There’s a warm welcome for all at Springwood High School – and that’s official!

Springwood, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust, has been awarded School of Sanctuary status by City of Sanctuary UK, for its work in supporting refugees and asylum seekers.

The school was required to meet a range of criteria to achieve the award, with the application process spearheaded by Personal, Social, Health, and Economic (PSHE) Lead Matt Scoles.

“I witnessed the work that staff were doing supporting Ukrainian children who had sought sanctuary in King’s Lynn and started at Springwood High School, with so much uncertainty about their home and family and friends who were still there,” he explained.

“Over the last two years, we have worked towards this Award, listening to our pupils’ needs, adapting our induction process, and providing support to integrate students into the main school, so they could complete GCSEs with their peers.

“When we applied for the School of Sanctuary Award, Springwood had 518 EAL [English as an Additional Language] students from 31 countries, speaking 44 different languages. Many of them will sit a GCSE in their other language, alongside their normal GCSEs.”

Springwood has become one of around 1,100 nurseries, primaries, secondaries, and sixth forms in the UK to have gained School of Sanctuary status since the scheme was launched in 2004.

Students were actively involved in the process, with the school’s Diversity Council playing a leading role.

“Our Diversity Council met regularly to raise awareness of School of Sanctuary amongst our students, by speaking in assemblies and producing a video of welcome that is now on our website,” continued Mr Scoles. “They also produced resources for the annual Refugee Week and National Day of Welcome.

“Students also support new starters in a buddy system, helping them find their way around the school and to each lesson. This is particularly important for students who speak English as an additional language.”

In addition, refugee and migration themes have been embedded into assemblies and curriculum projects at Springwood, while events such as Black History Month and Pride have helped to promote a culture of diversity and inclusivity across the school.

“This is a nationally recognised award that supports vulnerable children who are starting school in a strange country where they may have very little knowledge of the language,” added Mr Scoles.

“I want every pupil to feel welcome at Springwood, and have the opportunity to succeed and be happy.”