Duke Street Primary School has been recognized by the local authority as a School of Sanctuary, in recognition of the work and ongoing commitment to engage and celebrate the positive contribution of refugees. Duke Street has worked to create a safe and inclusive environment, in which all children can thrive.
Representatives from the school received the award from Jeff Morgan, North West National Trustee of City of Sanctuary, at a presentation in the Exchange Savoy Suite at County Hall in Preston.
Roxana Sardais, English as an Additional Language (EAL) team leader, praised Duke Street for their powerful and emotional presentation, in which pupils, staff and parents all took part.
School of Sanctuary presentation
The school supports several families who have been resettled in Chorley, providing educational and family support through its outreach team, Arabic speaking TA and use of the local authority EAL service.
Prior to this ceremony, only one other community primary school has had this honour bestowed on it in Lancashire. Duke Street becomes one of only of 9 primary and secondary schools to become a School of Sanctuary.
Duke Street now supports other schools in the area which have refugee families or who are seeking to aspire to School of sanctuary status and it also hosts EAL network meetings for this part of the county.
