From 2023 to 2026 we’ll be working on delivering a Borough of Sanctuary Action Plan which covers a range of themes including Education and Skills.  
 
We know that many schools in the borough have been active for many years in fostering a culture of welcome, supporting displaced families and educating their students about migration. There are plenty of ways to join up this work with the new Borough of Sanctuary programme.
 

Ways to get involved: 
 
There are many ways to get involved, suitable for different school contexts and capacities. 
 
1. Educate children on refugee awareness e.g. an assembly or a lesson plan 
2. Run an activity for Refugee Week: 17 to 23 June 2024  
3. Appoint a school governor of sanctuary  
4. Create a borough wide welcome by working with other schools, local networks and community groups 
 
Then, when you’re ready, apply to become a School of Sanctuary by submitting a sanctuary award application. 
 
St Saviour’s Primary School based in Walthamstow became a School of Sanctuary several years ago and shared the benefits of their experience. Some of their work was recently covered by the BBC.  
 
‘The most important benefit of applying to become a School of Sanctuary is that it educates staff, children and the wider community about issues of displacement. Rather than make quick judgments, children learn facts and reasons for displacement. There is an opportunity for everyone to become knowledgeable, through knowledge you become more understanding and tolerant and with tolerance comes kindness and humanity. Moreover, children also learn why not everyone might agree with refugees coming to the UK and it is important again to unpick this as well with facts.’ 
 
If you have any more questions about Waltham Forest’s Borough of Sanctuary programme or how your school could play a role, please get in touch. 
 
Thomas Stockton 
Borough of Sanctuary Project Manager  
thomas.stockton@walthamforest.gov.uk