A Level History students from Bridgwater & Taunton College (BTC) are taking part in a powerful educational journey as a part of the prestigious ‘Lessons from Auschwitz Project’, run by the Holocaust Educational Trust (HET).
Accompanied by their History teacher, the two students took part in a series of educational seminars, culminating in a visit to the former Nazi concentration and extermination camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau, in Poland.
The Lessons from Auschwitz Project is designed to provide students with a profound understanding of the Holocaust and its enduring significance.
The students’ participation started with an orientation seminar in Exeter. This initial seminar laid the groundwork for the experience, exploring pre-war Jewish life and preparing the participants for the emotional and intellectual weight of visiting such a historically significant site.
The seminar included a moving testimony from Holocaust survivor Janine Webber BEM, providing a deeply personal connection to the horrifying events of the past.
The project continued with a one-day visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau, where the students and their teacher toured the site and museum exhibits, guided by both a local expert and trained educator from the HET.
This experience allowed them to witness first-hand the scale of the atrocities committed during the Holocaust.
Following their return, the students and teacher participated in a follow-up seminar which provided a crucial opportunity to reflect on the visit, discuss the contemporary relevance of the Holocaust, and begin planning their ‘Next Steps’ project.
The ‘Next Steps’ project challenges the students to become Ambassadors for the HET. This task involves designing and implementing a project of their own choosing, sharing their learning and experiences with the wider college community and beyond. This ensures that their lessons learned are not confined to the participants, but are extending to educate and inspire others.
Liz Nuttall, Head of A Levels, said,
This is an incredibly valuable opportunity for our students to engage with history in a deeply personal and meaningful way. Witnessing the site of Auschwitz-Birkenau will leave a lasting impressive and empower them to become advocates for tolerance, understanding, and empathy.
BTC is committed to providing students with enriching educational experiences that promote critical thinking and a commitment to social justice – the Lessons from Auschwitz Project aligns perfectly with these values.
For more information on A Levels and BTC’s multitude of educational offerings, please visit www.btc.ac.uk or get in touch with the Information & Advice team by emailing info@btc.ac.uk.
