School of Sanctuary

Atkinson Road Primary Academy is proud to have achieved the School of Sanctuary Award. As a school, we are committed to being a safe and welcoming place for everyone, especially those children and families 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 place of safety. A School of Sanctuary helps children, 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.

Schools of Sanctuary is an initiative which aims to:

• promote positive attitudes within schools and their communities around people seeking sanctuary
• support schools to take positive steps and to be proud of being places of safety and inclusion for all
• recognise and celebrate schools that are committed to welcoming and supporting people seeking sanctuary

We are committed to ensuring that our children learn and understand what it means to be seeking sanctuary and the difficulties asylum seekers and refugees face. Our curriculum ensures that there are opportunities to learn, understand and take actions around the themes of human rights as well as diversity, inclusion, refuge and migration. We are a school that is proud to be a place of safety and inclusion for all and takes action to support the emotional health and wellbeing of its children. We meet the needs of our children and parents by listening, helping, including and taking action when necessary to provide a safe and happy place.

Useful links:

Amnesty InternationalRed Cross

Refugee Council

City of Sanctuary

Schools of Sanctuary

North East Festival of Languages 2023