Thank you to Dene Academy for giving me the honour of presenting them their prestigious School of Sanctuary Award.

Dene Academy was granted School of Sanctuary status in June 2022. This is in recognition of the school’s commitment to being a safe and welcoming place for those seeking sanctuary. This could be people whose lives were in danger in their own country, who have troubles at home or are just looking for a space of safety.

As a School of Sanctuary, Dene Academy helps its students, staff and wider community understand what it means to be seeking sanctuary and to extend a welcome to everyone as equal, valued members of our community.

Students have taken part in a range of activities from kite making, language sessions in Arabic and Urdu, haiku poetry workshops, donating and supporting local refugees as well as crafting a beautiful banner with messages of solidarity, hope and love. Dene Academy pupils proudly marched with their banner at this year’s Durham Miners Gala.

School of Sanctuary Status has only been awarded to around a network of 350 primary and secondary schools, nurseries and sixth forms, that promote inclusive values, create safe spaces, and welcome all people in need of sanctuary.

Driven by teachers, school staff, parents, governors and community groups, this network supports the thousands of young people seeking sanctuary in the UK, raises awareness of the issues facing people in the asylum system, challenges misconceptions and builds social cohesion.

I want to congratulate Dene Academy for its remarkable achievement of being the only school in County Durham to be awarded School of Sanctuary Status.