Schools
Healing classrooms
The International Rescue Committee’s Healing Classrooms Programme provides free training and resources to schools and teachers to help them to better support refugee and asylum-seeking children.
Whilst some sessions are available to book online via the Healing Classrooms UK website, most are run with the support of the local authority and available only to schools in that area. This helps to create a network of expertise and a sharing of information between schools with a similar context.
Sessions can be delivered in person or online and each participant will receive a printed handbook in the post. If any local authorities are interested in this free training please reach out to josh.corlett@rescue.org.
Schools of Sanctuary
Why not become a Lancashire School of Sanctuary and be a place of safety and inclusion for all. 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.
Schools awarded this status help pupils, staff, parents and the wider community understand what it means to be seeking sanctuary. 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. 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,
There are three principles to become a School of Sanctuary
- Learn about what it means to be seeking sanctuary
- Take positive action to embed the concepts of welcome, safety and inclusion within your school and the wider community
- Share your vision and achievements – be proud!
Sign up
You will need to take the following steps to become a School of Sanctuary.
Firstly, you will need to find a person who will lead on it at school, who will be a driving force behind it; someone who is enthusiastic and interested. Then:
- Get permission/approval from your head teacher
- Contact the School of Sanctuary Lancashire Lead izabela.zalewska-ratajczak@lancashire.gov.uk
- Sign a pledge which is a public commitment to the City of Sanctuary vision of welcome
- Introduce this initiative to your staff, students, governors
- Review current efforts by conducting an audit and develop an action plan
A starter pack will be sent out to you electronically and meetings will be scheduled in to support you through the process.
When you feel you are ready to go for the award, submit your application and evidence portfolio.
The final step will be a celebration supported by Education Improvement–Equality and Diversity Team.
More information about the School of Sanctuary programme is available on the City of Sanctuary website and also School of Sanctuary Resources page on the LPDS website.
How we can help
Lancashire County Council can help:
- support the school with staff training and awareness around asylum/refugee issues and EAL aspects
- signpost to local community members and organisations supporting inclusiveness
- organise celebration events
- connect schools across the county
- keep an up-to-date record of the best resources to support you through the process
Join us in our Lancashire Schools of Sanctuary network meetings, which will provide you with an opportunity to network with staff from other schools, share ideas and be inspired by each other's experiences.