Celebrations as two schools named Schools of Sanctuary

Staff and pupils at two Wolverhampton schools are celebrating after being granted Schools of Sanctuary status, showing they extend a warm welcome to everyone.

Wodensfield Primary School and St Michael's CE Primary School demonstrated to the City of Sanctuary UK movement that they celebrate their diverse communities, and that the School of Sanctuary ethos of welcome, inclusion and safety for all, runs through all aspects of both schools.

St Michael’s headteacher Kathryn Jackson said: "At St Michael’s, we work to deepen our pupils', staff, and wider community’s understanding of what it means to seek sanctuary. We strive to extend a warm welcome to all, fostering a culture where every individual is recognised as an equal and valued member of our school family.

“We are proud to be a school that stands for safety, inclusion, and kindness – a place where everyone belongs."

A Year 6 pupil from Wodensfield added: "The award shows that we are kind and welcome people of all nationalities in our school without discrimination. Being a School of Sanctuary has empowered us to appreciate the richness that celebrating our diversity can bring."

Councillor Jacqui Coogan, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: "We are delighted that we now have 16 Schools of Sanctuary in Wolverhampton, which are all demonstrating the lengths they go to ensure they provide a safe and welcoming place for their children and families. “I would like to congratulate the staff and pupils at both Wodensfield and St Michael's on their achievements.”

Schools can apply to become a School of Sanctuary by demonstrating to City of Sanctuary UK that they have implemented three key principles – learning and helping people understand what it means to be seeking sanctuary, embedding the concepts of safety, welcome and inclusive culture for everyone, and sharing their values and activities with their local communities.

Other Schools of Sanctuary in Wolverhampton include Bantock Primary, Dunstall Hill Primary, Goldthorn Park Primary, Graiseley Primary, Rakegate Primary, St Andrews CofE Primary, St Lukes CofE Primary, St Regis CofE Academy, Stowlawn Primary, St Mary's Catholic Primary Academy, Villiers Primary, West Park Primary, Merridale Primary and Colton Hills Community School.

The Schools of Sanctuary programme is part of the City of Sanctuary UK movement, committed to building a culture of safety and welcome, especially for refugees seeking sanctuary from war and persecution. For more information, please visit https://schools.cityofsanctuary.org/.