Students at a Newport school came face-to-face with one of the most significant chapters in modern history as part of an innovative and transformative learning opportunity.
Ahead of this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day, Burton Borough School laid on a powerful and immersive learning experience.
Nearly 70 students took part in Testimony 360 – a digital education programme created by the Holocaust Educational Trust that has been designed to transform how the Holocaust is taught in schools across the UK.
Head of history Amy Bayliss said: “Testimony 360 brings history to life in a deeply human way. It gives students a powerful personal connection to these events and showed how technology, used thoughtfully, can help preserve lived experiences for future generations.”
Delivered through two in-depth 2.5 hour workshops, the programme used interactive digital eyewitness testimony and cutting edge virtual reality technology to give students an unprecedented opportunity to engage directly with the lived experiences of Holocaust survivor Manfred Goldberg, who gave a talk at Burton Borough School early last year.
Through VR headsets and guided exploration, students were able to virtually visit key historical locations including synagogues, a concentration camp, a train station central to deportations, and even the interior of Mr Goldberg’s former family home.
His message – “what happened must never be forgotten” – has taken on even deeper significance following his death in November, and the school community remains committed to ensuring his legacy continues to resonate.
The workshops were led by Holocaust Educational Trust educators Sophie Hunt and Barnabas Balint, who guided students through sensitive and reflective discussions, helping them understand the historical context while encouraging thoughtful engagement with the moral and human lessons of the Holocaust.
Burton Borough School principal Caroline Bedford said: “Manfred Goldberg’s story left a lasting impact on our school community.
“Through Testimony 360, his voice continues to educate, challenge, and inspire our students, reminding them of the responsibility we all share to remember the past and stand against hatred and intolerance.”
