| ‘Becoming a School of Sanctuary is a profound commitment to fostering a culture of welcome, inclusion and safety for all, especially refugees and asylum seekers. It aligns beautifully with the values of compassion and community that we all uphold. By becoming a School of Sanctuary, we extend this tradition to our learners, ensuring that every child, regardless of background, feels valued and supported. For a church school, this journey is deeply connected to faith. The teachings of love, mercy, and hospitality call us to welcome the stranger and care for the vulnerable. Becoming a School of Sanctuary is a way to live out these values in a tangible and impactful way. Education is a powerful tool for understanding and empathy. Schools of Sanctuary teaches our learners about the experiences of refugees and migrants, helping them develop a sense of justice and kindness. This encourages our young minds to embrace diversity and stand against intolerance. This initiative doesn’t just transform the school—it strengthens the entire community. Families, school staff and learners come together to create an environment where everyone belongs. It fosters a culture of active citizenship, where young people learn to advocate for justice and inclusion.’ Quote from one of the headteacher’s of a School of Sanctuary Schools may want to add a statement similar to this on their website . Being recognised as a School of Sanctuary means a school has evidenced their commitment to making sure every child and family feel welcomed, safe and is supported to thrive. This includes upholding comprehensive safeguarding practices and policies as our highest priority. The Schools of Sanctuary programme is not political – in a worryingly divided society where hateful rhetoric is widespread, it simply helps schools to talk factually about the different reasons people may have been forced to flee and their experiences arriving in the UK. Whatever a person’s viewpoint, the Schools of Sanctuary encourages children and adults alike to lead with kindness and humanity.Stories of arriving in the UK are not abstract but are also shared by many in our school community. Being a School of Sanctuary not only helps us to understand the challenges newly arrivals might be experiencing and best support them, as we work hard to do for every one of our learners, but it also ensures that these children’s experiences are recognised and represented. In doing so, we hope that children seeking safety can feel just as safe, welcomed and valued in our community as their peers.We are proud to be a school where every child feels safe, where we try to understand and meet every child’s individual needs, and we equip our pupils to be kind and thoughtful members of our communities. This is at the heart of who we are.You can learn more about the Schools of Sanctuary programme here but if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us. |
| We stand in solidarity with all school leaders, educators, children, parent/carers and community members working to make schools and communities safe and welcoming spaces. We recognise the pressures schools face in these circumstances. Being part of the Schools of Sanctuary network is about supporting vulnerable people, strengthening community cohesion, and ensuring that every child can live safely and achieve their potential. Together, we are a strong and supportive network providing help when families seeking safety need it most. **************************************************************************** |
