Pete Egerton

10:00am - 1:00pm

Email the studio

Benson Boone

Beautiful Things

Listen Live

Ripon school given award for supporting refugees and asylum seekers

Tuesday, 12 March 2024 22:00

Ripon Grammar School is one of the first in the area to be presented with The School of Sanctuary award.

Ripon school given award for supporting refugees and asylum seekers Ripon Grammar School (RGS) is one of the first secondary schools in the area to be presented with The School of Sanctuary award. The award recognises the culture of "welcome, safety, awareness and inclusion" throughout the school. RGS now joins a national network of more than 420 primary and secondary schools, nurseries and sixth forms all committed to this ethos, with a further 400 schools working towards it. City of Sanctuary UK director of operations Sara Trewhitt praised RGS pupils and staff. She said:

“Our assessment team were impressed by the range of steps the whole school has taken to demonstrate its commitment to being a place of sanctuary for all. “From charitable fundraising to an expanded curriculum to sensitive pastoral provision, the school has implemented a range of activities to truly embrace the ethos of kindness behind the School of Sanctuary award. “In particular, students spoke eloquently about the need to support inclusion at RGS. At City of Sanctuary UK, we look forward to seeing how RGS continues to grow its sanctuary initiatives beyond the school’s gates in the years to come. "

Throughout the year, the school has been working to develop its understanding of the plight of refugees and asylum seekers to provide a welcoming place of safety. The project, led by head of personal, social, health and economic education at RGS, Helen Mars, has been a rewarding one, she said:

“We are delighted to be recognised as a safe place of sanctuary. RGS is committed to providing a rich and vibrant curriculum and this has enriched our school in so many areas. “We are committed to continuing on our School of Sanctuary journey and would encourage other schools to consider working towards this accreditation.”

Headmaster Jonathan Webb added:

“Inclusion and welcome are at the core of our school values, and we are very proud of the empathy, kindness and compassion shown by all our school community."

Read more local stories from Your Harrogate here.

More from Local News

Harrogate women's community group launches app to combat social isolation

A Harrogate women's community group has officially launched its own dedicated app, designed not to increase screen time, but to encourage more face-to-face connection.
Harrogate pupils to play at Premier League stadium after cup success

Pupils from Saltergate Schools in Harrogate are set to play at a Premier League stadium after securing a place in the national finals of a major schools football competition.
CCTV appeal after Harrogate shop theft

North Yorkshire Police has released an image of a man following a shop theft in Harrogate.
Mayor accused of "highways robbery" over pothole funding allocations

Furious North Yorkshire council chiefs have accused the region's mayor of "highways robbery" amid claims the county is losing £20m in funding to fix potholes and resurface roads.
Last chance to nominate for Harrogate Hospitality and Tourism Awards

Time is running out to nominate people or businesses in this year's Harrogate Hospitality and Tourism Awards.
Drop in number of missed bin collections in Harrogate

The number of missed waste bin collections in Harrogate has fallen sharply after the issue was highlighted by local politicians.
Harrogate woman raises £1,000 for breast cancer ahead of Great Wall of China trek

A Harrogate woman has already raised £1,000 towards her fundraising goal for a breast cancer charity ahead of a 100km trek across the Great Wall of China.
Great Knaresborough Bunny Hunt to return for ninth year

The much-loved Great Knaresborough Bunny Hunt is hopping back into town this week in support of local businesses.
Fodder to host Yorkshire supplier open call night

Local food and drink producers are being given a valuable opportunity to showcase their products this spring, as Fodder in Harrogate announces a Yorkshire supplier open call night.
North Yorkshire praised for diversity of visitor economy

Tourism leaders in York and North Yorkshire have highlighted the scale and diversity of the region’s visitor economy following a visit from a national industry figure.
Knaresborough postman's drawings raise £1,800 for LGI Neurosciences

Andrew Welch, a postman in Knaresborough is raising money for Leeds General Infirmary's Neurosciences.
Robotics National Final to be held in Harrogate

Young people from across the UK and overseas are set to take part in a national robotics competition being held in Harrogate next month.
Grantley Hall to star in new Channel 5 series

Grantley Hall in Ripon will star in Channel 5's new series, 'Yorkshire's Poshest Hotel'.
Newby Hall to reopen next week with new events

Newby Hall and Gardens is set to reopen to visitors on Saturday 28th March.
Bridal hair stylist launches new wellness business in Harrogate

A boutique wellness business is offering treaments in Harrogate this April.
BBC television series looks to cast Harrogate children for new series

A new BBC television series is looking for young children in Harrogate who may be finding it difficult to make friends.
Race for life to return to the Stray this July

People in Harrogate are being encouraged to take part in this year’s Race for Life event, which is returning to the town this summer to raise money for cancer research.
Harrogate Neighbours team to cycle 100 miles for Red Nose Day

The team are raising money for Comic Relief by cycling 100 miles.
Pannal PTA Ball raises £7,000 for Pannal Primary School

The Pannal School PTA hosted a ball to raise money for the school.
Harrogate Musical Festival back for its 60th Anniversary

Harrogate International Festivals is celebrating its 60th anniversary in style by bringing some of the biggest names and brightest emerging stars in classical music to Harrogate this summer.