Schools of Sanctuary Newsletter

Dear friends,

Over the past couple of years, we’ve been delighted to see ever increasing interest in the role schools can play in building a culture of welcome and more schools than ever have joined our network.

This has been an exciting time – but challenging.

For this reason we have sadly been forced to close award processes for any schools in areas without a Local Lead. In our latest blog we explain the thinking about this and what this might mean for your school.

Unlike most award schemes for schools, we are committed to keeping the School of Sanctuary award and all of the supporting resources, webinars and unique opportunities completely free but we need YOUR support to keep going. We need every school in our networks to chip in and help us safeguard the future of Schools of Sanctuary - please consider donating or developing fundraising activities to help us grow our network of welcoming schools.

Show Your Support for Schools of Sanctuary

In the meantime, thank you all for your patience, understanding and ongoing engagement for Schools of Sanctuary work as we set up these new processes.

Now read on for this term's newsletter where we share updates from the UK's immigration sector and what this might mean for families in your school, along with the usual array of upcoming trainings and events, unique FREE resources and opportunities (including funded Giglet's subscriptions) and plenty more!

Warm wishes,
Megan

Schools of Sanctuary Coordinator

Things are changing at Schools of Sanctuary

In this blog, we share some of the challenges we're experiencing at Schools of Sanctuary HQ which contextualises our decision to close applications for schools in areas without a Local Lead. Have a look to see if this will affect your school.

The UK continues to fail people seeking safety and migrant families

The Refugee Council has highlighted plummeting numbers of refugee resettlement (shockingly only 766 refugees were resettled last year) whilst dangerous crossings continue.

Harsh new UK visa rules about spousal income requirements are worrying for children with a migrant parent. Whilst this only affects first-time applicants, some families may be concerned about how this will affect them. In the future this will mean children may be separated from a migrant parent.

Finally, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child’s latest Concluding Observations on the UK have concluded again that the UK is failing to uphold the rights of children seeking sanctuary. It states they are subjected to unequal treatment & access to protection under the Illegal Migration Act, invasive & unreliable age assessment processes, lack of family reunification pathways, and unequal & delayed access to public services.

Walthamstow School Funds Refugee Resettlement

BBC London recognises the phenomenal efforts of St Saviour's CofE Primary School to support people seeking safety, which includes raising money to support community sponsorship efforts and supporting people housed in a local hotel.

Register for a Day of Welcome NOW

Plans are well underway for this year's 'A Day of Welcome' in June, helping you to celebrate Refugee Week.

Make sure to register now to be notified of the planned webinars, activities, resources and the upcoming launch event!

REUK & UoN Teacher Education Course NOW LIVE!

The much anticipated FREE online training course from Refugee Education UK & the University of Nottingham is NOW LIVE!

Covering access, wellbeing, progression, English acquisition and more - it's not to be missed!

Join the course

We're delighted to welcome Benson Community Primary School, St Gerard's Catholic Primary School (Birmingham), St. Mary's Church in Wales Primary School (Newport) and Brooke VC CE Primary School, Lakenham Primary School, Sewell Park Academy, Wymondham High Academy (Norfolk) as our newest Schools of Sanctuary.

We also warmly celebrate the reaccreditation of Carden Nursery and Primary School (Brighton), Avenue Junior School and Notre Dame High School (Norfolk).

Award Coverage

Newport primary school recognised for 'ethos of inclusivity' | Shropshire Star

Click here find out more about the awards process.

Upcoming events & celebrations

26th Feb-1st March: Empathy Week
5th March: World Book Day
20th March: International Day of Happiness
21st March: World Poetry Day
21st March: International Day for the
Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Upcoming trainings & webinars

28th February: Windrush Resources for Teachers (The Linking Network). Register now.
29th February: Introduction to EAL Assessment (Bell Foundation). Register now.
12th March: Supporting Ukrainian Students in School (REUK). Register now.
9th April: Supporting Syrian Students in School (REUK). Register now.
17th, 21st April and 1st May: Healing Classrooms Training (IRC). Register now.
7th, 14th, 21st May: Healing Classrooms Training (IRC). Register now.
Self-Guided Refugee Education UK & University of Nottingham Teacher Education Course NOW LIVE! Sign up now.

Teaching & Learning Resources

FREE Comic Books. Contact Dr Santokh Gill, Senior Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Huddersfield for 20-30 hardcopies of the Transitions comic book about refugees' experiences in Yorkshire.
Classroom Calendar. Use this calendar to find those quick ‘micro moments’ throughout the school day that inspire global citizenship, critical thinking and conversation. Explore the Global Dimensions site for more resources!
First Steps Resource Pack. From Amnesty International resources to introduce human rights to young children (3-5 years old). Also available in Welsh.
How to Talk to Children About War and Conflict. The IRC shares some principles for opening discussions with children.
Talking about Israel and Palestine. Oxfam suggests eight ways to approach these difficult discussions in school.
Education Workshops. Gatwick Detainees Welfare Group offer workshops to schools, particularly in London, Gatwick and Brighton.

Other Opportunities & Resources

Grant - Grants for Young People Aged 16-28 Seeking Safety to Complete Their Education (Hope for the Young)
Research Report - Experiences of Displaced Young People Living in England (ONS)
Blog - Forced Adulthood: The Home Office's Incorrect Determination of Age and How This Leaves Child Refugees at Risk (Helen Bamber Foundation)
FREE Giglets Subscription - We have secured a limited number of free one-year Giglets subscriptions for schools in our network. Apply by 22nd March (Giglets).
Guidance - EAL and SEND: Guidance for Integrated Provision in Schools (Bell Foundation)
Call for participants (parent/carers) - New research on childcare and NRPF (Praxis). Information flyer attached.
Practice Toolkit - Home-School Engagement (Schools of Sanctuary)
FREE Downloadable Banners, Posters and Stickers (Schools of Sanctuary)

Collective Action Ideas

This World Book Day (5th March) let's celebrate stories by and about people seeking sanctuary.

In school or working with your local library, create a display showcasing your favourite books and ask staff and students to write short book reviews to encourage others to pick up these books and learn more about people seeking safety. This is a great project to hand over to your pupils and let them take the lead.

A fun, creative and easy way to raise awareness across your school community and beyond!

Make sure to take photos of these displays and share on social media, tagging @SchsofSanctuary on X (formerly X) or @schoolsofsanctuary on Facebook and we will re-share our favourites!

Together, we are building a culture of welcome. If you understand the vital importance of Schools of Sanctuary, please dig deep and help us to spread welcome in schools during these very challenging times. Click here to donate. Thank you.

City of Sanctuary UK is a registered charity, no. 1184613.

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