A School of Sanctuary is 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.

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.

A school which is a School of Sanctuary is promoting peace and the programme offers learning opportunities around human rights, social justice, diversity and interdependence, race equality and community cohesion, welcome and inclusion.

Cardinal Wiseman school has played  a significant part in the Sanctuary school movement across Coventry schools that has been working together in the countdown to our City of Culture 2021 celebrations and beyond.

The EMAS team, City of Sanctuary, Coventry Cathedral colleagues, and many others, are aiming to build the growth of Sanctuary Schools in Coventry in order to locally and nationally recognise the amazing work that some Coventry schools are already doing and to encourage more to do so.  EMAS have developed a range of activities and resources to support schools and we have held several meetings with Coventry schools, both primary and secondary, which are actively working towards achieving the Schools of Sanctuary award by summer 2020. Continued sharing of great practice across the city and through social media will be central to the project.

If you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact Leanne Cameron, Senior Teacher of EMAS, who is based at Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School (Leanne.Cameron@coventry.gov.uk).

More information in our database.