Are you a school based in Swindon who is interested in working towards becoming an official School of Sanctuary?

What does it mean to become a School of Sanctuary?

A School of Sanctuary is a school that is committed to being a safe and welcoming place for all, especially those seeking sanctuary. This could be people whose lives were in danger in their own country, who have troubles at home or are just looking for a space of safety.

A School of Sanctuary is a school that helps its students, staff and wider community understand what it means to be seeking sanctuary and to extend a welcome to everyone as equal, valued members of the school community. It is a school that is proud to be a place of safety and inclusion for all.

No matter your school’s demographic, becoming a School of Sanctuary is for all schools. Educating your students on what it means to be seeking sanctuary is beneficial for all students to able to empathise with the plight of others and to dispel negative myths surrounding those seeking refuge.

The programme began in Yorkshire, England, and there are now Schools of Sanctuary in Wales, Ireland and many English cities and towns.

What does my school need to do?

There are three simple principles to follow to become a School of Sanctuary:

1. Learn about what it means to be seeking sanctuary.
2. Take positive action to embed concepts of welcome, safety and inclusion within your school and the wider community.
3. Share your vision and achievements – be proud!

Why become a School of Sanctuary?

• Create a sense of safety and inclusion for all
• Develop an understanding of what it means to seek sanctuary. Dispel negative myths
• Provide learning opportunities around human rights, social justice, diversity and interdependence
• Strengthen race equality and community cohesion work
• Increase student’s voice and promote active citizenship
• Augment work to attain Stephen Lawrence Education Standard or other inclusion award initiatives
• Provide evidence to meet Ofsted expectations for high educational achievement for refugee and unaccompanied asylum seeking children

To find out more please contact Cristina Bennett: [email protected]

This work is kindly made possible by the Global Learning Programme. You can find out more about their support of our launch here.