Pupils Lead with Kindness and Show Politicians How It Should Be Done

A group of children at Schools of Sanctuary in Birmingham have sent drawings of cartoons and other pictures to Kent after cheerful murals were painted over.

In early July, Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick ordered pictures of Mickey Mouse painted over in an asylum reception centre for children who arrive separated from their families, reportedly because it was ‘too welcoming’.

On hearing about this in the news, students at St Dunstan’s and St Gerard’s Primary Schools in Birmingham talked with their teachers about how they thought this was cruel. They decided to draw their own colourful pictures and write messages to send to the centre to show kindness to these new arrivals.

Hugo, aged eight, said: “When I heard it, it made me feel ashamed of my country because they’re making the children’s centre less welcoming.” He said he wanted the children to “recognise they are not alone” and that “there are other people that are with them”.

People across the UK have been wow-ed by these students’ compassion and kindness and we are so pleased that their efforts have been recognised in the national press.