Highfields School is proud to announce that we have been awarded the Quality Mark in Holocaust Education for 2024-2028. We are only the 26th school throughout the country to receive the mark. This prestigious accolade confirms our school's outstanding provision and evolving specialism in Holocaust education. Our teaching and learning in this area is highly effective, positively contributing to policy,curriculum, pedagogy, and practice.
As a UCL Beacon School, Highfields offers research-informed learning experiences that result in empathetic and insightful outcomes. Our students are inspired and empowered by their knowledge and understanding of the Holocaust. In partnership with UCL, Highfields has rapidly become an ambitious 'Beacon' committed to sharing best practices, refining and developing innovative approaches, and looking forward to future advancements.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Miss Tappenden for spearheading our Beacon work, along with all staff who supported the Quality Mark assessment process. We also thank everyone involved in Holocaust Education over the past few years, including form tutors who delivered Holocaust Memorial Day activities, contributing to the 'thought tree' in reception.
Miss Tappenden remarked on the award, "We are thrilled to have been awarded Quality Mark status in recognition of the hard work undertaken thus far and our commitment to the ongoing development of outstanding Holocaust Education. The process was rigorous but deeply supportive; I really felt like Nic was championing the work we have done at Highfields and supportive of the areas for development that we had identified in our own self-assessment process. The QM process enabled me to celebrate our successes with pride and left me feeling inspired and hopeful for the future. Our young people deserve the very best, and our Beacon School journey has empowered us to embed pedagogical principles into Holocaust Education that will stay with our students for life. Achieving Quality Mark is a huge step forward and signposts our commitment to our young people as well as a continued relationship with UCL."
We also want to thank our incredible students for their respectful, knowledgeable, and honest insights and reflections. Their commitment to learning has been outstanding, and their sophisticated, nuanced understanding allows them to apply their knowledge to the modern world, their local context, and the global community.
If you would like to read our full UCL report from the QM process, please visit Holocaust Education.
We look forward to continuing our journey in providing exceptional Holocaust Education at Highfields.