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We're open Monday – Thursday 10am – 4pm

Our programme for primary students has been created to support primary schools which teach the Holocaust. Our sessions introduce learners to the experiences of child refugees and pre-war Jewish communities. Each of our sessions uses age-appropriate stories of survivors and refugees who made new lives in the North of England, seeking to build knowledge and empathy, as well as understanding of our individual responsibilities within today’s society. All sessions are 2 hours long and accommodate up to 40 students.

*Please note that primary students do not visit the whole exhibition, as some areas are not age-appropriate. We are happy to discuss this in detail with you before your visit.

See also
Our Hands on History sessions are 90 minutes long and can be booked in addition to any learning session.

Travel subsidy scheme

Holocaust Centre North are pleased to announce that we can contribute to the travel hire costs for eligible schools wishing to book a Learning Session at our venue. The Travel Subsidy Scheme is available on a strictly first-come, first-served basis. You can find out more information in our Travel Subsidy Scheme T&Cs.

Journeys to Safety


How does someone become a refugee and what does it mean?

In this session, students explore the journeys of Holocaust child refugees as they escaped from Nazi occupied Europe to safety in the North of England. Students are encouraged to consider how children felt as they left their families and the difficult choices that families had to make.

We will also look at refugees from around the world today, the similarities and difference in experiences, and what we can do to help refugees in our communities.

Booking information

All sessions last approximately 2 hours for groups of up to 40 students and include the Learning Session and a self-guided activity inside the Exhibition. For groups of more than 40 students, please contact us to discuss options.


This session costs £6.00 per student with a minimum price of £175 per group.


Accompanying adults are free.

HCN Archive, courtesy of the Goldberg family

Risking Everything to Help


Why and how did people help those in the Holocaust?

In this session, students explore the different ways in which people risked their lives to help victims of the Holocaust.

Why did a stranger hide a Jewish child? Why did a family in Leeds take in a refugee? Using case studies of children affected by the Holocaust, we explore who helped, why they did so, and the difficulties they faced. Students then consider issues in their own communities and explore how they can help to create change.

Booking information

All sessions last approximately 2 hours for groups of up to 40 students and include the Learning Session and a self-guided activity inside the Exhibition. For groups of more than 40 students, please contact us to discuss options.


This session costs £6.00 per student with a minimum price of £175 per group.


Accompanying adults are free.

HCN Archive, courtesy of the Rogoff family

Extraordinary Pasts


This session explores the power of objects to preserve memories and tell extraordinary stories from the past.

By engaging with collections belonging to survivors and refugees who made new lives in the North of England, students will learn why seemingly ordinary things are special to people, why it is important to preserve them and how they can illuminate important lessons in the present.

Booking information

All sessions last approximately 2 hours for groups of up to 40 students and include the Learning Session and a self-guided activity inside the Exhibition. For groups of more than 40 students, please contact us to discuss options.


This session costs £6.00 per student with a minimum price of £175 per group.


Accompanying adults are free.

HCN Archive, courtesy of the Kubie family

Who am I? Who are you?


In this session, students reflect on their own identities, and how external factors affect their perception of themselves.

They learn about how persecuted people during the Holocaust had their identity taken away or were targeted because of their identity to consider how this made them feel. We will then think about the importance of respecting differences, promoting a culture of care and acceptance and how we can celebrate diversity in our communities.

Booking information

All sessions last approximately 2 hours for groups of up to 40 students and include the Learning Session and a self-guided activity inside the Exhibition. For groups of more than 40 students, please contact us to discuss options.


This session costs £6.00 per student with a minimum price of £175 per group.


Accompanying adults are free.

HCN Archive, courtesy of Trude Silman