11 schools across Scotland have been recognised for their inspiring work in Holocaust education at an event at Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh, on Wednesday 31 January 2024.

 The achievements of Campbeltown Grammar, Kyle Academy, Lenzie Academy, Prestwick Academy and Whitehill Secondary, Castlemilk High School, Dumfries High School, St Bride’s and St Andrew’s High School, St Mungo’s High School, Trinity High School, and Woodfarm High School, have all been recognised.

The Vision School initiative recognises schools that are 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 this subject matter. 

The programme embeds responsible citizenship at its core, a key principle of Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence, as it encourages effective and sustained school-based Holocaust Education. 

 

The celebratory event with guest speakers was hosted by Jackie Baillie MSP, and Jackson Carlaw MSP

Pupils from schools in Vision Schools Programme on stage at the awards ceremony
"Teaching children and young people about the Holocaust helps ensure the horrors of the past will never be forgotten. The schools achieving these awards are ensuring that pupils are being supported to be compassionate, responsible citizens, who contribute to the tolerant and inclusive Scotland we all want to be part of."
Jenny Gilruth MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills

Speaking at the event and giving out the awards Jenny Gilruth MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, said: “I want to personally congratulate the schools recognised this year. They have clearly demonstrated their commitment to Holocaust education and to sharing good practice across Scotland. I am sure those involved have obtained insights which they will value for years to come.”

Event co-host, Jackie Baillie MSP, added: “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. The programme has gone from strength to strength over the years and plays an important role in school-based Holocaust education.

“I would encourage all schools to sign up to the programme to get involved in this important work.”

Event co-host, 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."

Guest speakers at the event included author Maria Chamberlain who spoke about her parents, Artur and Jadwiga, who were both Jewish Holocaust survivors from Poland.

Countdown television presenter Rachel Riley MBE sent a video message and spoke about anti-Semitism on our streets in the UK today. She said: “I want to personally thank you all for the dedicated and important work you’ve been doing in support of Holocaust Education, with the universal aim of breeding tolerance, empathy and humanity.”

 

“It was a privilege to be invited to the Vision Schools Scotland Schools awards and extend UWS’s ongoing support to the delivery of Holocaust Education in Schools.”
Dr Lucy Meredith, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, UWS

Dr Paula Cowan, Director of Vision Schools Scotland and Reader in Education at UWS School of Education and Social Sciences said: “Congratulations to our six new Vision Schools, and to our five schools that have renewed their Vision Schools Scotland status. We are so delighted that schools across Scotland are not only continuing to apply to our programme but that existing Vision Schools are renewing their commitment.   

“Our network now includes 60 schools, with 30 of these being accredited Vision Schools. Vision Schools Scotland is committed to presenting and facilitating CPD for teachers across Scotland to support their professional growth in teaching and learning about the Holocaust. This is so important in 2024 with the surge of global anti-Semitism and the misuse of language associated with the Holocaust that undermines the crimes and tragedy of this historical event.

“The continued support we receive from the Scottish Government, the University of the West of Scotland, MSPs Jackie Baillie and Jackson Carlaw has contributed to our success.  We are extremely appreciative of their ongoing commitment to Vision Schools Scotland.”

For more information on the Vision Schools Scotland Programme, and how to access the recorded awards event, visit the Vision Schools Scotland website.