Two church schools in North Tyneside have been awarded Schools of Sanctuary status – recognising their solidarity with and welcome for people seeking safety from war and persecution.
Christ Church C of E Primary School at North Shields, and St Peter’s C of E Primary at Wallsend, have received the title from City of Sanctuary UK, a national network of organisations and services which welcome and support refugees and those seeking asylum.
The two church schools are among five in North Tyneside to receive the status, following work over the past year with the Wallsend-based refugee support charity Walking With, and North Tyneside Learning Trust.
David Baldwin, a local lead for Schools of Sanctuary in North Tyneside alongside Clare Campbell, said the schools have embraced the opportunity to get involved.
“They have been an absolute joy to work with,” he said. “There is such a caring, inclusive feeling the moment you walk through the door. That has been evident in supporting the children’s understanding and the children being at the heart of this process.
“They have had a lot of good things to say about their schools – but they have also understood why people are being forced to migrate. The children have met people with lived experience, not just talking to them about the reasons for having to migrate, but about them as real people with real talents.”
Gill Booth, Interim Director of Education for the Dioceses of Durham and Newcastle commented, “As Church of England schools, our vision is for all children to flourish and to work together for the common good of the whole community. The Schools of Sanctuary status aligns so well with our vision as it specifically welcomes children and their families into local schools who need a haven from war and persecution. I am delighted that two of our Church Schools have been successful in achieving this award having seen at first hand the impact that this has already had. The children and staff in both schools are very proud of the difference that they are making and are keen to continue to listen compassionately and to learn from one another.”
In addition to the two Church of England schools, three other schools in North Tyneside have been awarded the status – Marine Park and Rockliffe first school in Whitley Bay, and St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Forest Hall.
They have all been supported by five schools which became Schools of Sanctuary last year – John Spence Community High, Marden High, Norham High (all North Shields), Richardson Dees Primary, and St Columba’s Catholic Primary (both Wallsend).
David said they will all be ready to mentor a new group of schools from September 2024 as the schools network continues to grow.
He added that a refugee at one of the new Schools of Sanctuary had explained how they came to the country afraid and unable to speak English – but the school had helped them so much, with new friends, understanding and kindness.
A pupil at one of the schools explained how they enjoyed being a buddy to new arrivals at their school - helping to show them around, making sure they know where things are and helping them to make friends.
The child added: “We have been to visit Walking With and got involved in storytelling as well as helping to raise money at school by making and selling tiffin at school. I am looking forward to helping other schools become schools of sanctuary.”
Joan Hoult, the CEO of Walking With in Wallsend said: “We are so proud of these schools. They have all supported the work we do here at Walking With and have learnt so much in the process.”
Megan Greenwood, the Schools of Sanctuary National Coordinator - UK said: “Clare Campbell and David Baldwin launched the local Schools of Sanctuary programme in 2022 and have established a highly successful and supportive Schools of Sanctuary network in North Tyneside.
“Working with school leaders, teachers and community members, they felt it was important for young people in local schools to learn about why people seek sanctuary to build understanding and empathy and to ensure that every child, including those seeking sanctuary, feels safe, valued and supported to succeed in school.
“By going through the Schools of Sanctuary process, these five new schools double the number of Schools of Sanctuary in North Tyneside - together they contribute to building a culture where everyone feels safe and welcomed in our community and every child is able to thrive, including those who have faced the terrible experience of fleeing their homes. We are proud to recognise them as our newest Schools of Sanctuary in North Tyneside.”
Kehri Ellis, the CEO of North Tyneside Learning Trust said: “I’m delighted that four North Tyneside Learning Trust schools were the first schools in the region to secure Schools of Sanctuary status last year and we have been able to build on that achievement this year with a further five schools securing the award. As a trust we are committed to ensuring all schools welcome and celebrate diversity within the student population and Schools of Sanctuary demonstrates our strong commitment to this important goal.”
Elsewhere in Newcastle Diocese, several other schools have also teamed up with City of Sanctuary UK.
Central Walker CE Primary School in Newcastle was awarded the status in October 2022, followed by St Paul’s CE Primary in the city in September 2023. Christ Church CE Primary in Newcastle is currently working towards the status.
As well as schools, City of Sanctuary UK’s network of organisations includes councils, universities, theatres and libraries – all of which welcome and support refugees and people seeking asylum.
There are currently over 400 awarded schools, colleges and nurseries, all are committed to providing support to the thousands of young people seeking sanctuary in the UK and creating a culture of welcome and inclusion for all refugees and people seeking asylum.