Bradford Schools and Colleges of Sanctuary

17/07/2026

☀️ Our Summer Newsletter is here!

As another academic year comes to a close, we're delighted to share some of the stories, projects and partnerships that have shaped our work over the past few months.

This year's Refugee Week theme, Courage, has resonated deeply with us. Throughout the year, we've seen courage in many forms: having difficult conversations, listening with empathy, challenging assumptions, and standing up for compassion, respect and inclusion. Above all, we've been humbled by the extraordinary courage of people rebuilding their lives after being forced to flee their homes, and by the schools, colleges and communities across Bradford that continue to offer welcome, kindness and hope.

In this newsletter, you'll find highlights from across the summer term and stories celebrating how people are making Bradford a more welcoming place for everyone.

Thank you to everyone who has supported our work this year. Wishing you a wonderful summer! 🧡

You can download it here 👉https://cdn-e2wra3va3xhgzx.cityofsanctuary.org/uploads/sites/12/2026/07/BSCoS-Newsletter-July-2026.pdf

15/07/2026

Just reposting in case any schools have missed sharing this with parents/pupils...

07/07/2026

Well done Upper Wharfedale School! 👏

Proud moment as the school renews its School of Sanctuary status

07/07/2026

A super-inspiring story 🧡

Nasser, 20, reflects on his new life in Suffolk and refereeing a game at Portman Road.

30/06/2026

It was brilliant to celebrate the renewal of Upper Wharfedale School's School of Sanctuary Award on Friday afternoon! Thank for inviting us to speak alongside others including a former pupil who'd arrived from Syria and been so welcomed and supported by pupils and teachers at the school. Thanks also to Julian Smith MP for attending and your encouragement.

One of the highlights of the award renewal was learning about the incredible work of a group of Year 8 students, who have produced a book of stories called 'Seeking Safety' which they wrote after learning about situations across the Globe. The book aims to raise awareness of the experiences of refugees. Copies are available to buy, with proceeds supporting UNHCR, the British Red Cross, and Médecins Sans Frontières. A huge well done to all of the Year 8 students involved! 🧡

And thank you to Craven District of Sanctuary for all your hard work.

26/06/2026

We love partnering with organisations that share our values and Native Scientists are a brilliant example. We've been delighted to partner with them over the last few years and this week, they were back for their third Arabic-language science workshop!

Two schools we work closely - Oasis Academy Lister Park and Carlton Bolling - joined to explore all kinds of fascinating scientific topics in their mother tongue.

Massive thanks to the scientists at University of Bradford who volunteered their time and shared their expertise on all kinds of topics from malaria to how inhalers work!

25/06/2026

We were delighted to be at Ilkley Grammar School today for their Year 9 Diversity Day, running workshops about forced migration and learning how we can think critically about these issues.

(And yes, it might have been the hottest day of teaching I've ever had in my career 😂🥵 A huge thank you to all the teachers really putting in a extra mile this week...schools in the UK were not designed for this weather!)

24/06/2026

Thanks to St Stephen's CE Primary for sharing with us the brilliant work you did for A Day of Welcome and Refugee Week!

Pupils were busy creating welcome displays for classroom doors, showing all the different languages that they speak.

Children and their families also donated food and toiletries to put together hampers to take to Shine West Bowling - a charity which works closely with their community.

Wonderful work - well done everyone! 👏🧡

A Day of Welcome Refugee Week

23/06/2026

We've been delighted to work with Co-op Academy Priesthorpe over the last year (yes, we know they are technically Leeds but 50% of the pupils are from Bradford!).

From their outstanding support for New to English (NTE) students to the strong pastoral care, pupil leadership opportunities and meaningful engagement with families, the school has demonstrated a genuine commitment to ensuring every student feels safe and welcome.

A special thank you to NTE lead, whose leadership has been instrumental in strengthening provision for newly arrived students 🧡

Here they are being awarded at an event in Leeds last week alongside Leeds City Council (now a Council of Sanctuary 👏)

Congratulations to everyone involved!

22/06/2026

Give these awarded Schools of Sanctuary a thumbs up on the T&A website if you can! It's good to celebrate some positive news in the media 😀🧡

Co-op Academy Penny Oaks

'It means building a culture where we don't just tolerate differences, but actively protect, celebrate, and learn from one another'