Teaching the Holocaust in Primary Schools in Scotland: Modes, methodology and content

Abstract

Most consideration of teaching the Holocaust in Britain is based on teaching pupils aged 12-15 in England (Supple, 1993; Short, 1995; Carrington & Short, 1997; Brown & Davies, 1998). This paper directs attention to some experiences of teaching the Holocaust to pupils of primary stages 5-7 in Scotland (i.e. those aged between 9 and 11) and considers the significance of teaching Holocaust history in the primary context. The rationale for teaching this area is examined both in terms of the topicality, the universality of its lessons and the suggestions in various documentation about developing positive values in pupils. Eight primary teachers, five of whom regularly teach aspects of the Holocaust to this age group in Scottish schools when allocated the upper primary stages, were interviewed at length to ascertain the nature of the integration of the Holocaust into the Scottish 5-14 curriculum, the methodologies applied and the content of their studies. These findings are analysed and their implications discussed.