A SECONDARY school in the Wee County has been recognised for its success in embedding Holocaust education into the curriculum.

Alva Academy has been given Vision School for Holocaust Education status in a programme run by the Holocaust Educational Trust in partnership with the University of the West of Scotland.

The award seeks to recognise those who demonstrate innovation and good practice in the area and Alva Academy has become the first in the Forth Valley to achieve this status.

Scott McEwan, headteacher, said: "I am proud that each and every day our school values shape our decisions, relationships and wellbeing.

"A real sense of pride for me has been the impact across our school community and beyond.

"Holocaust education has provided us with the context to encapsulate our values into the learning of our young people.

"We are Alva Academy."

The academy has achieved Vision School Level 1 status with Holocaust education forming a part of the history curriculum in both junior and senior phases for the past 16 years.

For the past decade, the school has been showcasing pupil work and delivered performances of poetry, music and dance – culminating in an annual evening of remembrance featuring more than 300 learners.

In addition, the topic is highlighted through participation in the Lessons from Auschwitz programme as well as excursions to the battlefields of Krakow and Warsaw.

A focus on promoting equality and inclusion while challenging discrimination also forms the basis of inter-disciplinary learning (IDL) across the curriculum.

This is led by faculty principal teachers: David Clifford in arts, physical education and dance as well as Gillian Freeland in social subjects and RMPS.

They identified a team of staff members who each had a passion for and an interest in Holocaust education to drive forward the IDL programme this year and build upon existing good practice.

As part of this Holocaust Memorial Day was marked on January 27 this year with the academy welcoming P7 pupils from the local primary for an afternoon of activities.

The activities were designed and led by S3 pupils on various aspects of Holocaust and the assembly hall was turned into a museum (pictured).

There were also live performances while RMPS teacher Miss Teasdale, also part of the Holocaust IDL group, visited Alva PS to complete a reflection exercise and enhance the pupil's experience of transitioning into secondary.

Miss Freeland added: "We want to thank all of the staff and young people involved in helping us achieve our Level 1 status and who support our ongoing commitment to promote Holocaust education at Alva Academy."

Plans are already underway to begin working toward Level 2 status after the summer break.

The school will seek to widen the experience by including all primaries in its cluster and involve them in the annual memorial evening.

Alva will formally receive its status in August while a team of staff and pupils are set to attend a follow-up event at Scottish Parliament in November.