| Info reprinted from an update by Megan Greenwood 4/8/2025 Once again, we’re seeing a rise in hostility and intimidation of our sanctuary networks, including Schools of Sanctuary. In light of these events, we share the following guidance for schools: 1. Remain steadfast in our shared values and vision for a UK where everyone feels safe, including children seeking sanctuary. Whilst these attacks intend to create fear and division, we know that the Schools of Sanctuary programme intends to benefit every child: by creating schools and communities where every child can thrive. 2. We advise against engaging with far-right commentary, particularly on social media. We strongly encourage you to review your security settings on social channels – for the time being restricting public views of content can help to avoid the targeting of your school (how to make your profile private). When necessary, report abusive or threatening comments using the relevant options on the social media platform and, where required, to the police. 3. Remind parents/carers and your wider community about why you are a member of the Schools of Sanctuary network and how this fits with your school values. Give clear and concrete examples of the different actions you have done as a result of your engagement with the programme. Listen to concerns and provide reassurance about why the purpose and principles of Schools of Sanctuary is valuable for every child. 4. We have updated our website with a Frequently Asked Questions page, where we intend to proactively address common concerns and clarify our goals and ways of working. You may want to add a link to the Schools of Sanctuary FAQs to the relevant school webpage. Schools may also want to add a statement similar to this. 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. |
