Bluecoat Wollaton has recently received the School of Sanctuary award. In order to achieve the School of Sanctuary award, the academy demonstrated the inclusive and welcoming environment that our staff and students work hard to create and embed, as well as planning for our continued commitment to further developing our education about, and celebration of, sanctuary seekers.  This is a fantastic testimony to the hard work and commitment of our dedicated staff and students of the school.

The School of Sanctuary assessors commented that: “We were all very moved by the supportive and calm atmosphere of the school and by the enthusiasm and positivity of the delightful pupils we met. This is a school which obviously works solidly together to provide a safe, welcoming and supportive space for all its pupils and staff and is particularly successful in creating a multi-cultural and inclusive community.  The school has aspirations and detailed plans on ways to develop and expand on this in the future.”

What is a School of Sanctuary?

Schools of Sanctuary is an initiative to celebrate the good practice of schools who foster a culture of welcome and inclusion for all, especially asylum seeking and refugee families. Schools of Sanctuary offers a way to further educate the whole school community about the human right to sanctuary and engage with sanctuary seekers and families in their local communities. The aim is to create a safe environment that includes everybody in a school, regardless of people’s background, ethnicity, faith or gender. Schools that are committed to welcome and inclusion can apply for an award from the City of Sanctuary movement.

Who are City of Sanctuary?

City of Sanctuary UK’s mission is to support the network of groups and Streams of Sanctuary and to contribute towards building a sanctuary movement. In practical terms, they work to build a culture of welcome, hospitality and inclusiveness right across every sphere and sector of society, so that wherever people seeking sanctuary go they will feel safe, find people who welcome them and understand why they are here, and have opportunities to be included in all activities.

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