play trailer

Key Highlights

  • Duration
    20 mins
  • Key stage(s)
    3 and 4
  • Ages
    11+
  • Supported subjects
    History, RE, PSHE, English

KINDERTRANSPORT

Kindertransport tells the story of three Kindertransport children from Germany and Czechoslavakia and their experiences of coming to the UK without their parents in order to escape Nazi persecution.

The film is narrated by Jonah Hauer-King and features a young presenter and student actors. Suitable for students throughout secondary education, from age 11 years (early Key Stage 3 / S2) through to 18 and above.

At just 20 mins long, and providing the essential facts of the Holocaust, the film also provides an excellent basis for assemblies and revision sessions.
DURATION
20 mins
Narrated by
Jonah Hauer-King
Subtitles
Available

✔️ Perfect for short lessons
A 20-minute runtime fits easily into busy timetables

✔️ Sparks meaningful discussion
Themes of family, identity, and resilience encourage rich classroom conversation

✔️ First-hand survivor voices
Personal survivor testimony brings authenticity and understanding

Register to screen full film

Key Themes Discussed

  • Happy pre-war childhoods
  • Rise of Hitler and Nazism
  • Societal and state antisemitism
  • Anti Jewish Laws
  • Kristallnacht
  • Kindertransport: a British initiative
  • Saying goodbye to parents
  • Arriving in Britain as refugees
  • Building new lives in the UK
  • Permanent separation from parents
  • Impact of WWII and parents’ fate
  • Ordinary people can make a difference

Kindertransport - Resources

Brief historical background to Kindertransport

A downloadable historical background (5 page PDF) of the Kindertransport: the humanitarian rescue effort that brought around 10,000 unaccompanied, mainly Jewish children to safety in Britain before the outbreak of WWII. A powerful story of separation, survival, and solidarity.
File size 0.05mb

Short Video Clip - Ann Kirk BEM (01:50)

Ann talks about living in Germany before the War

Short Video Clip - Bob Kirk BEM (02:07)

Bob talks about being moved around

Short Video Clip - Vera Schaufeld MBE (01:13)

Vera talks about religion and homesickness

Teachers Notes for Students - by Dr Alasdair Richardson

Teacher Notes for Students explain how to introduce and reflect upon the insightful and interesting observations from the short film clips, above. Provided by Dr Alasdair Richardson*

*Dr Alasdair Richardson, Reader in Education (Holocaust Education), FRHistS, FRSA, SFHEA, Postgraduate Research Student Lead (Faculty of Education & the Arts), University of Winchester.
File size 0.22mb

Teacher Guidance

This guide acts as an overview for educators on how to use the Kindrtransport film in both assembly and classroom settings. It explains the structure and purpose of the accompanying discussion cards (below) in leading thoughtful, sensitive discussions in History, RE, PSHE, English.

Ideal for teachers who want to facilitate thoughtful, age-appropriate conversations about identity, loss, belonging, and Britain’s response to Jewish refugees during the Holocaust.
File size 0.21mb

Assembly Cards

The discussion cards and the prompt questions, designed specifically for assemblies, encourage students to reflect on the challenges and themes present in the history of the Kindertransport. Each card has an accompanying contextual resource for teacher/educator use.
File size 0.79mb

Lesson Cards

The discussion cards and the prompt questions, designed specifically for lessons, encourage students to reflect on the challenges and themes present in the history of the Kindertransport. Each card has an accompanying contextual resource for teacher/educator use.
File size 0.84mb

GENERAL RESOURCES

Note: All links below open in external websites

The Holocaust Educational Trust resources for year 7-8:

Pre-war Jewish life

Impossible Choices: Life under Nazi Persecution

Vera’s Journey (A study of the Kindertransport via one young girl’s perspective)

What Makes a Hero? (Nicholas Winton and the Kindertransport)

The Holocaust Educational Trust resources for year 9+:

Ghettos

Nazi persecution of Jews in Germany

Britain, Refugees and the Kindertransport

Dilemmas, Choices and Responses

Rescue during the Holocaust

The Holocaust Educational Trust resources for sixth form and older students:

WHAT TEACHERS ARE SAYING

  • "Magnificent. An excellent use of student voices; so very expressive and easier for students to empathise with. Thank you"

    • Simon Hopkins, Teacher - Wollaston School, Northamptonshire

  • "This was the most valuable documentary on the Holocaust I have come across"

    • Teacher - Dumbarton Academy, Scotland

  • "This film was superb. I have never had a resource that explains this horrifying period of history so comprehensively"

    • Teacher - Thornden School, Hampshire

  • "An informative, educational docufilm created in a tasteful way. Well done to all involved"

    • Natalie Hall, Teacher - Aughnacloy College, Northern Ireland

  • "The film was excellent, very well produced, posed questions and informed. Left me speechless despite teaching about the Holocaust for decades"

    • Teacher - Elea High Online School

  • "We really appreciate the high quality of the resources produced and are glad to use them to support our delivery of material on the Holocaust both in history lessons and as part of the wider school"

    • Teacher - Huntcliff School, Saltburn-by-the-Sea

  • "Thank you so much for the use of the film. I lead the assemblies for year 7-11 and the feedback I have received from both staff and pupils was that it was one of the best assemblies they have had"

    • Teacher - Farringdon Community Academy, Sunderland

Explore Other Films In Our Collection

The Holocaust

  • Duration
    53 mins (also in 3 parts - 19 mins, 13 mins & 18 mins)
  • Key stage(s)
    3 and 4
  • Ages
    13+
  • Supported subjects
    History, RE, PSHE, English

Assembly Film

  • Duration
    15 mins
  • Key stage(s)
    3 AND 4
  • Ages
    11+
  • Supported subjects
    History, RE, PSHE, English

Steven’s Story

  • Duration
    52 mins (also in 3 parts - 18 mins, 18 mins & 16 mins)
  • Key stage(s)
    3 AND 4
  • Ages
    13+
  • Supported subjects
    History, RE, PSHE, English

Janine’s Story

  • Duration
    54 mins (also in 2 parts, 27 mins each)
  • Key stage(s)
    3 AND 4
  • Ages
    12+
  • Supported subjects
    History, RE, PSHE, English