School of Sanctuary

School of Sanctuary

At St Catherine’s Catholic Primary School, we are very proud to be a School of Sanctuary – a place where everyone is welcomed, valued and treated with dignity and respect.

We first received our School of Sanctuary Award in October 2022 in recognition of our commitment to creating a safe, welcoming and inclusive community for all, particularly for children and families who have been forced to leave their homes and seek sanctuary. We are currently continuing our journey as we work towards reaccreditation as a School of Sanctuary.

Our commitment to sanctuary is closely linked to our Catholic ethos and our school motto, “Let your light shine and set the world on fire.” We want our children to understand that each of us has a responsibility to show compassion, stand up for others and make a positive difference in our world.

What does being a School of Sanctuary mean?

Being a School of Sanctuary is not simply an award – it is part of who we are.

Our children learn about refugees, migration and the reasons why people may have to leave their homes. Through our curriculum, assemblies, books, prayer and special events such as Refugee Week, we help children to develop understanding, empathy and respect for others.

We embed a culture of welcome throughout school. We celebrate the different languages, cultures and experiences within our community and work hard to ensure that children and families joining St Catherine’s feel safe, supported and that they truly belong.

We also share our commitment to sanctuary beyond our school gates. Our children are encouraged to use their voices, take action and support others through pupil leadership, our School Council and Mini Vinnies, charitable activities and links with our wider community.

Pupil Voice

Our children play an important part in shaping our School of Sanctuary journey. We listen to their ideas about how we can make our school even more welcoming and inclusive and provide opportunities for them to learn about important issues, challenge stereotypes and stand in solidarity with people seeking sanctuary.

Refugee Week and Beyond

Each year, we take part in Refugee Week, giving children opportunities to learn about the experiences, achievements and contributions of refugees and people seeking sanctuary.

However, our work does not begin and end with Refugee Week. The values of welcome, belonging, compassion, justice and respect are woven throughout our curriculum and the wider life of our school all year round.

Our Journey Continues

We are proud of everything our school community has achieved since receiving our award in 2022, but our Sanctuary journey continues.

As we work towards reaccreditation, which was rewarded in July 2026, we will continue to listen, learn and develop our practice so that St Catherine’s remains a place where everyone knows:

You are welcome here. You are valued here. You belong here.

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