We work closely with local community groups supporting refugee pupils to settle well in Devon and be supported in schools to achieve their potential. We are working with external interpreting agencies, RSD, the Olive Tree, Open Doors and Exeter City of Sanctuary to improve the support provided to families and unaccompanied young asylum seekers.
A refugee is someone who has been forced to flee his or her country because of persecution, war or violence. A refugee has a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group. Most likely, they cannot return home or are afraid to do so.
Unaccompanied young asylum seekers are children under the age of 18 who having left their country due to war, violence or persecution is seeking asylum in the UK. These children have been separated from their family and relatives and are placed in care where they are allocated foster homes. A young asylum seeker in the UK will be seeking refugee status.
Videos
Second a day
This very powerful 10 minute video produced by Save the Children can be used with upper KS2/KS3+ children to discuss. You see a child’s life transform over a year of conflict. “Just because it isn’t happening here doesn’t mean it isn’t happening.”
The Box
The multi-awarded film called The Box is based on the happy life of a child which alters instantly with the sudden war and pushes him in a state of struggle. The war changes not only lives, but also the role of his box; first as a carefully built toy house, then as a place to take shelter in a refugee camp with full of dangers and finally as a boat that sails for a journey towards hope. This video can be used with KS1+.
Ali’s journey from Afghanistan
Ali is a ten-year-old boy who fled with his grandmother during the war in Afghanistan. He describes the pain of separation from his parents and adjusting to life in the UK. This video can be used with upper KS1+.
Other resources
- KS2 – Seeking Safety – Amnesty International – educational resource pack with interactive activities
- Supporting Muslim students during Ramadan
- City of Sanctuary Mental Health Resource Pack