Our Schools and Colleges of Sanctuary Coordinator Kate shares her thoughts on the first day of a new term.

I definitely felt those first-day-back nerves this morning as I dropped my own children at school. One was as keen as anything to run through the door (especially because it was ‘Roast of the Day’ on the dinner menu), but the other would definitely have preferred to stay at home.

Luckily, he bumped into his best friend on the walk up, and they ran happily into school together.

But for many of the children we work with in Bradford, their first day at school could be any day of the term.

Imagine starting at a new school when you’ve only been in the country for a few weeks and barely know the language.

Imagine not having friends to help you through the door in the morning.

Imagine having witnessed the unimaginable, having to uproot your life and then everything is suddenly unfamiliar, from the food you eat, to the way lessons are taught, to the rules and expectations of school.

We see families seeking sanctuary arriving in Bradford every week. And we also see schools stepping up to meet the challenges they face in creative, kind and wonderful ways. I mean, imagine arriving at school to meet the wonderful smiling faces of the children at Atlas Primary School who made welcome cards for you (see photo below), and had even written hello in your own language!

Many of these schools are part of our Schools of Sanctuary network in Bradford, some already hold the School of Sanctuary Award and others are working towards it.

The School of Sanctuary Award recognises schools for their good practice in creating safe and inclusive environments, building understanding and empathy towards people seeking safety, and working collaboratively to strengthen the welcome offered to refugee children and families. This isn’t just nice or fluffy stuff. Because we’ve seen the difference these practices can make to a young person: life-changing.

We’re proud to work with many schools across Bradford and we’re really looking forward to welcoming new schools into the network this academic year.

Thank you to teachers and all the staff making this stuff happen! Have a great start to the term everyone.