HBTSR is delighted to announce that Hay on Wye Primary School has been awarded School of Sanctuary status, recognising its commitment to creating a culture of welcome, inclusion and belonging for all.
The award follows a successful application led by Year 1 teacher Meg Nicholas, with support from pupils, staff and governors across the school. During their assessment visit in May , volunteer assessors for HBTSR [ Ailsa Dunn, Philip Allsopp, Iryna Kovalenko and Amanda Renwick ] met pupils, staff and governors and were impressed by the school’s welcoming atmosphere and the way sanctuary values are embedded throughout school life.
Following the visit, the team confirmed the award and praised the enthusiasm and knowledge of the pupils and noted that the commitment to welcome and inclusion was evident across the whole school community.
Learning About Welcome and Respect
The assessment team were impressed by the wide range of learning taking place across the curriculum. Pupils spoke confidently about learning about different cultures, religions, migration and Black history, as well as developing empathy, respect and understanding through drama, discussion and storytelling.
One pupil summed up the school’s ethos perfectly:
“You don’t have to like everyone, but you have to be nice to them.”
The report also highlighted the school’s strong links with the wider community, including Hay Castle, the library, the Hay Festival and HBTSR as well as the active role played by the School Council in planning Refugee Week activities and promoting awareness.
Celebrating the Award
A celebration of the award was held at the school on Friday 19 June in the presence of the Deputy First Minister, Sioned Williams, who was visiting the constituency. Pupils, staff and guests gathered to mark the achievement and celebrate the school’s commitment to creating a safe and welcoming environment for all.
Rowland Jepson ,HBTSR lead for schools of Sanctuary , presented the award and also a selection of books given as prizes for the school’s work on HBTSR 2026 creative challenge currently on display in Theatr Brycheiniog.
The celebrations were timed to coincide with Refugee week and so the visitors were able to see some of the activities that were being done to celebrate. Classes had made heart shaped biscuits, drawn messages of hope and welcome to hang on a tree and designed posters. The Year one pupils had contributed some very colourful pebbles to the recently created Garden of Hope at Hay Castle . The whole school had also raised £111 for HBTSR from activity earlier in Refugee Week and presented this to Dr Ailsa Dunn, Secretary to HBTSR.
A Whole-School Achievement
The School of Sanctuary team concluded that Hay-on-Wye Primary School is determined to be “a safe and welcoming place for all.”
HBTSR would like to thank everyone who contributed, especially Meg Nicholas for leading the application process and the pupils whose enthusiasm and commitment impressed the assessment team throughout their visit.
The award lasts for three years, and we hope that the school looks forward to continuing its work to promote welcome, understanding and inclusion within both the school and the wider community.
