School of Sanctuary

WHAT IS A SCHOOL OF SANCTUARY? 

A School of Sanctuary is a school that is committed to being a safe and welcoming place for those seeking sanctuary. It is a space for those whose lives were in danger in their own country, who have troubles at home or are just looking for a space they can feel safe. 

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. 

WHY BECOME A SCHOOL OF SANCTUARY? 

We are proud to be working towards becoming accredited as a School of Sanctuary. We are committed to ensuring that our students learn and understand what it means to be seeking sanctuary and the difficulties asylum seekers and refugees face. Our curriculum ensures that there are opportunities to learn, understand and take actions around the themes of human rights as well as diversity, inclusion, refuge and migration. 

https://schools.cityofsanctuary.org/ 

See below for some of our work towards becoming a recognised 'School of Sanctuary':

St John the Baptist RC Primary recognised 'Refugee Week 2024' this week! We looked at different elements and unpicked their impact on children around the world. We discussed emotions, journeys, historical refugees and how they were welcomed.

In our Celebration of the Word, we discussed how the Parable of the Mustard Seed was so apt from this week's Gospel. We are small, but can do great things too!

As a school, we celebrated 'A day of Welcome' on Friday 14th June 2024. We enjoyed online author sessions by Gulwali Passarlay and Nadine Kadaan.

Key Stage 1 and Lower Key Stage 2 were able to gain an understanding of who refugees are and they explored how to make their classrooms a welcoming place.

Upper Key Stage 2 learnt about Nadine's work and her homeland, Syria, her experience of leaving there and settling in the UK.

Key Stage 2 children have written prayer intentions for Refugees.