Sheffield students learn lessons about the Holocaust at Auschwitz

Sheffield Park Academy students’ Ishaaq Ahmed and Mahidul Alam learnt about the atrocity when they visited Auschwitz-Birkenau.

As two of the academy’s most promising history students, Ishaaq and Mahidul, both in Year 12, were chosen to take part in the trip, which was organised by The Holocaust Education Trust as part of its ‘Lessons from Auschwitz’ programme.

Sheffield Park Academy Principal Debbie McShane said the experience had been humbling for the students, who had been encouraged to make good choices in their own lives.

She said: “We are grateful to the Holocaust Educational Trust for co-ordinating the visit and we hope that as a result of the experience.

“It will encourage not only Ishaaq and Mahidul, but also our other students, to learn from the lessons of the Holocaust and make a positive difference in their own lives.”

Based on the premise that hearing is not like seeing, the ‘Lessons from Auschwitz’ programme.explores the universal lessons of the Holocaust and its relevance for today.

It aims to increase young people’s knowledge and understanding of the Holocaust, as well as clearly highlighting what can happen if prejudice and racism become acceptable.

As part of the programme, both Ishaaq and Mahidul visited the former Nazi concentration and death camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland .

They also took part in special seminars both before and after the visit, where they and other participants heard first-hand accounts from Holocaust survivors.

The Holocaust Educational Trust was established in 1988