Nottingham University Samworth Academy (NUSA) is proudly leading the way in Holocaust education earning its reputation as a Beacon School, recognised for outstanding leadership, innovation and exemplary practice that sets a standard for others to follow.
At NUSA – part of Nova Education Trust – Holocaust education goes beyond facts and dates. It deeply explores pre-war Jewish life, confronts the realities of anti-Semitism and broadens pupils’ understanding to include all groups targeted by the Nazis, including deaf people, those with disabilities and LGBTQ+ communities.
Led by History Teacher Domonic Townsend, the school has worked with deaf students for the past four years to create a vocabulary of around 20 words relating to the Holocaust which can be rendered in British Sign Language which has received worldwide acclaim.
The inclusive approach to Holocaust teaching challenges misconceptions and fosters empathy in pupils, preparing them to be thoughtful and informed global citizens.
Mr Townsend said: “It’s vital that our pupils understand Jewish people as real individuals with rich lives before the Holocaust. This helps challenge harmful stereotypes and builds empathy.”
NUSA’s curriculum incorporates cross-curricular opportunities, bringing Holocaust education into English, Drama, RE and Art. This approach enriches pupils’ learning while maximising curriculum time.
The school also takes a critical approach to Holocaust representation in media, steering pupils away from misleading films like ‘The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas’ and encouraging them to critically analyse how history is portrayed.
“Films can shine a light on history but they often miss the bigger picture or promote misconceptions, explains Mr Townsend. “We teach our students to question what they see and seek the truth.”
The groundbreaking aspect of NUSA’s work is the incorporation of British Sign Language (BSL) and deaf history into Holocaust education, reflecting a wider push to include BSL in the GCSE curriculum. This effort ensures that deaf voices are not only heard but valued within this important history.
“Including deaf voices and BSL in Holocaust education isn’t just innovative, it’s essential for accessibility and true inclusion,” Mr Townsend emphasises.
Community engagement is central to NUSA’s ethos. The school regularly hosts city-wide remembrance events featuring testimonies from Holocaust survivors such as Mala Tribech, bringing together local schools and community leaders to honour memory and educate future generations.
“Remembering the Holocaust is a shared responsibility and involving our whole community helps ensure these lessons are never forgotten,” reflects Mr Townsend.
The work NUSA is doing is more vital than ever, ensuring that the horrors and lessons of the past continue to resonate, inspiring compassion and vigilance against hatred.
Looking forward, NUSA aims to continue as a Beacon School in Holocaust education, expand staff training, create dedicated spaces for remembrance and forge stronger community partnerships.
“Our goal is to create a space where history is respected, inclusion is lived, and the community learns together,” Mr Townsend concludes. “At NUSA, remembrance is not just history, it is a living commitment to education, inclusion and hope for the future.”