A church school in St Asaph has become the first in north Wales to be accredited as a School of Sanctuary.

Ysgol Esgob Morgan is the first Church in Wales primary school in the region to achieve the award following a rigorous process in which the staff and pupils demonstrated a culture of welcome across the school, the curriculum and the learning.

The headteacher of Ysgol Esgob Morgan, Tim Redgrave said: “To be the first in North Wales is a wonderful achievement, but the best thing about being a School of Sanctuary is the fact that this is what we are, always have been and always will be. This is a special place for all. I am, once again, incredibly proud of this school.”

The theme of sanctuary was embedded through the school’s Church in Wales values and involved projects on War and Conflict, work to analyse media headlines on asylum and activities for Refugee Week.

Leyla Beattie, the City of Sanctuary Coordinator for Wales was part of the panel which assessed the school. She said: “Becoming a School of Sanctuary is not an easy task. It requires a whole school effort to go above and beyond statutory requirements. Ysgol Esgob Morgan is an excellent example of what being a School of Sanctuary is all about. You should all be very proud.”

Among the comments from the panel who visited were:

• “A particular strength is how you extend your religious values across all religions. Providing space for prayer, reflection and learning across religions such as facilitating a pupil to teach the rest of the school about Ramadan. You have good vision for how to further develop these provisions to take account of all religions and cultures.”
• “Your pupils are well-informed active citizens who fully understand the rights of all children and how to activate their voices. You have some great future leaders!”
• “Your school clearly demonstrates a culture of welcome in line with the Schools of Sanctuary criteria. Your pupils are a real credit to your hard work. It was a pleasure to be welcomed into your school and talk to members of your community. We are delighted to award Ysgol Esgob Morgan as a School of Sanctuary – a huge well done.”

The Director of Education for the Dioceses of St Asaph and Bangor, Dr Justine Baldwin said: “Congratulations to all the pupils and staff at Ysgol Esgob Morgan. We know it is a rigorous and tough appraisal process to achieve School of Sanctuary status. Well done to all the children who spoke during the panel visit and were so informed and knowledgeable. You were a real credit to yourself and your teachers.

“I hope this achievement by Ysgol Esgob Morgan will act as an encouragement and model for our other church schools across Wales.”

Ysgol Esgob Morgan is being encouraged to celebrate the award and invite local MPs, MSs and other local representatives to find out more about the work they have done to achieve School of Sanctuary Status.

The Diocese of St Asaph looks after 50 Church in Wales Schools across north-east and mid-Wales, along with more than 200 church communities. The Church in Wales is an autonomous Province of the worldwide Anglican Communion.