Holy Family is proudly working towards being recognised as a School of Sanctuary. This means that we are committed to being a safe and welcoming place for all who are seeking refuge. Our aim is to ensure that pupils, staff and the wider community are welcomed and treated as equal and valued members of our school family.

Refuge does not only mean refugees! To seek refuge can include people that are joining our school for the first time from another school, maybe speak a different language at home or have needed to get to a new place of safety. What we want to offer, here at Holy Family, is a safe and welcoming environment for all.

The work we do is based on Matthew 25:35-40

³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Our broad curriculum, including RHSE, already provides so many opportunities for our pupils to develop their understanding on the various reasons why people are forced to seek refuge. Therefore, we will continue to enhance opportunities for pupils, staff and families to learn, embed and celebrate all that we do in our school, to provide a safe and inclusive environment for all.

If you would like to know more about School of Sanctuary, please visit their website https://schools.cityofsanctuary.org