We are delighted to announced that NES has been awarded the status of a School of Sanctuary which recognises our school as a school of welcome and inclusivity and joins other schools across the Archway Learning Trust and city of Nottingham as Schools of Sanctuary.
The City of Sanctuary movement originated in Sheffield in 2005 and began with a group of people organising a series of local community meetings to garner support for the idea of sanctuary for refugees. Local businesses, organisations and community groups were asked to support a resolution stating that they “welcome asylum seekers and refugees”. Since then, the charitable initiative has seen Sanctuary status being awarded across the UK – from Glasgow to Cornwall and including Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Leading businesses and services in Nottingham have achieved this award including The Nottingham Playhouse. This has grown into the Schools of Sanctuary Movement.
Two school of sanctuary assessors came to visit NES last week and recognised our strong community and hope-filled atmosphere, how staff are passionate in their commitment to the principles of school of sanctuary and justifiably proud of the work in the school to meet the criteria and finally how fantastic our students are at articulating their progress both academically and personally in feeling at home at NES and being part of our community.
