Joy as two more schools become Schools of Sanctuary

Two more schools in Wolverhampton are celebrating after being named 'Schools of Sanctuary' by demonstrating they extend a warm welcome to everyone.

SS Peter and Paul Catholic Primary School and St Teresa's Catholic Primary Academy showed assessors from 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.

Achieving the School of Sanctuary status is the culmination of dedicated and ongoing efforts to ensure that every child, staff member and family feels represented, included, and valued.

SS Peter and Paul Catholic Primary is home to a vibrant and multicultural student body, with children who speak 29 different languages. In school, the focus on inclusion is deeply embedded within the curriculum and personal development programmes, ensuring that the diverse cultural backgrounds of students are celebrated and valued.

Principal Jenny Byrne said: “We are thrilled to be recognised for our dedication to creating an environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, heard and encouraged in personal development.

“To be recognised as a school that truly welcomes everyone is not only a proud moment for us but also an important step in our ongoing mission. We are honoured to be part of a growing number of schools in Wolverhampton that are committed to ensuring all children, regardless of their background, are a valued part of our school community.”

Staff and pupils at St Teresa's have also been working closely with City of Sanctuary advisors to achieve the award, inviting pupils to join its team of ‘young interpreters’ who are utilising their training to support children who need support speaking and reading English when they first join St Teresa’s.

And there is double cause for celebration at St Teresa's, as the school has also undergone a successful assessment via the Catholic School Inspection framework (CSI). The report was published recently and highlights how ‘pupils at St Teresa’s are a credit to their families and the school. Their behaviour is exemplary'.

Inspectors also found that staff ‘work in a way that is always striving for excellence. This greatly benefits learners’, while they also noted the culture of welcome and ‘sanctuary’ ethos, commenting that 'the level of pastoral care provided for pupils is outstanding. The school community shows care and understanding for a broad range of people in need locally, nationally, and globally.’

Principal Stacy McHale said: "Our small primary school has a big heart and I am delighted that this has been recognised recently. We are proud to be a beautifully diverse community with a strong culture of welcome."

The two schools have joined a select group of educational institutions across the city that have achieved School of Sanctuary accreditation, further solidifying Wolverhampton’s reputation as a place of inclusion and sanctuary for all.

Other Schools of Sanctuary 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, Wodensfield Primary School, St Michael's CE Primary School and Colton Hills Community School.

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 18 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."

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.

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/.

Pupils at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Primary School join Principal Jenny Byrne and the City of Wolverhampton Council Citizenship, Literacy and Language Advisory Teacher Claire Sumner to celebrate receiving School of Sanctuary status.