Pupils at Lawn Manor Academy in Swindon have taken part in a deeply moving day of learning that underlines why remembering the Holocaust and other genocides remains vital for future generations.
The school has secured Beacon School status from University College London, joining a select group of just twenty schools across the country recognised each year for their commitment to transforming Holocaust education. From September, Lawn Manor Academy will work closely with the university to develop teaching that connects history with lived experience in a meaningful way.
Ahead of the official start of the programme, Year 9 pupils immersed themselves in stories of survival, courage and loss through a cross-curricular workshop entitled The Holocaust, Their Families, Me and Us. They heard the testimony of Morris Malenicky, father of Angela Cohen and grandfather of broadcaster Rob Rinder. His account took them from life in the first ghetto of the Second World War, through the trauma of a concentration camp, and finally to a new life in the UK as part of ‘The Boys’—a group of young survivors who had lost everything.
Marking thirty years since the Bosnian War and genocide, the workshop also welcomed Smajo Beso, who shared his memories of fleeing as a boy with his family after being targeted as Bosnian Muslims. His recollections of war, displacement and rebuilding a future offered the pupils a stark and timely connection between past and present-day conflicts.
The day concluded with the official opening of the school’s Garden of Sanctuary—a peaceful space for reflection. Pupils also created a striking collage inspired by the Mostar Bridge, a symbol of unity destroyed during the Bosnian conflict, reminding all who see it that bridges, both literal and symbolic, connect us regardless of background.
Andy Bull, Social Sciences Teacher at Lawn Manor Academy, said: “It is so important to hear the voices of the Holocaust and other genocides and to ensure that the stories are not lost. As we begin to lose those who lived through the Holocaust, it is vital that their children and grandchildren continue to share these stories. By hearing Smajo’s account and drawing links to today’s world, our pupils are learning not only about history but about standing up for humanity now.”
Angela Cohen added: “It was an absolute honour to spend time in such a warm and thoughtful school. The teachers and pupils welcomed me with genuine care, and I left feeling hopeful knowing these young people are learning to carry these stories forward with understanding and purpose. The day will stay with me for a very long time.”
