Our School of Sanctuary Journey

At The Willows Catholic Primary School, we believe that everyone deserves to feel safe, welcomed, respected and valued.

Our school motto, "God loves me, God loves everyone," reminds us that every person is precious and deserving of love, whatever their background, circumstances or experiences.

As a Catholic school, we believe that every human being is made in the image and likeness of God. This belief shapes how we welcome others and how we encourage children to treat everyone with dignity and compassion.

We are proud to be working towards the School of Sanctuary award, strengthening our commitment to creating a community where everyone feels that they belong.

What Is a School of Sanctuary?

A School of Sanctuary is a school that is committed to being a safe and welcoming place for everyone, particularly people who have been forced to leave their homes and seek safety.

People may be displaced because of war, persecution, conflict or other threats to their safety.

The Schools of Sanctuary programme encourages schools to develop understanding of these experiences, challenge misconceptions and build a culture of welcome and belonging.

It also helps children recognise the importance of kindness, empathy, fairness and standing alongside people who may be facing difficult circumstances.

At The Willows, we want every child to understand that we all have a responsibility to help others feel safe, included and respected.

Our Catholic Faith and Sanctuary

Our commitment to sanctuary is closely linked to the teachings of Jesus and the principles of Catholic Social Teaching.

Jesus taught us to love our neighbours and show compassion towards those in need.

Catholic Social Teaching reminds us that every person has dignity, that we belong to one human family and that we have a responsibility to support people who are vulnerable or excluded.

These principles help children understand why welcoming people seeking sanctuary is an important part of living out our faith.

Our aim is to help children recognise that differences should never be a barrier to friendship, respect or belonging.

Learn – Developing Understanding

An important part of our School of Sanctuary journey is helping children learn about the experiences of refugees and people seeking asylum.

Through our curriculum, stories, discussions and opportunities for reflection, we help children explore why people may have to leave their homes and the challenges they can face when beginning life somewhere new.

We encourage children to think carefully about fairness, human rights, identity and belonging.

Learning about different cultures, languages, religions and experiences also helps children appreciate the richness of the world around them.

We aim to develop empathy and understanding while ensuring that learning is appropriate to children's ages and needs.

Above all, we want children to understand that people seeking sanctuary are individuals with their own stories, strengths, hopes and aspirations.

Embed – Making Welcome Part of Everyday Life

Being welcoming means more than simply saying that everyone belongs.

We want our commitment to inclusion to be visible in the daily life of our school.

This means treating others with kindness, respecting differences, challenging prejudice and ensuring that children and families feel listened to and supported.

Our Catholic values guide our approach to relationships, behaviour, safeguarding and pastoral care.

We encourage children to recognise when someone may feel left out, offer friendship and help others feel part of the school community.

As we continue our School of Sanctuary journey, we are reviewing and developing the ways we support belonging and inclusion across school.

We want The Willows to be a place where every child can feel secure, form friendships and thrive.

Share – Spreading Our Message of Welcome

Our commitment to sanctuary extends beyond the classroom.

We want children to recognise that they can make a positive difference through their words, choices and actions.

Through opportunities to share their learning, participate in community activities and support others, pupils develop the confidence to promote kindness, inclusion and respect.

We also seek opportunities to learn from and work with families, community groups and organisations that support people seeking safety.

Our aim is to encourage a wider culture of understanding and compassion, helping children see that everyone has a part to play in creating a welcoming society.

Pupil Voice and Leadership

Children have an important role in helping us develop as a School of Sanctuary.

We encourage pupils to share their ideas about how to make our school more welcoming and inclusive.

Through opportunities for pupil leadership and involvement in school life, children can help identify ways to strengthen friendships, celebrate differences and ensure that everyone feels valued.

We want children to understand that their voices matter and that they can help shape the community in which they learn.

Working Towards the School of Sanctuary Award

Our School of Sanctuary journey is guided by three principles: Learn, Embed and Share.

These encourage us to deepen understanding, strengthen our everyday practice and share our commitment to welcome with the wider community.

Working towards the award gives us an opportunity to reflect on what we already do well and identify how we can improve.

It is not simply about achieving an award. It is about developing a lasting culture in which people seeking safety are welcomed and supported, and everyone understands the importance of compassion and belonging.

We will continue to develop this work as part of our commitment to Catholic Social Teaching and our school mission.

Useful Information and Support

Families who would like information or support can explore the following organisations:

• Schools of Sanctuary – information about the national programme and resources for schools.

• Lancashire County Council – local information about services and support for families.

• Citizens Advice – independent information and guidance on a range of issues.

• Refugee Council – information and support for refugees and people seeking asylum.

Families can also contact our school office if they need help accessing appropriate support.

Everyone Belongs at The Willows

Our School of Sanctuary journey reflects something we want every child to understand: everyone deserves kindness, dignity and respect.

We want children to leave The Willows with an appreciation of the experiences of others, the confidence to challenge unfairness and the compassion to welcome those in need.

Guided by our Catholic faith, we will continue working to build a community where everyone feels safe, included and valued.

God loves me, God loves everyone.