We are a School of Sanctuary

Newman Catholic College is a School of Sanctuary. We are a school that is committed to being a safe and welcoming place for all, especially those seeking sanctuary. This could be people whose lives were in danger in their own country, who have troubles at home or are just looking for a space of safety. We are also recognised as a Refugee Welcome School.

A School of Sanctuary is a school that helps its students, staff and wider community understand what it means to be seeking sanctuary and to extend a welcome to everyone as equal, valued members of the school community. It is a school that is proud to be a place of safety and inclusion for all.

In our feedback from our appraisal Ben Margolis, South East, Eastern and Central Regional Coordinator said

"One behalf of the City of Sanctuary network I want to congratulate you on being recognised as a School of Sanctuary! 

I have read dozens of applications from schools applying to be Schools of Sanctuary, and visited many of them, and I have rarely if ever seen such an embedded commitment from a school to being a place of sanctuary that we saw at Newman Catholic College. The focus group with students in particular will stay with me - to hear children of any background at any school talking of feeling part of a family, and so welcomed and supported, is a joyful experience.

We are also grateful for the active role you are playing in Brent Borough of Sanctuary and your commitment to supporting other schools and places of worship working towards being recognised as places of sanctuary. We very much look forward to working with you on this and to building a culture of welcome across Brent…and elsewhere."

Read the article below about the award.

https://brent.cityofsanctuary.org/2019/06/24/newman-catholic-college-awarded-school-of-sanctuary

Who is involved in the School of Sanctuary?

Working towards becoming a School of Sanctuary involves the whole school:

• Governors are fully supportive of our commitment as a school community to work towards School of Sanctuary status.
• Staff are involved in the delivery of an excellent curriculum which supports this ethos.
• Our Student Council are actively working on initiatives to enable us to be awarded School of Sanctuary status.
• Parents are informed of the work surrounding the School of Sanctuary accreditation via the website , twitter and 'The Newman' newsletter.
• We are continuing to engage with the wider community which we serve. 
• We focus specifically on learning about refugees and asylum seekers during Tutor Time sessions.

https://schools.cityofsanctuary.org/