A KEIGHLEY school has won recognition for the support it gives to young people seeking sanctuary.

Eastwood Community Primary has become the first school in the town to receive the School of Sanctuary Award.

The accolade recognises outstanding practice and provision in supporting new arrivals – including refugees and people seeking asylum – and that a "culture of welcome, safety and inclusion" is embedded throughout the school.

A celebration of the award was staged to coincide with Refugee Week.

A peace meal was held at the school, bringing together representatives of Keighley College – a College of Sanctuary – and other organisations from across the town.

Kate Hart, project co-ordinator for Bradford Schools and Colleges of Sanctuary, says: "Schools and Colleges of Sanctuary support thousands of young people across the UK and aim to raise awareness of the issues facing those within the asylum system in education settings.

"We are delighted that Eastwood Community School has achieved the award.

"It is a school that embraces, recognises and celebrates diversity and multiculturalism in a very meaningful and effective way.

"Staff are deeply caring and experienced. The practices they have in place have built a warm, welcoming and hospitable culture. The support given to all parents and families is exemplary and the school does so much to bring the local community together."

The school has voiced its pride at receiving the accolade.

A spokesperson said: "We are very proud to have achieved the School of Sanctuary Award and be the first of hopefully many primary schools in Keighley to be accredited.

"This is a wonderful acknowledgement of how our school values are lived and breathed every single day and we are delighted to have the work we do to create a haven for our pupils, families, community and those seeking sanctuary recognised in this way.

"We would like to extend our thanks to Kate and the team at Bradford School of Sanctuary for their help and support throughout the process and also to all those involved in every aspect of this important work."

Eastwood is among 17 schools and colleges across the Bradford district – and a national network of over 450 – which now have the sanctuary accreditation.

For further information about Bradford City of Sanctuary, go to bradford.cityofsanctuary.org

Refugee Week is the world’s largest arts and culture festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary.