Students and staff attended a City of Sanctuary event at The Great North Museum Hancock on Thursday. The City of Sanctuary Forum is a gathering of organisations and establishments which follow the principles of sanctuary – they are a welcoming, safe space for displaced people including refugees and asylum seekers. Jesmond Park Academy is the only secondary school in Newcastle with School of Sanctuary status.
Mr Campbell, Principal, shared the good practice of Jesmond Park Academy and the journey to becoming a School of Sanctuary. Mr Campbell said, “I really do believe the process of becoming a School of Sanctuary has made JPA a better school.”
JPA students Kaijani, Griff, Hannah, Hlib, Abel and Varia shared their stories about their work with the School of Sanctuary – speaking in front of members from the Newcastle United Foundation, The Glasshouse Gateshead, the NHS and more. Giving the students, who are themselves refugees and asylum-seekers, the opportunity to be centre-stage and have their voices heard.
