Schools of Sanctuary

What is the Sanctuary UK movement? 

Sanctuary UK is a national movement that promotes welcome, safety, and belonging for people who have been forced to flee their homes. It includes the Schools of Sanctuary programme, which helps schools become safe and inclusive places for all children - especially those seeking sanctuary, such as refugees and asylum seekers.

Norwich is a proud City of Sanctuary, and its local network includes schools, universities, libraries, gardens, and churches - all working together to make the city a welcoming place.

How does being a sanctuary seeker impact children and young people?

By the end of 2022, over 108 million people worldwide had been forcibly displaced, and 40% of them were children and face challenges such as:

• Language barriers
• Mental health struggles
• Social isolation
• Interrupted education
• Financial hardship
• Difficulty accessing support

Many of these children now attend UK schools which can play a vital role in ensuring these children are welcomed and protected so that they feel safe and included and can learn and thrive.

What is a School of Sanctuary? 

If a school is committed to being a place of welcome and safety for everyone, especially sanctuary-seeking pupils and their families they can make a pledge to become a School of Sanctuary via the national platform.

To become a School of Sanctuary, schools must show how they:

• Raise awareness about forced migration and displacement
• Create welcoming and supportive environments for new arrivals
• Promote a culture of inclusion and respect in the wider community

Schools apply through their local Sanctuary Lead, demonstrating the work they have done and evidencing its impact in these areas.  They are expected to join the local network, a community of practitioners working towards similar outcomes.

How does this support schools' statutory duties? 

Becoming a School of Sanctuary helps schools meet key national expectations:

• Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2025: Schools must safeguard all children, including those who may be more vulnerable due to their background or experiences.
• Relationships and sex education and health education (RSHE) 2025 Guidance: Schools are expected to teach about respect, diversity, and mental wellbeing. The updated guidance (effective from 2026) encourages schools to address topics like migration, discrimination, and inclusion.
• Equality Act 2010: Schools must not discriminate and must promote equality for all pupils, regardless of background.

What does the law say? 

Under UK law, refugee and asylum-seeking children and young people of compulsory school age have the same entitlement to full-time education as other children and young people. Schools should not directly inquire about a child's immigration status and have specific legal duties regarding their support for refugees and asylum seekers: 

• Keeping Children Safe in Education is the statutory guidance to which all schools and colleges in England must regard when carrying out their duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. The most recent version came into force in September 2023. 
• Equality Act 2010: advice for schools 
• Statutory Relationships and sex education and health education (RSHE), became compulsory in all English schools from September 2020. Guidance has been published on the subjects and are currently under review. 

The Schools of Sanctuary Resource Pack provides information on the requirements on schools, and discusses relevant recent developments. 

Why should schools join the network?

Working towards the School of Sanctuary award helps schools:

• Build a culture of welcome and safety
• Improve mental health and wellbeing
• Support learning and engagement
• Promote empathy and understanding
• Meet legal and curriculum requirements
• Access free resources, training, and networks
• Encourage active citizenship and social responsibility

Support in Norfolk

In Norfolk, schools can access support through the Equalities, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (EDIB) graduated offer graduated offer. This includes: 

• Training and resources to help staff support sanctuary-seeking pupils
• Help with tackling misinformation and promoting empathy
• A Padlet designed to help schools starting their sanctuary journey: resources to use with new arrivals, curriculum contents, case studies, book lists etc
• Advice from the Schools of Sanctuary Local Lead and support from the Norfolk Schools of Sanctuary network

Want to get involved?

• Visit the national  Schools of Sanctuary website to find out more about how undertaking this work could improve your schools' culture and curriculum and share your intentions with Senior Leadership Team (SLT).
• Plan related national events such as Refugee Week and A Day of Welcome into your school calendar.
• After securing whole school commitment, make your School of Sanctuary pledge here and your Local Lead will get in touch to explore next steps.