We will be accepting expressions of interest for the 2020/21 Beacon School programme soon.
Given the unprecedented challenges we all face due to COVID-19, we are extending the ‘Expressions of Interest’ period to join our 2020-21 Beacon School cohort, to at least the end of June.
We recognise schools, teachers amd SLT are currently wrestling shifting priorities, daily demands, both at school and with concerns for families-this EoI extension simply allows colleagues to reach out to us, but does not commit a school to later full application.
The Centre will be constantly reviewing, during this most difficult and fast-changing period, what the Beacon School 2020-21 programme may/will look like, and will update teachers and schools regularly. In the meantime, we look forward to receiving your non-binding EoI.
We hope secondary teachers, from a range of subject disciplines and school settings, will consider during this most difficult time, the opportunity Beacon School 2020-21 brings. Do complete an EoI, irrespective of whether your school later applies.
Full details
Every year, the UCL Centre for Holocaust Education looks to recruit up to 15 secondary schools in England committed to enhancing teaching and learning about the Holocaust. UCL Beacon Schools in Holocaust Education will become dynamic hubs serving a network of local schools and will partner with the Centre to improve teaching standards, raise pupil achievement, and strengthen SMSC provision.
A Lead Teacher (who has completed our full day CPD programme) from each Beacon School will have the opportunity to attend an expenses-paid residential programme in central London (autumn term 2020) and an expenses-paid study visit to Poland (spring term 2021). They will develop a Scheme of Work specifically targeted to the needs of their pupils; the SMT will work with the lead teacher to make Holocaust education a priority and advocate to other schools for better Holocaust education.
What does it cost?
The programme is provided to schools free of charge, and includes the cost of hotels, flights, excursions, meals, CPD, venues, and university expertise and consultancy.
Why would a school apply?
This is an opportunity for your school to partner with the world’s top-rated university for education, to raise the quality of learning and expectations in your school, and to help your students to become more engaged in their own learning and more independent, critical thinkers. UCL Institute of Education has been judged Outstanding by Ofsted at every level and on every criteria of Initial Teacher Education. UCL Centre for Holocaust Education combines extensive research into classroom needs with a teacher development programme and effective educational resources specifically designed to meet these challenges.
What is the impact on pupil outcomes?
Watch more of our teachers and senior leaders talking about what it means to be a Beacon School
Please note, we can only offer secondary schools located in England a place on the Beacon School Programme.
What qualifies a school for Beacon School status?
It is important that each Beacon School identifies a dynamic Lead Teacher to take the initiative forward and coordinate Holocaust education at your school. The key aim for this teacher is to embed the Centre’s pedagogical approaches, teaching and learning materials into their schools, developing a Scheme of Work to evidence how this has been achieved.
A Beacon School will be committed to the view that the Holocaust is a critically important part of young people’s education while appreciating the complex challenges that the Holocaust raises as a school subject. Schools need to demonstrate an existing commitment to the importance of Holocaust education as well as a keenness to embrace creativity and innovation into their curriculum.
Schools chosen for the programme will not be expected already to have a standard of exemplary Holocaust education embedded into their school teaching and learning programme. The idea is that being on the Beacon School programme is a process rather than an end point. What is required is a commitment to increasing expertise and teaching standards to advanced levels.
To apply for the UCL Beacon School programme, please complete the Expression of Interest 2020-2021 form and email to Shazia Syed at holocaust@ucl.ac.uk.
Should you be shortlisted, we will invite you to submit a full application for Beacon School status.
If you have any questions about the Beacon School programme, please email holocaust@ucl.ac.uk or call 0207 612 6437
Find out more about the work of our existing Beacon Schools
