A SPECIAL day of remembrance was held at Alvechurch CE Middle School to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.

The event, held on Friday, January 29, was led by guest visitor Chris Russell, who works with the Holocaust Educational Trust, and aimed to provide an introduction to the historical context of the mass genocide and reinforce the message of tolerance and freedom.

Year 7 pupils took part in activities where they traced family histories, tracked the journey of two children in occupied Europe and examined how life changed for Jews in Nazi Germany.

The event concluded with an assembly of reflection and remembrance where a number of candles were lit.

A spokesman from the school said: "The values of tolerance and freedom shined through and enabled pupils to see the importance of preserving those principles in their own lives and in our society as a whole."