School 'excited' to welcome international students

The headteacher of a city primary school where more than 30 languages are spoken said staff were "excited" to welcome children from all over the world.

Easton CE Academy, in Bristol is one of 19 schools in the city to have Sanctuary Status, which is awarded after a two-year training programme in supporting refugees and asylum seekers in education.

A Bristol City Council spokesperson said the number of schools seeking Sanctuary Status has risen following unrest in the city last August after the killing of three young girls in Southport.

All places of education can apply for the status, with 12 more Bristol schools currently working towards the award.

Headteacher Clare Welbourne said lots of the families welcomed at the school have had to make difficult journeys from quite dangerous parts of the world.

"Some of them had professional jobs and nice houses in other parts of the world, but because of the situations of war, or danger, they've had to leave those places and come here and live in much less good situations.

"But those families are really aspirational for their children, they want their children to do well and work hard and that's what we see."

The school, which has around 400 pupils, gained sanctuary status four years ago.

One student, from Sudan, said when she first arrived at the school, she would cry all the time and "wouldn't dare to go into the classroom".

But with support from her teacher she now speaks English "perfectly fine" and has enjoyed supporting other students arriving at the school.

"Last year, I had a friend in the year below me from Romania. I didn't speak Romanian so I was friendly to her and used sign language to communicate and we became friends," she added.

Another student in year 6 said when she first arrived she was "so anxious and scared because I left my friends and spoke a whole new language".

But after a short time said she settled in well and is "very happy" at school now.

Key stage 2 teacher, and language lead, Fahima Miah said the school is unique in that "every single adult in the school knows how to receive families and the children, who have zero English and is able to support them within the school setting".

The school's motto is "being different and belonging together", and the students are encouraged to support each other on their journeys and learn about each others cultures.

She said they offer "a sense of belonging, a sense of safety and hopefully help them feel integrated within their classrooms", which gives them a strong foundation, particularly important for the times people have to move again with their families, and leave friends behind.

Ms Welbourne said it is a diverse school, it is lovely to work in, and all the children are "part of our family".

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