Wishing you all a wonderful 2025!

As always, we are hitting the ground running at Schools of Sanctuary HQ - and know that you all will be in schools too.

In case you missed it, we are incredibly proud to share our annual impact report for Schools of Sanctuary 2023/24.

This report demonstrates how we continue to grow and highlights  the essential role our amazing network of Local Leads play in supporting schools within their local area, whilst also suggesting areas for us to improve. Most importantly though, this report makes clear the positive impact a school's achievement of the Schools of Sanctuary award has on improving school provision and practice, building understanding and empathy amongst learners and fostering school cultures of belonging; as well as helping schools build meaningful connections in their local areas to stand in solidarity with people seeking safety. A massive thank you to all the schools awarded last year who responded to our survey - and roll on this year, where hopefully we can have an even BIGGER impact.

But before we get ahead of ourselves...

The start of December saw the fall of Bashar Al-Assad and whilst for many Syrians who have sought safety in the UK, this may be a a huge relief and cause for celebration, it has also brought new uncertainty and anxieties both as the future of Syria remains unclear and with the UK government's new stance on Syrians in the asylum system. With the Home Office pausing decisions on Syrian asylum seekers claims, they are now in limbo and unable to plan for a safe future in the UK.

Whether still waiting for a decision or already having refugee status, this new development is likely to be an incredibly emotional time for Syrians, so bear this in mind for learners, staff and community members in your school. Whilst it's important to check in and let them know you are there if they want to talk about anything, avoid making assumptions about how they might feel or what they might want to do moving forward. 

City of Sanctuary UK signed a joint letter to the Home Secretary alongside over 700 other organisations asking her office to urgently reconsider their decision. We will continue to keep you posted with any information that will help you effectively support Syrians in your school communities.

Read on for the rest of the newsletter - including news from schools, some exciting opportunities especially for those in London and Manchester, and more!

Kind regards,
Megan, Programme Manager - Schools of Sanctuary
megan@cityofsanctuary.org

We're delighted to welcome Bellfield Junior School, English Martyrs' RC Primary School, (Birmingham); St Stephen's CE Primary,
Hoyle Court Primary (Bradford); St Albert's Catholic Primary School (Knowsley); Heartsease Primary Academy, Clover Hill VA Infant and Nursery School, St Michael's VA Junior School (Norfolk); and Wodensfield Primary School (Wolverhampton) as our newest Schools of Sanctuary.

We also warmly celebrate the reaccreditation of Somerville Primary School, (Birmingham); Holy Cross Primary (Sutton Coldfield); and Goldthorn Park Primary (Wolverhampton).

Award Coverage

• Fenham primary named School of Sanctuary - Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle

Click here find out more about the awards process.

• 14th January @ 4pm: Supporting Refugee Children in School (REUK)
• 14th, 21st, 28th Jan @9.30am: Healing Classrooms Training (IRC)
• 14th, 21st, 28th Jan @ 4pm: Healing Classrooms [EYFS] (IRC)
• 20th January @ 3.40pm: A Spotlight on 'Finding My Voice' (Giglets)
• 24th January: International Day of Education
• 27th January: Holocaust Memorial Day
• 4th, 11th, 21st Feb @ 4pm: Healing Classrooms Training (IRC)
• 5th February @ 4pm: Enabling Access to Education for Young People Seeking Sanctuary (Schools of Sanctuary)
• 10th-14th February: Together with Refugees Valentine's Day Collective Action (see below for detail)
• 13th February @ 4pm: How can schools support EAL learners arriving from Year 9 and beyond? (Bell Foundation)
• 21st February: World Mother Language Day
• 27th February @ 3.40pm: A Spotlight on 'Language Friendly Schools' (Giglets)
• 3rd March: #LetAfghanGirlsLearn! Webinar for 14-18 year olds (NE Festival of Languages)
• Ongoing Training: Understanding Multilingual Children's Language Development (Future Learn)

Show your heart for refugees this Valentine's Day!

At the start of February, join the hundreds of people, organisations and institutions (including schools!) who are coming together to show their support for people seeking seeking sanctuary and urge others across the UK to lead with shared values of kindness and fairness in our treatment of people who have been forced to flee. 

Your school can get involved in a number of ways: 

1. Create a display of kindness by using the orange heart ‘Together with Refugees’ symbol. This could be a whole-class, or whole-school activity where students share their thoughts and feelings.
2. Raise money or support your local refugee charity - helping those seeking safety in your local area.
3. Write letters of welcome - send messages of love and solidarity to people seeking sanctuary in our communities in creative greeting cards. You can then display these cards at your school or send them to your local refugee organisation to share with people seeking sanctuary.
4. Collaborate with another local institution like a faith setting, library, college or university to make a collective display of kindness for people seeking sanctuary – helping to send a clear message that our communities believe in welcome.

Want to learn more and get involved?

Complete this short form to access our 2025 Show Your Heart Toolkit for schools and help us see how many schools get involved. Thank you!

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.