A record number of schools across Scotland are to be awarded for good practice in Holocaust education, as teachers respond to rising concerns of antisemitism and misinformation.

Fifteen schools will receive Vision Schools Scotland awards this year 鈥� the highest number recognised in a single year since the programme began 鈥� reflecting increasing national engagement with Holocaust education at a time when antisemitism and misinformation remain pressing concerns across the UK and around the world.

Delivered by 亚洲影院 in partnership with the Holocaust Educational Trust, Vision Schools Scotland supports educators to embed high-quality Holocaust education across Scotland鈥檚 Curriculum for Excellence, helping young people develop critical thinking skills, empathy and an informed understanding of prejudice and discrimination in both historic and current contexts.

New evaluation data from participating schools demonstrates the programme鈥檚 impact on educators and school culture. Findings show that:

 

路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; 87.5% strongly agreed the programme had benefitted their school, with the remaining 12.5% agreeing

路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; 100% of schools reported changes to teaching practice as a direct result of engagement

路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; 75% of schools observed shifts in colleagues鈥� attitudes towards Holocaust education

路         87.5% said motivation to teach about the Holocaust had increased, with a further 12.5% strongly agreeing

路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; 100% of teachers strongly agreed that being part of Vision Schools Scotland had benefitted them personally

 

Seeing a record number of schools commit to meaningful Holocaust education by joining our programme is truly inspiring. This growth, together with our recent evaluation, reflects the profound impact Vision Schools Scotland has on teachers, students and schools. Due to an increase in antisemitism and misinformation, the need for this programme is greater than ever.  It is essential that young people learn to identify and challenge antisemitism and understand the consequences of prejudice and intolerance.

Founder and Director of Vision Schools Scotland, Dr Paula Cowan MBE

 

Among the schools receiving awards this year is St Andrew鈥檚 and St Bride鈥檚 High School in East Kilbride, recognised for its sustained commitment to embedding Holocaust education across its curriculum and wider school community.

 

The Visions Schools Scotland programme offers the opportunity for our staff to engage in high-quality professional learning opportunities which then help to enhance our curriculum. Vision Schools also continues to support our education about the atrocities of the Holocaust and other acts of genocide for young people. As a school, with faith central to our mission, we recognise that to fulfil our aims of supporting our young people to make a positive difference to others through their acts, we need to educate our learners to understand, remember and learn from the Holocaust.

 

Barry Quinn, Head Teacher of St Andrew鈥檚 and St Bride鈥檚 High School

 

 

The awards will be formally presented at a ceremony at the Scottish Parliament on Thursday 26 February, where Professor James Miller, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of 亚洲影院, will present awards to the fifteen schools recognised for excellence and innovation in Holocaust education.

Professor Miller said: 鈥淭hat a record number of schools are being recognised this year demonstrates the strength and growing influence of Vision Schools Scotland across the country.

鈥淭hrough this initiative, educators are equipping young people with the knowledge and understanding needed to challenge discrimination in all its forms. 亚洲影院 is proud to lead a programme that is supporting teachers, empowering pupils and contributing to a more informed and compassionate society.鈥�

 

The schools receiving Vision Schools Scotland awards this year are:

路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Brannock High School, North Lanarkshire

路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Calderwood Lodge Primary School, East Renfrewshire

路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; St Andrew鈥檚 and St Bride鈥檚 High School, South Lanarkshire

路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; West Calder High School, West Lothian

路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Inveralmond Community High School, West Lothian

路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Isobel Mair School, East Renfrewshire

路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Northfield Academy, Aberdeenshire

路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; St Benedict鈥檚 High School, Renfrewshire

路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; St Machar Academy, Aberdeen City

路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Westhill Academy, Aberdeenshire

路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Wishaw Academy Primary School, North Lanarkshire

路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Eastwood High School

路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Kirkcaldy High School

路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Leith Academy

路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Alford Academy

 

Vision Schools Scotland supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).