Schools of Sanctuary

A School of Sanctuary is a school that is committed to being a safe and welcoming place for all, especially those seeking sanctuary. This could be people whose lives were in danger in their own country, who have troubles at home or are just looking for a space of safety.

A School of Sanctuary is a school that helps its students, 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.

The programme began in Yorkshire, England, and there are now Schools of Sanctuary in Wales and Ireland as well as many English cities and towns, and the resources can be adapted for a variety of school demographics and education systems. We strongly encourage schools to work in partnership with local City of Sanctuary groups and other partner organisations.

If you would like to know more about getting the programme started, please get in touch through the contact page.

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 your school and the wider community.
3. Share your vision and achievements – be proud!

Visit our pages Why become a School of Sanctuary? and How can my school get involved? to find out more and see our Resources page for information and ideas to get you started! Click here to find the list of more than 200 schools who are proud to be a School of Sanctuary. There is probably one near you willing to help you start your journey.

Latest Schools Posts from across the City of Sanctuary Network

• Norwich's Schools of Sanctuary

  Seven local schools have been awarded Sanctuary status so far, with three more set to gain the award in early…

  
  Posted by: Norwich

• Report from the inspirational Midlands regional gathering

  This is a short report from an excellent and inspiring Midlands regional gathering of the City of Sanctuary movement which…

  
  Posted by: City of Sanctuary

• Unlocking Detention 2018

  Unlocking Detention 2018

  
  Posted by: City of Sanctuary

• Latest news from Schools of Sanctuary in Swindon

  Half term already? How did that happen… here’s what our 12 schools in Swindon and Wiltshire are doing to embed…

  
  Posted by: Swindon

• More about Project Get Together [PGT]

  By Sian Cox for HBTSR.

  
  Posted by: Hay, Brecon and Talgarth

• Refugee Week in Birmingham schools

  
  Posted by: Birmingham

• Colchester sixth form college have officially become a College of Sanctuary

  By Adrian Frost, Assistant Principal, 17 July 2018

  
  Posted by:

• Birmingham has Ten Schools of Sanctuary

  
  Posted by: Birmingham

• 11 new Schools of Sanctuary in Belfast!

  Belfast City of Sanctuary has been working closely with the Education Authority of Northern Ireland to support the Schools of…

  
  Posted by: Places of Sanctuary Ireland

• Our first School of Sanctuary celebrated in Bolton

  AS the world faces its biggest refugee crisis since the Second World War, a school in Farnworth has been recognised as a place of sanctuary for those fleeing war and persecution in their homelands.

  Posted by: Bolton