As part of Refugee Week 2017, Cradoc Primary School will be the first primary school in Wales to be recognised as a School of Sanctuary. Kirsty Williams, Assembly Member for Brecon and Radnorshire and Education Secretary will present the award on Monday 19th June. The award recognises the fantastic work of students and teachers over the last year to welcome asylum seekers and refugees in Wales.

Schools of Sanctuary is an initiative to celebrate the good practice of schools who welcome asylum seeking and refugee families into their school community and foster a culture of welcome and inclusion for all. Pupils at Cradoc Primary School learned about the reality of being a refugee or asylum seeker, with support of Hay, Brecon and Talgarth Sanctuary for Refugees (HBTSR). Then they organised an Away Day  with HBTSR for people seeking sanctuary living in Swansea, facilitating transport to a beautiful corner of Wales that most asylum seekers and refugees would never otherwise get to see.

Kirsty Williams, Welsh Education Secretary, said:

“As a School of Sanctuary, Cradoc Primary School has demonstrated some of the most important values in our society – showing compassion, promoting equality, and upholding inclusion. Their Welcome Away Day in January was a perfect example of the great work Cradoc has done and it is fantastic to have the school recognised.”

Rebecca Scott, Wales Cities of Sanctuary Co-ordinator, said:

“The enthusiasm of the young people and staff at Cradoc Primary is an inspiration to us all. Their Away Day showed that you don’t have to have people seeking sanctuary living on your doorstep to provide a warm, Welsh welcome for people rebuilding their lives here. I hope that the activities at Cradoc Primary School and their new School of Sanctuary status will encourage other schools to engage in a similar welcome for all.”

Hay, Brecon and Talgarth Sanctuary for Refugees is part of a Wales-wide network of City of Sanctuary groups working with local organisations to foster a welcome for people seeking sanctuary. The City of Sanctuary vision is that wherever asylum seekers and refugees go, they will find welcome and understanding, and the opportunity to celebrate their diverse contributions to our society.

The inspirational team – Deputy Head, Headteacher and a School Governor.

For more information on the School of Sanctuary initiative please click here.

For more information on Cradoc Primary School Welcome Away Day, please click here.

The City of Sanctuary network encourages practical ways for ordinary citizens to demonstrate solidarity with, and support for refugees in their own communities. It promotes a grassroots “culture of hospitality”, through local voluntary music, sports, education, health, and arts initiatives.

For more information on the Wales Cities of Sanctuary project please click here.