Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration
Once again, we're proud to share that The National Literacy Trust has teamed up with award-winning author Tom Palmer to deliver a free event and resources for use in the school classroom or at home, to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day in 2026.
When is Holocaust Memorial Day?
International Holocaust Memorial Day is commemorated on 27 January every year, and next falls on Tuesday 27 January 2026.
What is Holocaust Memorial Day?
As defined by the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, Holocaust Memorial Day is the international day on 27 January to remember the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, alongside the millions of people murdered under Nazi persecution of other groups and during more recent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.
Further information about Holocaust Memorial Day can be found on the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust’s website, and you might find this enhanced guidance useful.
How we can support you to teach about Holocaust Memorial Day
We're working with award-winning author Tom Palmer to provide you with free resources for use in the school classroom or at home, to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day.
Our event and accompanying resources are aimed to support young people’s literacy skills while helping them learn about the past. We hope to inspire them to work toward a future where hatred and persecution are challenged.
The National Literacy Trust’s research shows that writing can help children and young people to make sense of the world, participate in civic life, and put themselves into the shoes of others. Our online event to mark Holocaust Memorial Day, offered in partnership with the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, provides an invaluable opportunity to reflect on the stories and lessons of the Holocaust, while promoting empathy and understanding in young people.
The event is supported by classroom resources which encourage pupils to engage in non-fiction writing and development of oracy skills, sharing survivors’ stories and their experiences after liberation. This work is inspired by the writings of author Tom Palmer, and the resources are designed to help you guide purposeful, empathic discussion grounded in oracy skills, witha focus on understanding, empathy, listening, and community. They also guide students in thoughtful reflection through diary writing.
These new resources are designed to be used with pupils aged 11 to 14 (Key Stage 3/S1 to S3).
Holocaust Memorial Day online event (ages 11 to 14)
Date: Tuesday 27 January 2026
Time: 10am to 10.45am
Suitable for: secondary students, aged 11 to 14 (KS3 - Years 7, 8, 9, or S1, S2 and S3).
Free: sign up to join us live, or for a link to access a recording later
Join award-wininng author Tom Palmer in conversation with Ruth Barnett as they discuss her escape from Berlin to England in 1939, her life experience, and her story to now. Marking Holocaust Memorial Day 2026: Bridging Generations.
Teaching resources for Holocaust Memorial Day 2026
For pupils aged 11 to 14 (KS3/S1 to S3)
New resources will be available to download in January 2026.
A note from the National Literacy Trust
By its very nature the subject of the Holocaust is extremely upsetting. Tom's written story, the 2026 live event and our linked resources are created to be appropriate for pupils aged 11 to 14 (Years 7, 8 and 9). However, we know that we all find the Holocaust tough to comprehend and process, and for some pupils it might be too much for them to hear about. You will know your pupils the best. Materials have been made available in advance. Please read through the story and resources beforehand to ensure that you are able to support your class if you are sharing these with students during the week of Holocaust Memorial Day.
More resources
Further Holocaust Memorial Day resources, including free CPD for teachers, can be accessed from UCL's Centre for Holocaust Education. These include resources relating to After The War.