Walsall Police has partnered with the Anne Frank Trust, a charity that challenges all forms of prejudice, to deliver an education program at a school in Walsall. The initiative aims to empower pupils between the ages of nine and 15 to confront and challenge prejudice, drawing inspiration from the life and work of Anne Frank.
Anne Frank’s experiences as a young Jewish person during the Holocaust provide a poignant and powerful insight for young people to learn about the dangers of antisemitism and all forms of prejudice. Through its visits to schools, the Anne Frank Trust trains young people as peer educators, enabling them to share their knowledge and understanding with their school community.
One of the programs offered by the charity is the “History for Today” exhibition, which brings Anne’s story to schools and serves as a starting point for educating young people about hate crimes, their consequences, and the importance of taking a stand against them. The exhibition acts as a catalyst for engaging discussions and reflections.
Walsall Police, in collaboration with the Anne Frank Trust, selected Shire Oak Academy in Walsall Wood to receive the exhibition. The program includes assemblies, class talks, and events, with the exhibition being displayed at the school for two weeks until July 17.
During this period, a group of pupils from Year 7, 8, and 9 at the school were trained as Peer Educators. These students then delivered and presented the exhibition to their fellow students in Years 7, 8, and 9, as well as some Year 10 students.
PC Heather Le Roux, Partnerships Schools Intervention and Prevention Officer at Walsall LPA, expressed her admiration for the students who participated in the program. She attended three parent sessions and witnessed the children delivering the powerful story to the attending parents and siblings, commending their exceptional performance and acknowledging their families and the school for their support.
The funding for this initiative was made possible through the Helping Communities Fund, provided by the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner. Simon Foster, the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, emphasised the importance of investing seized proceeds of crime back into the community. He commended the efforts of the Walsall Police team and Shire Oak Academy in creating this crucial exhibition to educate students about the devastating impact of hate crimes and the shared responsibility to challenge and confront them.
The collaboration between Walsall Police and the Anne Frank Trust exemplifies the commitment to fostering a more inclusive and tolerant society. By engaging young people in meaningful conversations and reflections, the initiative aims to cultivate empathy, understanding, and a resolute stance against prejudice in all its forms.’
