Today, our Religious Studies department had the privilege of welcoming a team from the Holocaust Educational Trust to deliver their powerful Testimony 360 programme. Sixty of our Year 9 students engaged in an unforgettable learning experience that brought them face-to-face virtually with one of the darkest periods in human history, through the lens of faith, morality, and the enduring power of testimony.

Using cutting-edge virtual reality technology, students explored key Holocaust sites, including Auschwitz concentration camp and the moving Holocaust memorial along the River Danube in Hungary. The immersive nature of the tour encouraged students to reflect deeply on the moral questions raised by the Holocaust on human dignity, justice, the consequences of prejudice, and the importance of remembrance.

Perhaps the most impactful part of the experience was the opportunity to interact virtually with Holocaust survivor Susan Pollack. Susan, who endured unimaginable suffering during World War II, has recorded thousands of answers in a green screen studio, allowing students to ask her questions directly and hear her responses in real time. Through this technology, our students were able to ask about her experiences of childhood, persecution, life in the camps, and the horrific death marches. They also explored her personal reflections, asking questions such as which football team she supports and what she appreciates most about life in the UK.

For Religious Studies, this experience offered rich opportunities for spiritual and ethical reflection. It challenged students to consider the importance of memory and testimony in combating hatred and promoting compassion. Hearing Susan’s story helped them understand not only the horrors of the past but also the strength of the human spirit and the need to uphold values of love, tolerance, and justice in our world today.

We are incredibly grateful to the Holocaust Educational Trust for their work and dedication. Their mission to keep the memory of the Holocaust alive is a vital one, and this experience will stay with our students for a long time both intellectually and spiritually.