceable.”

Guest speakers included the Cabinet Secretary for education and skills, Shirley-Anne Somerville, and  journalist and author, Chitra Ramaswamy, whose book  ‘Homelands- the History of a Friendship‘ tells of the author’s friendship with Holocaust survivor, 97 year-old Henry Wuga MBE.

Henry Wuga said: “I arrived at Glasgow Central Station on 5 May 1939 by Kindertransport, fleeing persecution by the Nazis in Germany. As Jews, we were driven out and lost everything. I was just 15 years of age and found a great welcome here in Glasgow. To arrive as a refugee in a new country, different languages and customs are difficult. It is important to welcome a refugee, put your hand out and be friendly. People were welcoming, no one called me a foreigner or German or Jew. I settled in quickly and was happy to be safe in Scotland.”

Chitra Ramaswamy said: “During such turbulent times for the nation, the country, and the world, it is more important than ever to keep the past alive and honour the stories of refugees and Holocaust survivors. Working on this book for many years has been a lesson that the work of remembrance never ends, and it is our collective responsibility to engage in that work together.”

Shirley-Anne Somerville, distributed the awards and said: “Teaching children and young people about the Holocaust means the horrors of the past will, rightly, never be forgotten.”

Professor James Miller, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of UWS, said: “The work led by Vision Schools Scotland in Holocaust education with schools across the country is outstanding. On behalf of the UWS community I congratulate everyone involved in this programme.”

There are now 30 Vision Schools and a network extending to more than 55 schools.