Lees Brook Academy: Our Beacon School Journey
Lees Brook Academy is proud to participate in the UCL Centre for Holocaust Education’s prestigious Beacon Schools Programme. This initiative, recognised nationally, is dedicated to ensuring that Holocaust education is research-informed, impactful, and embedded across the school curriculum. By participating in this programme, Lees Brook Academy strengthens its commitment to high-quality history education and our students’ broader development of critical thinking, empathy, and historical understanding.
What is the Beacon Schools Programme?
The Beacon Schools Programme is a nationally significant initiative designed to enhance the teaching and learning of the Holocaust in schools across the UK. Led by the UCL Centre for Holocaust Education, the programme supports schools in delivering a research-driven, cross-curricular approach to Holocaust education. By becoming a Beacon School, Lees Brook Academy joins a network of institutions dedicated to deepening subject knowledge, developing innovative teaching strategies, and promoting best practices in Holocaust education.
The programme has been running for over a decade and has helped schools nationwide become leaders in Holocaust education.
Why take part?
At Lees Brook Academy, we are committed to delivering the highest standard of history education. The Holocaust is a statutory subject in the History National Curriculum, and we are dedicated to teaching it in the best way possible. By taking part in this programme, we aim to:
Lead the way within the Archway Learning Trust, ensuring that our staff are equipped with the best possible resources and training to teach the Holocaust effectively.
Enhance staff expertise, enabling teachers to confidently deliver lessons that tackle complex historical topics with sensitivity and depth.
Develop a school-wide approach, integrating Holocaust education across different subjects and ensuring a cohesive learning experience for all students.
Becoming a Beacon School aligns with our vision of working together. Transforming Lives. Creating a rich learning environment and providing outstanding educational opportunities for our pupils.
What are the outcomes?
By embedding the latest research and best practices into our teaching, Lees Brook Academy will create a holistic and impactful Holocaust education programme. This includes:
A new, research-informed Scheme of Learning that ensures students gain a comprehensive and meaningful understanding of the Holocaust.
A whole-school approach, where Holocaust education is not limited to history lessons but is integrated into other subjects where possible.
Professional development for teachers, equipping them with specialist knowledge and innovative teaching methods.
Engaging students with contemporary issues, fostering critical thinking and encouraging them to reflect on themes of prejudice, discrimination, and human rights.
By participating in this programme, Lees Brook Academy reaffirms its commitment to historical integrity, academic excellence, and the moral responsibility of Holocaust education. We are honoured to lead in shaping how students understand this pivotal historical period and apply its lessons to the present and future.
#TEAMLeesBrook