School of Sanctuary

Our pledge to the City of Sanctuary:

“We support the ‘City of Sanctuary’ vision that the UK will be a welcoming place of safety for all, and we are proud to offer sanctuary to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We endorse the City of Sanctuary Charter, and agree to act in accordance with City of Sanctuary values and apply the network principles within our work.

We recognise the contribution of people seeking sanctuary. Sanctuary seekers are welcomed, included and supported within our context.

We also support our local City of Sanctuary group in Preston. 

 

What is a School of Sanctuary?

Schools of Sanctuary is a growing network with more than 1200 primary and secondary schools, nurseries and sixth forms all committed to creating a culture of welcome, understanding and belonging for those forced to flee. We create a culture of welcome, and raise awareness of the issues faced by refugees and asylum seekers.

Driven by teachers, school staff, parents, governors and community groups, the School of Sanctuary network supports the thousands of young people seeking sanctuary in the UK, raising awareness of the issues facing people in the asylum system, challenging misconceptions and building social cohesion.

This growing network is supported by the umbrella organisation City of Sanctuary UK (CoS UK).

 

St Peter's School

At St Peter’s, we are committed to ensuring that all staff, children and members of our school community understand the struggles and challenges faced by refugees and asylum seekers. We aim to welcome families of all backgrounds into our community and provide a place of sanctuary for any families who have had to flee their homes for many different reasons.

By achieving 'School of Sanctuary' status and ensuring that we work closely with the Preston City of Sanctuary team, we are able to educate the children that we teach to ensure that they are accepting and welcoming of the increasingly diverse community that we serve.

The City of Sanctuary UK

Preston City of Sanctuary is part of a national movement dedicated to building a culture of welcome for people seeking sanctuary in the UK. The aim is to create a network of people and organisations right across the city, united in making our city more welcoming, open and fair for all, by creating a platform for collaboration, dialogue and mutual opportunities.

We are a part of a network of volunteers, professionals, statutory, voluntary and faith organisations, together with asylum seekers and refugees living in our city. We are committed to supporting the new citizens and our multicultural communities with the two-way integration process.

 

The City of Sanctuary UK organisation and its networks are guided and informed by a commitment to the following values:

Inclusiveness: We welcome and respect people from all backgrounds and place the highest value on diversity and are committed to equality.

Openness: We are committed to a culture of working collaboratively within the network and in partnership with others.

Participation: Those who support our vision, work together with people seeking sanctuary. We value and recognise the contribution of all involved. We aspire to ensure people seeking sanctuary are fully involved in decision-making processes and supported to become leaders within the City of Sanctuary organisation and network as well as the wider movement.

Inspiration: We work with enthusiasm and positivity and are determined to surpass what has already been achieved to welcome refugees and people seeking sanctuary. We act as a catalyst for change by being open to new and innovative ideas and through sharing knowledge gained with others and working in partnership.

Integrity: We aspire to high standards of honesty and behaviour, and always act in the interests of people seeking sanctuary.

No Place Like Home

We are taking part in the Sanctuary Foundation's art and poetry competition, 'No Place Like Home.' The children have been asked to reflect on what life is like for the 43.3 million children around the world who are displaced and to produce a piece of artwork or poetry which represents this.