PUPILS at an Ashton-under-Lyne school took the lead in educating their peers, families and invited guests at an Anne Frank exhibition to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.
The temporary pop-up exhibition, History for Today, explores the history of the Holocaust through the experiences of the Frank family, examining antisemitism and the events that forced Anne and her family into hiding.
The exhibition forms part of an annual collaboration between Tameside Council’s Arts and Engagement Team and the Tameside SEN/SEND school art hub.
Schools involved also work with the Anne Frank Trust UK, with pupils at Samuel Laycock taking part in workshops earlier this academic year.
During the sessions, students were introduced to the exhibition content and trained as peer guides, building the confidence and knowledge needed to deliver their own guided tours.
On Thursday, January 15, the Deputy Civic Mayor of Tameside Cllr Helen Bowden and Executive Member for Lifelong Learning and Culture Cllr Leanne Feeley visited the school alongside ward councillors. They were joined by pupils and students from Samuel Laycock and Thomas Ashton School.
“To have the Anne Frank Trust in Tameside, bringing the ‘A History for Today’ exhibition to one of our schools is such an honour and a wonderful learning opportunity for the pupils,” said Cllr Feeley.
“The young people guided us around the display with incredible knowledge and skill, confidently sharing information and answering questions on a range of topics. It filled me with such pride to see the student’s guiding tours and having such a good understanding of the history of Anne Frank. It was a credit to all involved.”
A spokesperson for Samuel Laycock School said students from the Performing Arts Pathway had worked closely with the Anne Frank Trust UK and welcomed visitors into the school reception area to view the exhibition and artwork inspired by this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day theme, Bridging Generations.
Thomas Ashton School praised the experience as a “powerful walk-through” that encourages “reflection, empathy, and a deeper understanding of history and human rights”.
Amber Allcock, Education Delivery Manager at Anne Frank Trust UK, said: “With rising levels of antisemitism in recent years, this education is highly valuable and we are grateful to be working with Samuel Laycock again to inspire the next generation of young people to go forward and make meaningful change.”