Bringing the curriculum to life (Part 1)
The place of Holocaust and genocide education within the curriculum is often debated. Our experience suggests that the more important question may not be where it sits, but how it is delivered.
Regenesis had been given the opportunity to take a most diverse group of Year 6’s out of the classroom to the Lakes on our well trodden Windermere Walk. We had a lot of adjustments to make to the planning, risk assessment and style and content of story telling to facilitate this this for 10 & 11 year olds rather than adults.
We had shifted our language from holocaust to genocide, from concentration camp to prisoner, and from escapee to survivor, and discussed the acceptance of immigrants, likely matching the second or third generation status of many of the pupils.
The head and Y6 teachers of this particular Manchester urban school rightly prioritise the welfare of pupils, and that meant our standards could not slip below 100%. We decided to combine the role of storyteller and educator with walk leader to that the children could build trust and ask anything as their minds would wander through nature.
We were delighted to know that the curriculum had contained enough background for Regenesis to gradually build up during the day from basic hill walking, waterside safety to finally a poignant reflection on some of the world’s worst moments, together with the lessons on kindness we can learn.
I was not expecting to be on first name terms with the pupils so quickly, and the day progressed from climbing Orrest Head via the Gruffalo carving (of course) to skimming stones where the refugee Windermere Boys played, before concluding at the football pitch and Tree of Life. Many had not been to the Lakes before, let alone the opportunity to go on a meaningfully themed day trip.
The leaders and teachers were rewarded with seeing this group of children flourish and reflect in equal measure. This has cemented our ambition to take more such groups on this trip.
Feedback from the pupils themselves made it clear that they enjoyed the opportunity to not just go to the Lakes, but to be taught how to safely enjoy the scenery. We learned about the journey of two refugee Boys in particular. The strength and determination of Sir Ben, and the legend that is Arek who we know well and could describe to the children first hand.
Rather than attempt to describe the day in words alone, we have produced a short film that captures its spirit. It is a reminder that sometimes a single image really is worth a thousand words.
Thank you to our benefactors for facilitating this trip. We hope there will be many more such opportunities to educate children on their transition from primary to senior school.
