Skip to main content

Become a School of Sanctuary

Welcome to the journey of becoming a School of Sanctuary. You will be joining a family of hundreds of schools in Ireland and UK, all committed to a promoting a culture of welcome and inclusion for people seeking International Protection.
Mount Sion CBS Secondary School is a school in Waterford City that decided in 2019 to make a commitment towards becoming a School of Sanctuary. This video will give you a feel for the energy and unity the decision created.

What is a School of Sanctuary like?

Is a space for those whose lives may be in danger in their own country, who have troubles at home or are just looking for a space where they can feel safe. It is committed to being a safe and welcoming place for anyone seeking sanctuary;
Helps pupils, students, staff and the wider community to understand what it means to be seeking sanctuary and extends a welcome to everyone as equal, valued members of the school and the community. It is a school that is proud to be a place of safety and inclusion for all;
Considers intercultural awareness through learning experiences and skills being developed across the curriculum; and
Develops intercultural awareness through the gradual acquisition of intercultural skills. These skills improve communication and promote understanding across cultures.

How do we become a School of Sanctuary?

To become a recognized School of Sanctuary, you will need to adopt the three principles – Learn, Action and Share.

The three principles of becoming a School of Sanctuary

Get Started

  1. Contact your local City/County or Place of Sanctuary Group, inform them of your School’s intention. You could also directly reach us by Clicking here .

  2. and the email addresses are provided  for any additional assistance or advice.

  3. Click here Download

    the Schools of Sanctuary Charter and the Pledge Form

  4. Do what is required as per the Schools of Sanctuary Resource Pack and prepare your School Portfolio.

  5. Your School may be going through an appraisal to qualify and be offered with a School of Sanctuary Award.  Here’s a simple appraisal guide 

Thanks for taking  time to go through the resources and information provided here. To learn more about Schools of Sanctuary or  the practical steps  to start your journey , you can either
Download the Schools of Sanctuary Resource Pack from here or visit the Key Resources Section

You could also navigate through the UK  Schools of Sanctuary website to access a wide range of case studies, resources, news and other related information by Clicking here