Brecon High School Awarded School of Sanctuary Status
Brecon High School has officially been awarded School of Sanctuary status following a successful appraisal on June 19th. The Appraisal team met with staff, governors, pupils, and parents, concluding unanimously that the school met all the criteria.
Highlights from the visit included:
- Strong integration of forced migration themes into the Drama curriculum, including work on xenophobia and “courageous conversations”.
- Use of the Welsh Baccalaureate to explore global challenges, particularly refugee issues.
- Broad coverage of equality, diversity, and inclusion across subjects like PSE.
- Refugee-related poetry and learning activities in Year 8.
- Hosting motivational speakers with lived migration experiences.
- Active collaboration with HBTSR (Hay, Brecon & Talgarth Sanctuary for Refugees).
- Personal stories from Ukrainian families and pupils who praised the school’s support and integration efforts.
- Celebration of diversity through initiatives like the international cooking club, cultural displays, and participation in Brecon Pride.
- Links with the town library and museum, and involvement in charity projects like Voices of Children.
HBTSR’s lead for Schools Rowland Jepson praised the school’s inclusive environment, commitment to embedding migration themes across the curriculum, and the welcoming atmosphere. The school community—staff, students, parents, and governors—was commended for its dedication to creating a welcoming, inclusive environment that truly embodies the spirit of a School of Sanctuary.
The Ukrainian parent who spoke to the team impressed them very much with the family’s experience of arriving at, and being integrated into, Brecon High School. What she said alone could almost have got the award for the school! It was obvious that people with a forced migration background coming into BHS have a very positive experience . Amongst many other examples given were the international cooking club which celebrates the food of all nationalities within the school and that when Ukrainians arrived in 2022, they were taken out on caving, walking and cycling trips to familiarise them with the area. …
On 29th June during a busy Welcome day, the award was celebrated and 2 pupils spoke about their experiences
Esme said’ I am so incredibly proud to be a part of the school and community accepting this
award. Not only is the work, dedication and perseverance behind this achievement astonishing . The pure kindness and benevolence that motivated it is simply a reflection of the pupils and staff alike and their qualities . Because of this every student, regardless of their background or circumstances has learned to flourish in
our school. From staff learning Ukrainian to interact with students, spending hours
helping pupils who previously only spoke a few words of English to learn the
language and deliver presentations in their second language , their unwavering
support has had such a large impact on the lives of everyone we welcome. I firmly
believe that together we have created a warm, safe and supportive environment for
all pupils welcomed from conflict to feel respected and empowered to express
themselves. So, thank you to everyone for making every gesture-no matter the size-
you have to make this school the sanctuary it is and always will be.’
Sofiia said, Three years ago, I arrived in Wales from Ukraine because of the war. I was just a teenager, only 11 years old, leaving behind everything I knew — my home, my friends, my language and my dad, who is still in Ukraine today. I didn’t know what my future would look like. I didn’t even know how to say how I felt.
I still remember my very first day at Brecon High School, when I met Mrs Gillespie. She smiled and asked me how I was — and all I could say was “so-so.” That was the only phrase I understood… and honestly, it was the only one that truly described how I felt. I was lost, scared, and unsure of who I was in this new place. But from that very moment, Mrs Gillespie never stopped believing in me. She didn’t just support me as a teacher — she supported me as a person. She listened, she cared, and she reminded me — again and again — that I belonged, and that I was stronger than I thought. She gave me a safe place when everything else in my world felt uncertain.
And I wouldn’t be standing here today without the people who carried me through. To my parents — who gave up everything to keep me safe. To our amazing sponsor — who gave us not just a home, but hope, warmth, and a chance to start again. Kindness can really change people’s life, and I’m reminded of that every single day. To my granny, my brother, and to every teacher, friend, and person who saw me not as a refugee, but as a human being with dreams.
This award is not just a certificate or a title — it’s a symbol of hope. Of kindness. Of what happens when people choose to open their hearts to those who need it most.
Thank you, Mrs Gillespie. Thank you, Brecon High School. Thank you for helping me feel at home — when home felt so far away.
It was a very fitting way to celebrate the award of School of Sanctuary with over 280 people from 26 countries having a great day out in the school. The celebration was witnessed by amongst others local MP David Chadwick and Town Mayor Marie Matthews.
Rowland in presenting the of the certificate said ‘Today many people are stirring up fear of the unknown and ‘the other’. We’re told we are becoming ‘an island of strangers’. Today, here at BHS, we see the answer to that: we have people from at least 28 different countries, people with very different religions and cultures, but all enjoying ourselves together, eating together, playing together. BHS today is the epitome of ‘welcome’, and shows us we have nothing to fear from people who are different, in fact we have much to gain.
Immigration has caused incalculable benefit and advantage to our society. Today, here, we can see
we are an island of solidarity, an island of friendship, an island of togetherness.
We are here today to honour BHS in becoming a School of Sanctuary, the first secondary school in
Powys, and just the seventh in all of Wales. We’re hoping that others will follow where BHS leads.
A School of Sanctuary is a place that is welcoming to all, no matter their background. Of course,
today shows that welcome, but on our visit last week to assess the school following their
application to become a School of Sanctuary, we found a tremendously welcoming atmosphere,
and heard from pupils and parents how the school staff had so successfully integrated Ukrainian
refugees into their school community over the last three years. A School of Sanctuary is also a
school which busts the myths about forced migration, refugees and sanctuary seekers and
counters the fears stirred up by a hostile media and politicians. BHS does that through their
curriculum and collaboration with HBTSR.
Newsletter from Powys County Council
3 July 2025
A south Powys high school has been congratulated by the county council after becoming the first high school in the county to be awarded School of Sanctuary status for fostering a safe and welcome culture.
Brecon High School has received the School of Sanctuary Award, which recognises those schools that go above and beyond in fostering a culture of welcome, inclusion, and support for people seeking sanctuary, including refugees and asylum seekers.
The school have carried out a whole range of activities to inform and embed the ethos behind Schools of Sanctuary.
Pupils in all key stages of the curriculum learn about migration, the history of refugees and what it means to seek sanctuary. They have experienced inspirational speeches and workshops from people who have successfully received sanctuary.
The pupils have also raised money for a local refugee charity and a charity in Ukraine and are actively involved in the whole process.
Cllr Pete Roberts, Powys County Council’s Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys, congratulated the school on their achievement.
“We are incredibly proud of Brecon High School for leading the way in Powys. This award is a powerful reflection of the school’s dedication to compassion, inclusion, and community,” said Cllr Roberts.
“It sets a shining example for other schools in the county and shows what can be achieved when we work together to create safe and welcoming spaces for all learners.”
The School of Sanctuary Award is part of a growing national movement, with over 600 schools across the UK now recognised for their efforts to support sanctuary seekers.