SCHOOL pupils from Buckinghamshire were left “overwhelmed” after visiting Nazi concentration camps in Poland.

Youngsters from High Wycombe, Chesham, Princes Risborough and Marlow visited the sites of Auschwitz-Birkenau - where the mass extermination of Jews and other groups took place around 65 years ago.

The trip on Thursday was organised by The Holocaust Educational Trust, which takes thousands of A-Level students from across the country each year.

Students first visited Osweicim, the town where the Auschwitz death and concentration camps were located.

Before the war 58 per cent of the population was Jewish.

Students then visited Auschwitz I, where they saw the former camp’s barracks and crematoria, piles of prisoners' belongings and two tons of human hair collected by the Nazis from those they murdered.

Year 12 pupils Amie McCarthy and Josh Brown, 16, both from High Wycombe, attend Great Marlow School in Bobmore Lane, Marlow.

Josh said: “People can tell you the numbers but you're seeing it yourself. I walked in and saw the hair and had to walk away.

“I didn't know what to expect, I thought I didn't think it would move me but when you're there you can actually picture it how you think it would be that's the scary thing.”

Amie said: “It made me feel bad, standing there listening about it when those one and half million people had died there.

“You can't really describe it, you can tell people about it but I'm sure they won't realise fully unless they actually visit.”

She said seeing the 'death wall' was one of the biggest shocks, having not known about it before going.

Thousands of Polish political prisoners, among others, were shot there.

Birkenau - the main centre of the killing - was the final destination for students, where the day concluded with a short memorial service.

Princes Risborugh School pupil Henry Ley, 18, from Bledlow Ridge, said: “It's all been a bit too much. The only thing I can focus on is the utter desperation of the whole process.

“The final solution really is a phrase that sums it up well.

"I'm just shocked as to the extent of numbers and at the moment, totally bewildered and overwhelmed.”

He said seeing the hair had been particularly hard.

“I stepped into the room and in half a second I knew what it was, I couldn't look around again for another three minutes. It's the scale that really hits you,” he said.

He added: “No mind can comprehend the sheer numbers.”

Pupils met a survivor before the visit and will attend a second seminar to reflect on what they saw next week.

They will also give a presentation to their schools.

Karen Pollock, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust said: “HET’s Lessons from Auschwitz Project is such a vital part of our work because it gives students the chance to understand the dangers and potential effects of prejudice and racism today.

“The inspiring work students go on to do in their local areas demonstrates the importance of the visit.”

The following students and teachers attended: Chesham High School - Ashling Coakley-Burns and Gregor Wloch.

Great Marlow School - Josh Brown and Amie McCarthy

Highcrest Community School – Mumtaz Azam and Aaron Evans with teacher Amy Jordan

Pipers Corner School – Alex Stewart-Long and Hannah Wilson with teacher Naomi Foster

Princes Risborough School – Kiya Kelly and Henry Ley

The Misbourne School – Kate McKenna and Helena Rant

Wycombe Abbey School – Claire Kilroy and Connie Meath Baker

Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School and Performing Arts College – Catherine Allen and Liz Waters

John Colet School – Will Carruthers and Megan O'Connell

Guest David Davis