What is a School of Sanctuary?A School of Sanctuary is a school that helps its pupils, 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. Meersbrook bank Primary School is committed to being a welcoming and safe place for all. We are not just a sanctuary for those whose lives were in danger in their own country, but to all pupils who are experiencing difficulties at home or are just needing a place to feel secure and safe. We feel that we provide a nurturing environment for our children, and that we take time to ensure we are doing all we can for our children in order that they feel settled and happy. We have signed the pledge to show that we support the ‘City of Sanctuary’ vision that the UK will be a welcoming place of safety for all and proud to offer sanctuary to people fleeing violence and persecution. |
What is a refugee?A refugee is someone who has been forced to leave their country due to persecution, war or violence. |
What is an asylum seeker?An asylum seeker is someone seeking international protection because their country is unsafe. |
What has inspired us to apply for School of Sanctuary status?
Meersbrook bank Primary School is an inclusive school which welcomes children and families from a variety of backgrounds and cultures. The process of applying to be a School of Sanctuary allowed us to focus on the experience of arriving at school as a refugee or asylum seeker.
#
We are committed to ensuring that our children and families, staff and the community understand what it means to be seeking sanctuary and the struggles asylum seekers and refugees face. We extend a warm welcome to everyone as equal, valued members of our school community.
#
We are committed to ensuring that our children and families, staff and the community understand what it means to be seeking sanctuary and the struggles asylum seekers and refugees face. We extend a warm welcome to everyone as equal, valued members of our school community.
The key principles of being a School of Sanctuary
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 concepts of welcome, safety and inclusion within school and the wider community.
3. Share your vision and achievements – be proud!
1. Learn about what it means to be seeking sanctuary.
2. Take positive action to embed concepts of welcome, safety and inclusion within school and the wider community.
3. Share your vision and achievements – be proud!
Sheffield: A City of SanctuaryIn September 2007, Sheffield became the first ‘City of sanctuary’. Its aim is to build a culture of hospitality for people seeking sanctuary in the UK and create a network of places throughout the country, which are proud to be places of safety for people seeking sanctuary and helping them integrate into their local communities. See this website: https://schools.cityofsanctuary.org/ for more information. We are very proud to be applying to become part of such a positive and welcoming network. We would welcome any suggestions or ideas parents may have as we continue our School of Sanctuary journey. |
|
What does this mean in day to day life in our school?
- We learn about refugees and asylum seekers in class.
- We celebrate Refugee week each June.
- We talk about people seeking sanctuary in assemblies.
- We support charities which in turn support refugees in the UK and abroad.
- We learn about different languages spoken in our school community.
- We welcome everyone from children to adults working in school.
- We share books about people seeking sanctuary.
- We support new arrivals to our school, signposting to local services and organisations.
- We translate written materials for our parents.