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 processes 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

• Join us for opening night of art exhibition

  Gain a sneak preview to an art exhibition at Open

  
  Posted by: Norwich

• Schools of Sanctuary Network Consultation

  On Saturday 23 March, CoS volunteers and coordinators from across the Yorkshire & Humberside region joined Colleen Molloy, National Development…

  
  Posted by: City of Sanctuary

• The global refugee crisis: schools take a closer look

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TO4mYKheN8M&t=2sNorfolk Welcomes’ is a day of action in June which aims to help teachers engage children in the complex issues…

  
  Posted by: Norwich

• Mothers Telling Their Stories

  It is always a joy to go to West Park Primary School, the first City of Sanctuary School in Wolverhampton,…

  
  Posted by: Arts

• Refugee Week 2019

  We are looking for events to add to our Refugee Week programme.  Refugee Week runs from 17th-23rd June and the…

  
  Posted by: Preston

• A Mother's Story

  We were recently involved in the campaign to prevent the closure of the English an as Additional Language Service across…

  
  Posted by:

• Six new Schools of Sanctuary in Salford

  Six Salford primary schools have become Schools of Sanctuary for the first time by showing a genuine commitment to welcoming…

  
  Posted by: Schools

• Preston’s Second School of Sanctuary!

  We were delighted to see Holy Family Catholic Primary School in Ingol awarded their School of Sanctuary status this month. 

  
  Posted by: Preston

• EALS Campaign Success! February 2019

  Alex Kempton, Lead for Media and Communications

  
  Posted by:

• Wales - Nation of Sanctuary - Welsh Government Launch Refugee & Asylum Seeker Plan

  Welsh Government Launch Refugee & Asylum Seeker Plan

  
  Posted by: City of Sanctuary