Student ambassadors of the School of Sanctuary Committee grasped the opportunity to be interviewed by an Education Correspondent for The Guardian. This was a touching and frank interview in which the students were keen to document their first hand experiences as new arrivals within an English context and as new additions to the Beechdale family. They also revealed personal impressions and a shared outlook as members of the School of Sanctuary Committee, an increasingly popular group which works with the Student Council to reinforce a culture based on diversity, inclusion, justice and equality.
The interviewer uncovered the facilities and support systems that our sanctuary seeking students can rely on both on arrival and within an ongoing process that forms part of our school practice to monitor the wellbeing and progress made in a student’s learning experience. Evidence of how this works was captured in the EAL base. This space proves to be a vital point of reference for students from many cultural backgrounds but with one thing in common – English is not their first language. A place therefore to develop language proficiency, but also familiarity and interest in other cultures.
The article highlights how the hard work taking place at Bluecoat Beechdale Academy, and across the Archway Trust, helps students feel that they belong and can succeed despite the difficulties that they may encounter prior to being admitted to secondary school education.
Click on the link below to read the article in The Guardian: