Wardrobe helps school achieve ‘sanctuary’ status

A “walk-in wardrobe” has helped a County Armagh school to become a School of Sanctuary.

St John the Baptist’s College, in Portadown, is the one of the first outside Belfast or Londonderry to achieve the accreditation.

A School of Sanctuary is one which provides significant additional support to pupils, including refugees and others who need a place of safety.

Teacher Stacey Rodgers said that being a School of Sanctuary was “much more than a title, it represents a culture of welcome”.

BBC News NI had visited St John the Baptist’s College in Portadown when it was preparing its bid for the accreditation.

The school, in which 23 different languages spoken by pupils, has now been notified that it has achieved School of Sanctuary status.

Ms Rodgers said that had involved a detailed process, an external assessment and an action plan to make the school “a more inclusive and welcoming environment.”

The School of Sanctuary assessment team also spoke to pupils during a visit to the school.

“It was a rigorous enough process,” Ms Rodgers told BBC News NI.

“We went about changing our signage, making sure than signage was available in all different languages.

“Other supports we would have would be community engagement.

“We would link in with community organisations to come in.

“For example, we would have breakfast mornings with the migrant centre.”

She added that the Portuguese consulate was invited in “to help with our Portuguese parents and students”.

“We would have additional language support.”

Although about 200 of the school’s 540 pupils are newcomer pupils, Ms Rodgers said that additional support was offered to all students, especially in the school’s nurture centre.

That includes one-to-one mentoring support with a dedicated member of staff.

The school also brings in experts to provide “emotional support for students,” Ms Rodgers said.

“We also created a walk-in wardrobe recently for all students,” she added.

“We have uniforms, stationery, hygiene packs, shoes.

“You’re not just going to a cupboard or a storeroom, this is a proper walk-in wardrobe with mirrors.”

Ms Rodgers said that School of Sanctuary was “much more than a title, it represents a culture of welcome that runs through every corridor in our school and every classroom.”

“People will say when you walk into our school, you can’t just see it you can feel it,” she said.

“Every child, no matter where they’re from, they need to feel safe, seen and supported.

“That’s what School of Sanctuary is all about.”

The school’s principal, Noella Murray, said the award was a tremendous honour for the whole school community.

“We are incredibly proud to receive this award. It’s not just a recognition of what we do – it’s a reflection of who we are as a school,” she said.

“Creating a place where every young person feels valued, nurtured and empowered to excel.”