Bradford schools awarded Schools of Sanctuary for refugee support

The award recognises excellent practice and provision in supporting refugees and people seeking asylum as well as ensuring that a culture of welcome, safety and inclusion is embedded throughout all areas of school life.

Schools awarded during Refugee Week this year include: Eastwood Community School, Atlas Community Primary, Lilycroft Primary, St Cuthbert and The First Martyrs’ Catholic Primary, St Joseph’s Catholic Primary and Lapage Primary and Nursery School.

Schools and Colleges of Sanctuary support the thousands of young people seeking sanctuary across the UK and aim to raise awareness of the issues facing people in the asylum system in education settings.

Kate Hart, Project Co-ordinator for Bradford Schools and Colleges of Sanctuary, says: “We see such inspirational practices in place in schools and colleges throughout the Bradford district to support new arrivals including refugees and people seeking asylum.

“Many have had traumatic journeys with their families; others might arrive unaccompanied and have very difficult lives here in the UK. From practical provisions and parent ESOL classes, to exceptional pastoral care and trauma-informed teaching approaches in the classroom, all of these methods and activities support these pupils to integrate better into school communities and access the education they need.”

Adds Kate: “Creating school and college communities which are welcoming, empathetic and understanding is also so important to build community cohesion. We support all staff and pupils to challenge misconceptions they might have and increase their awareness of the some of the difficulties people seeking sanctuary face.

“We run activities such as lessons, staff training, critical thinking workshops, assemblies, social action projects and creative, awareness-raising projects.”

Teachers and the Schools of Sanctuary team at Eastwood Community School (Image: City of Sanctuary)

There are around 48 schools and colleges across the Bradford district which are supported by the project and 17 are currently awarded. These awarded schools and colleges join a national network of more than 450 schools and colleges all committed to creating a culture of welcome and inclusion for refugees and people seeking asylum across the UK.

The Peel Park Get Together was held during Refugee Week (Image: City of Sanctuary)

Refugee Week is the world’s largest arts and culture festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary. Events in the district included a Peel Park Get Together, an annual event celebrating Refugee Week, and a school assembly at Lilycroft Primary, where Furaha Mussanzi shared her story of coming to Bradford as a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Furaha Mussanzi shares her story of coming to Bradford as a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo (Image: Bradford City of Sanctuary)

* The awards project is part of the work of Bradford City of Sanctuary.

To find out more go to bradford.cityofsanctuary