We were delighted to present Washwood Heath Academy in Birmingham with the School of Sanctuary Award. We have worked with them for over three years now, and their portfolio included evidence of Refugee Week activities since 2016, ongoing curriculum and EAL work, a travelling presentation by Romanian and Roma pupils working together, and support for the asylum-seeking children in their community. The school is one of the most multi-cultural in the city, with 62% of the pupils speaking languages other than English at home. The Award was presented in an assembly where we heard poems written by some of the pupils during Refugee Week 2019.

The photograph shows the Head Boy, Ihsanullah Ahmadzai, who arrived unaccompanied in the UK three years ago from Afghanistan, never having attended school before. On the left is Mrs Doyle, SENCO and Achievement Leader (who apologises for having her eyes closed), and Mrs Crosdale, Head of House for Ihsanullah.