On Thursday 14 April, a selected few A level students had the opportunity to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau.  Here are some of their thoughts from the trip:

“ 'Lessons from Auschwitz allowed us to explore a different side to The Holocaust by encouraging us to openly discuss our thoughts and feelings throughout the trip. We were introduced to the experience by an orientation seminar and then a week later were fortunate enough to visit a cemetery in Oświęcim, Auschwitz 1 and Auschwitz-Birkenau. Although having previously learned about The Holocaust, physically visiting just two extermination camps from the period opened up an explicit view in which I can hold as a memory for the rest of my life; it is a melancholy but incredibly touching experience and one I encourage everybody to do.” 

Lucy Upton, Year 12 A Level Student

“The initial orientation seminar allowed us to prepare for the forthcoming trip, by hearing a testimony from a holocaust survivor and discussing what it was that we were expecting to see when we arrived. During the visit we looked around a Jewish cemetery, Auschwitz 1 and Auschwitz-Birkenau. It was an amazing, eye opening experience that I will never forget, and I feel so lucky that I got the chance to visit.” 

Ruth Walters, Year 12 A Level Student