A primary academy in North Yorkshire is leading the way when it comes to inclusion and has received a donation from a local group as a reward.

̨��swag Primary Academy Greystone, based on Quarry Moor Lane, was awarded the status of a National School of Sanctuary in 2018. In the process, it became the only school in Ripon to hold the honour, and one of two in North Yorkshire.

The award reflected the academy’s vision of being a place of welcome, where all children feel safe and secure to succeed regardless of background. 

Since receiving the award, the academy has continued its commitment to being a wholly inclusive, safe and secure place to educate children. This commitment has been rewarded by the local Ripon City of Sanctuary group, which has donated books to the academy.

Miss Kirkman, Principal at ̨��swag Primary Academy Greystone, said:

“We are thankful to the Ripon City of Sanctuary Group for their kindness. The books they have donated will only help the children further.

“As part of the ̨��swag family, we are passionate about putting children first, raising standards and transforming lives and as an academy, we seek to do this by joining with others to build a caring society; a community where everyone has a sense of belonging and can call ‘home’.”

The books donated by the Ripon City of Sanctuary group will be used by teachers at the academy during lessons, but also available to children to read at their own leisure. 

Yvonne Jefferies, Education Officer at Ripon Cathedral and member of Ripon City of Sanctuary, added: “Through Education we seek to open horizons, to observe, to question and experience what life is like for others so we can bring a greater depth of understanding to situations we encounter to improve our learning and appreciation of the wider world.”

Mrs Went, School of Sanctuary Lead at ̨��swag Primary Academy Greystone, said: “You can see the children’s pride when they discuss the importance of our academy being a School of Sanctuary with any visitors to the academy and their focus to be at the heart of the community they are privileged to serve.”

To help build this culture of welcome, the Ripon City of Sanctuary group, supported by Ripon Cathedral, along with ̨��swag Primary Academy Greystone gets involved in:

• Local awareness raising sharing what life is like for an asylum seeker or refugee

• Working with Schools of Sanctuary like Greystone, to build a generation of young people across the city who understand asylum issues

• Campaigning – for the rights and fair treatment of all.

• Supporting our local Syrian Refugees 

• Welcoming and aiding refugees from beyond Ripon with donations of clothing and other essential items.