Hillcrest Primary School is a School of Sanctuary 

We are delighted to have recently become a School of Sanctuary. As a place of sanctuary, we are committed to welcoming and supporting asylum seekers, refugees, and their families. 

Hillcrest has joined a growing network of more than 1200 primary and secondary schools, nurseries and sixth forms, all committed to creating a culture of welcome, understanding and belonging for those forced to flee.

Driven by teachers, school staff, parents, governors and community groups, this network supports the thousands of children and young people seeking sanctuary in the UK, raises awareness of the experiences of people seeking safety, and plays a key role in building a culture of kindness and compassion.⁣

You can read more about the network here: 

Home - Schools of Sanctuary (cityofsanctuary.org)

Here is our wonderful Diversity Committee receiving the award from the Lord Mayor https://youtu.be/5o9_kpcYb-A?si=HhZVzfxNjSgmdp9V

Our Diversity Group led an assembly to raise awareness about refugees and then used orange hearts to spread the word that refugees are welcome at Hillcrest Primary School!

Years 5 and 6 recently took part in the One Tree Refugee Project, where we had some visitors talk, play music and sing to our classes.  The aims of the One Tree Refugee Project are to:

• enable pupils and staff to meet ‘refugees and migrants’ first-hand to get to know them as individuals 

• be more informed,  enabling pupils to form their own opinions, through meeting, hearing, questioning, discussing and participating in collaborative activities.

• give pupils and teachers a unique and rare opportunity to meet our facilitators in a very intimate and personal way. Through hearing their stories of hardship, critical decision making and life changing choices, the pupils will gain an invaluable insight into the vulnerability of others.

Thank you for visiting us Michael, Tahmina and friends!