Last week members of the Birmingham City of Sanctuary Schools team visited Erdington Academy to scrutinise the portfolio.

We were particularly impressed by the whole-school approach, the CPD which includes NQTs and newly-arrived staff, the Culture Fest which takes place at the end of every autumn term,  and the way this topic has been embedded in the curriculum – with especial mention for the imaginative way the Maths Department has taken this on board. Around half the pupils are on the EAL register and the school welcomes refugees and asylum-seekers from Afghanistan and Syria, as well as ensuring that the whole school is aware of the challenges faced by refugees and the contribution they make to British society. We are delighted that Erdington Academy is receiving this award and know that they will be on hand to advise other schools still in the process.