ONE of the Oppenheimer trio who survived two Nazi concentration camps captivated pupils at an Edmonton school yesterday.

Rudi Oppenheimer met Year 9 students at Gladys Aylward School, in Windmill Road, to describe his experience of the Holocaust.

Mr Oppenheimer, 78, and his siblings Eve and Paul survived for five years under the Nazis in Holland and in the camps of Westerbork, in The Netherlands, and Bergen-Belsen, in Germany.

They lost both their parents, Hans and Rita, in Belsen just before its liberation in April 1945.

The visit was organised by the Holocaust Educational Trust (HET) to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.

Sarah Milburn, Gladys Aylward School head of history, said the children were "fasinated" by Mr Oppenheimer's story.

She added: "Everyone was completely engaged throughout the whole time he was speaking. They hardly moved for an hour and 40 minutes, which is unheard of.

"They all asked lots of interesting questions. I think he really addressed them at their level.

"We tried to focus on the idea of not being a bystander, but being an upstander in the face of adversity.

"At the end of the day we asked the children what they had learnt and many said not sitting back and letting things happen, but taking a stand."

Feth-Allah Benimoussa, 13, said: "It was a life- changing experience to hear from somebody who was there and was a primary source of history."

Rahul Lalji, 13, added: "He never lost hope even though his parents died and he managed to survive, so he is an inspiration to us."

This year’s theme for Holocaust Memorial Day, on January 27, is "The Legacy of Hope", which encourages young people to learn from survivors’ experiences.

It will commemorate the 65th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the death camp in Poland.

Anna Mclver, head of religious studies at Gladys Aylward School, said: “We hope that hearing Rudi’s testimony will encourage our students to learn the lessons of the Holocaust and make a positive difference in their own lives.”

Karen Pollock, HET chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, added: “This year’s theme for Holocaust Memorial Day, ‘The Legacy of Hope’, highlights the importance of bearing witness to Holocaust survivors.

"Rudi’s story is one of tremendous courage during horrific circumstances, and by hearing his testimony, Gladys Aylward School’s students will have the opportunity to learn where hate and racism can ultimately lead."

For further information on the HET, contact Laura Ellman on 020 7284 6969 or email lellman@theproffice.com.