We are very excited to announce that after an extensive 18 month application and audit process, our school has been presented with the prestigious ‘School of Sanctuary’ status.
The award was presented by Jeff Morgan, a City of Sanctuary Trustee, to Miss Davies and Ms Rathore, who were responsible for our School of Sanctuary application. This award recognises the diverse the Blackburn Central High School community has successfully integrated, and how every student, regardless of creed, gender, and ethnicity are offered the opportunities they deserve, and how all of our students are supported in achieving their individual dreams.
The School of Sanctuary award is only given to a school that is committed to being a safe and welcoming place for all, especially those seeking sanctuary. It 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.
Community Lead, Ms Miriam Rathore, said “We want to show that the claims that Blackburn is divided and ethnically split are untrue. We happily welcome students and their families who flee persecution, and are working hard to start new lives in Blackburn. There are lots of things we can do to help refuges, especially as for many of them English is not their first language. We want to make them feel safe at Blackburn Central High School, and at home in Blackburn.”
Blackburn with Darwen gained City of Sanctuary status in 2018, and holds the vision that the UK should be a welcoming place of safety for all and proud to offer sanctuary to people fleeing violence and persecution. We are very proud to be the first school in the borough to gain School of Sanctuary status.
In attendance at the presentation were The Worshipful the Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council - Councillor Jim Shorrock, Leanne Romney the PREVENT Officer for Lancashire, plus representatives from YMCA/ARC (Asylum and Refugee Centre), the Blackburn with Darwen Interfaith Forum, Blackburn Central High School governors, Champion Education Trust trustees, and other Blackburn with Darwen schools.
All members of our staff share in the ethos that every child matters, and are thrilled to receive the award recognising their warm and welcoming classrooms, unwavering support and dedication to our students.
Photographs from Asian Image.
