School founded by Jewish refugee to teach negotiation amid ‘poor’ Brexit debate

A Scottish school founded by a Jewish headteacher who fled Nazi Germany is to teach pupils negotiation skills to counter the “poor example” of Brexit.

Gordonstoun School in Moray was founded in 1934 by the educationalist Dr Kurt Hahn, who fled Nazi Germany when it was no longer safe to remain in the country.

The school counts Prince Charles among its list of famous alumni as depicted in the second season of the hit TV show the Crown.

Its current headteacher Lisa Kerr the institution said it has been appalled by the “aggressive and confrontational tone” being adopted by world leaders.

Kerr said: “As a school founded by a Jew who fled Germany under persecution of the Nazis, and which has always welcomed students from diverse backgrounds, we strongly believe that it is possible for people with different perspectives to reach a common understanding.”

Pupils attending the school’s Learning to Listen symposium from Thursday to Saturday will be urged not to follow the example set by politicians during the Brexit debate and instead develop better listening and understanding skills in order to negotiate successfully.

Youngsters from across Britain have been invited to the free event, including children living in some of the most deprived areas of the country.

“We want to teach the leaders of tomorrow that empathy and understanding are the keys to find solutions with which everyone can feel settled; it is fine to disagree but there are better ways to express your opinion which will help all parties to reach a successful resolution,” Kerr said.