Latest news with #SchoolOfSanctuary
BBC News
5 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Schools targeted in 'simply untrue' online campaign
Claims that some schools in Northern Ireland are asking pupils to write Valentine's cards to refugees or asylum seekers are "entirely inaccurate".That is according to the Education Authority (EA), which facilitates the School of Sanctuary scheme in Northern Ireland.A widely-circulated social media post claimed that, as part of the scheme, schools were getting children to write Valentine's Day cards to adult named a number of schools in Northern Ireland who took part in the scheme. What is the School of Sanctuary Scheme? The School of Sanctuary scheme - which is supported by the Northern Ireland Executive - aims to support schools to become welcoming places for all children, including newcomer children.A School of Sanctuary is one which provides significant additional support to pupils, including refugees and first in Northern Ireland was named in 2017, and over 40 have been awarded the status since John the Baptist College in Portadown recently became the first outside Belfast or Londonderry to achieve the accreditation. What have Schools of Sanctuary in Northern Ireland told parents? The principal of Integrated College, Glengormley, Ricky Massey, wrote to parents to state that the online claims were "simply not true".In his letter, Mr Massey mentioned claims on social media that Schools of Sanctuary "are encouraging pupils to write letters or Valentine's cards to refugees or asylum seekers - including suggestions that this could involve 'unvetted men.'"He said: "I want to reassure you in the strongest possible terms, this has never happened at Integrated College Glengormley." He said they school has never been asked or instructed by any organisation to carry out such activities."This would never happen," he Massey said safeguarding and child protection was at the "heart of everything" they do."The welfare of our pupils is our first priority, and any activity in our school is subject to the highest safeguarding standards."Please be assured - there is no cause for anxiety about your child's wellbeing in relation to these claims," he said. 'Genuinely held concerns' Taughmonagh Primary School in Belfast also sent a letter to parents of pupils, telling them that social media "information circulating in relation to our school is factually incorrect"."We would ask for our school community's support in stopping the spread of misinformation online," the letter letter outlined how the school has stringent safeguarding processes and this allegation on the Facebook group is "contrary to our policies".The Belfast DUP councillor Sarah Bunting criticised what she called "the spreading of these online rumours, made up and posted by faceless, nameless strangers". What has the EA and School of Sanctuary said? In a statement to BBC News NI, the EA said it was aware that some schools had been targeted online. "We consider this information to be entirely inaccurate and condemn the spread of misinformation in the strongest terms," the statement of Sanctuary UK said it was "not directly involved in the delivery of specific activities in schools".It said that while there had been "mention of a Valentine's Day welcome card initiative," where children wrote anonymised messages of welcome to people seeking safety, "we have full confidence that schools and teachers organise age-appropriate activities and follow rigorous safeguarding procedures to ensure every child's safety during such activities".
BBC News
07-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
County Armagh: Wardrobe helps school achieve 'sanctuary' status
A "walk-in wardrobe" has helped a County Armagh school to become a School of John the Baptist's College, in Portadown, is the one of the first outside Belfast or Londonderry to achieve the accreditation.A School of Sanctuary is one which provides significant additional support to pupils, including refugees and others who need a place of Stacey Rodgers said that being a School of Sanctuary was "much more than a title, it represents a culture of welcome". BBC News NI had visited St John the Baptist's College in Portadown when it was preparing its bid for the school, in which 23 different languages spoken by pupils, has now been notified that it has achieved School of Sanctuary Rodgers said that had involved a detailed process, an external assessment and an action plan to make the school "a more inclusive and welcoming environment."The School of Sanctuary assessment team also spoke to pupils during a visit to the school."It was a rigorous enough process," Ms Rodgers told BBC News NI. 'Rigorous process' "We went about changing our signage, making sure than signage was available in all different languages."Other supports we would have would be community engagement."We would link in with community organisations to come in."For example, we would have breakfast mornings with the migrant centre."She added that the Portuguese consulate was invited in "to help with our Portuguese parents and students"."We would have additional language support." What is in the wardrobe? Although about 200 of the school's 540 pupils are newcomer pupils, Ms Rodgers said that additional support was offered to all students, especially in the school's nurture includes one-to-one mentoring support with a dedicated member of school also brings in experts to provide "emotional support for students," Ms Rodgers said."We also created a walk-in wardrobe recently for all students," she added."We have uniforms, stationery, hygiene packs, shoes."You're not just going to a cupboard or a storeroom, this is a proper walk-in wardrobe with mirrors." Ms Rodgers said that School of Sanctuary was "much more than a title, it represents a culture of welcome that runs through every corridor in our school and every classroom.""People will say when you walk into our school, you can't just see it you can feel it," she said."Every child, no matter where they're from, they need to feel safe, seen and supported."That's what School of Sanctuary is all about." The school's principal, Noella Murray, said the award was a tremendous honour for the whole school community."We are incredibly proud to receive this award. It's not just a recognition of what we do - it's a reflection of who we are as a school," she said."Creating a place where every young person feels valued, nurtured and empowered to excel."
