The ten year anniversary of the Beacon School programme was marked on 18 January 2022 with an evening of celebration at the Imperial War Museum London.
Centre staff and senior leaders from the IOE, UCL’s Faculty of Education and Society welcomed Beacon School alumni from across the country and over 100 distinguished guests, including the Secretary of State for Education, The Rt Hon Gillian Keegan MP, Holocaust survivor Mala Tribich MBE, and the UCL Provost and President Dr Michael Spence.
Opening the event, Mala explained her long-standing support for the Centre and applauded the efforts of teachers who had participated in the programme. She said: “Delighted to give tribute to a room of people devoted to excellence in Holocaust education. I have been into schools & seen what students see, what they get from you, how much it means to them – I really believe education is our salvation, it gives this survivor peace of mind to know this education is going to go on “
Guests then heard more about the scale and scope of the programme, including how over 200 schools have participated since its inception in 2012, more than 2,000 schools have been impacted by the programme through Beacon networks, and how over 1.6 million students have benefited year on year from their teachers’ professional development. These achievements were given colour in a short film (watch below) highlighting the work undertaken by Sam Ineson and his colleagues at Manchester Enterprise Academy, and through a panel discussion involving Beacon alumni Jaya Carrier and Sara Sinaguglia in conversation with Ed Dorrell, Director at Public First and former Deputy Editor of the TES.
In his remarks at the event Executive Director of the Centre, Professor Stuart Foster, lauded the achievements of the Beacon Schools and their teachers and thanked the long-standing support of the Department for Education and Pears Foundation. Stuart also underscored the fact that challenges very much remain in schools across the country and there is still more work for the Centre to do. Presenting the Centre’s vision and strategic aims for meeting this need, Stuart also highlighted the success of the Centre’s pilot work with leading Multi Academy Trusts, Outwood Grange and Star Academies.
This partnership was also welcomed by the Secretary of State, Gillian Keegan, who began with poignant words marking the passing of Zigi Shipper BEM, today aged 93. Gillian said she “Can think of few more important subjects than the how and why of the Holocaust for young people…. remarkable what everyone has achieved, vital at present….Robert Halfon has recently been speaking about the rise in antisemitism & the threat it poses. Quoting Anne Frank, Gillian Keegan reflected how “a single candle can defy the darkness – we owe to the memory to keep doing this work & promoting tolerance and compassion”
In closing the event, the UCL President and Provost Michael Spence applauded the work of the Centre and the Beacon School Lead Teachers. He also encouraged guests to take heed of the reality that there is ‘more to do’ and to join the Centre in working to address this challenge.
Applications for the next Beacon School year (2023-2024) will open in the early Spring. For further information on the programme or on the work of the UCL Centre for Holocaust Education please contact holocaust@ucl.ac.uk.
Images: Alejandro Lopez
