St Bartholomew's School students to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum in Poland as part of The Holocaust Educational Trust's Lessons from Auschwitz project

Two sixth form students from a Newbury school have been selected to take part in a national Holocaust educational project.

Isabella Warner and Ariana Vlahakis, who are both in Year 12 at St Bartholomew’s School, have secured places on The Holocaust Educational Trust's Lessons from Auschwitz project.

It offers students the opportunity to learn about the history of the Holocaust through a bespoke programme and a one-day visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum in Poland.

The students were selected after submitting a response to the statement: Schools should continue to deliver Holocaust education.

Shortlisted entrants were then invited to give a presentation on their response.

Isabella said: “I was so proud of myself for being chosen out of everyone who applied. I am so grateful to be able to work with a great organisation who will help me learn so much more about the Holocaust and also give me the ability to teach other students using my experience.”

Ariana added: “The application process was difficult but it allowed me to explore ideas that I had never really thought about. On the Friday of the results, I waited next to my phone the whole day in anticipation.

“With the knowledge that I will obtain through this experience, I’d like to teach more about the Holocaust, share my personal notes from visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau and go on to spread awareness on hate crimes.”

They will now complete a four-part course exploring the universal lessons of the Holocaust and its relevance for today.

As well as the visit to Poland, students will learn through online seminars, led by experts in the history of the Holocaust and Holocaust education, and hear directly from Holocaust survivors.

Headteacher at St Bart’s, Dr David Fitter, said: “This is a unique learning journey for Isabella and Ariana. I look forward to hearing more about their experience, and the powerful impact that it has had on them, when they share what they have learned with the wider St Bart’s community.”

Since 1999,more than 41,000 students and teachers have taken part in the project.

In addition to participation in the project, St Bart’s has also been marking Holocaust Remembrance Day with its annual assembly.

The Year 12s were also given the opportunity to hear the Holocaust survivor testimony of Harry Bibring through his son, Michael Bibring.