School of Sanctuary
Lancashire School of Sanctuary
Why not become a Lancashire School of Sanctuary?
A School of Sanctuary is a school that is committed to being a safe and welcoming place for everyone, especially those seeking sanctuary. They welcome asylum seeking and refugee families into their school community and foster a culture of welcome for all.
This could be people whose lives were in danger in their own country, who have troubles at home or are looking for a place of safety.
Schools awarded this status help pupils, staff, parents and the wider community understand what it means to be seeking sanctuary. They also extend a welcome to everyone as equal, valued members of the school community.
It is for everyone: diverse or homogenous schools, parents, communities, local people and people seeking sanctuary,
It is a school that is proud to be a place of safety and inclusion for all!
There are three simple principles to being a School of Sanctuary
1. Learn about what it means to be seeking sanctuary
2. Take positive action to embed the concepts of welcome, safety and inclusion within your school and the wider community
3. Share your vision and achievements – be proud!
What we can do to help schools
- Support the school with staff training and awareness around asylum/refugee issues and EAL aspects
- Signpost with local community members and organizations supporting inclusiveness
- Connect schools across the county
- Keep an up to date record of the best resources to support you through the process
- Help support the schools through the journey!!
- Starter pack will be sent out to you electronically
- Meetings scheduled in to support
- When you feel you are ready- go for the award!
- Celebration supported by Lancashire EM/GRT Achievement Service
- Enjoy YOUR journey!!!
Lancashire Schools of Sanctuary Network Meetings 2023/2024
Join us in our termly network meetings where we hear from guest speakers, share plans for the coming year, and discuss the accreditation process and leave plenty of time and space for questions and general discussion.
It is an opportunity to network with staff from other schools, share ideas and be inspired by each other's experiences.
To book a place visit:
https://clickquestion.lancashire.gov.uk/runQuestionnaire.asp?qid=894019
Contact details
If you are interested in our help in developing a School of Sanctuary initiative at your school, please contact :
Izabela Zalewska-Ratajczak
izabela.zalewska-ratajczak@lancashire.gov.uk
More information about the School of Sanctuary initiative is available at:
Schools
Congratulation to Brownedge St Mary’s RC High School - our new Lancashire School of Sanctuary! 2023
From L-R: Jeff Morgan, City of Sanctuary National Trustee; Rachael Bowe, Lay Chaplain, Brownedge St Mary’s RC High School; Izabela Zalewska-Ratajczak, Education Improvement–Equality and Diversity Team.
At our latest School of Sanctuary network meeting in October 2023, we celebrated Brownedge St Mary’s RC High School becoming a School of Sanctuary, a special status awarded for developing a culture of inclusiveness and support.The school was presented with a certificate in recognition of their achievement by Jeff Morgan (The City of Sanctuary National Trustee) on behalf of the national City of Sanctuary movement.They joined our Lancashire cohort of Schools of Sanctuary as the twelfth school receiving this status.
Congratulations to our new Schools of Sanctuary 2020!
In January 2020 we celebrated three new schools in Lancashire becoming a School of Sanctuary, a special status awarded for developing a culture of acceptance and support.
Delph Side Community Primary School, Duke Street Primary, Our Lady's Catholic High School have demonstrated that they can create a safe environment that includes everybody in school, regardless of where people come from.
Congratulations to our 3 Lancashire Schools of Sanctuary, January 2019
In January 2019 we celebrated three new schools in Lancashire becoming a School of Sanctuary, a special status awarded for developing a culture of acceptance and support.
The schools were presented with a certificate in recognition of their achievement at a presentation ceremony by Steve Belbin (Head of Service, School Improvement Service) and Jeff Morgan (The City of Sanctuary National Trustee in the North West) on behalf of the National City of Sanctuary movement and Lancashire County Council.
The new Schools of Sanctuary are:
Holy Family Catholic Primary School in Preston
Dallas Road Community Primary School in Lancaster
Earby Springfield Primary.
Read the full article in the word document above
Congratulations to our first Lancashire Schools of Sanctuary, December 2017
English Martyr's Catholic Primary School in Preston
The Cathedral Catholic Primary School in Lancaster
Our Lady's Catholic College in Lancaster
Read the news article in the word document above.
English Martyr'sEnglish Martyr's
Ideas and resources
Refugee Week
Refugee Week is the UK's largest festival celebrating the contribution of refugees and promoting understanding of why people seek sanctuary.
Have you thought about organising Refugee Week at your school ?
Get ready for Refugee Week 2022
20 - 26 June 2022
https://refugeeweek.org.uk/about/
To find out more, visit our Refugee Week page or contact ema.support@lancashire.gov.uk
Please see attached word document for information from:
- The Cathedral Catholic Primary Lancaster
- Our Lady's Catholic College Lancaster
- English Martyrs Catholic Primary School Preston
English Martyrs Catholic Primary, Preston
Cathedral Catholic Primary, Lancaster
Please see the attached document for comments from children, staff, parents and visitors
