College of Sanctuary
Craven College is proud to be working towards gaining College of Sanctuary accreditation. This award will represent our commitment to creating a welcoming, safe and inclusive environment for all students, particularly those seeking sanctuary from conflict, persecution and hardship.
What is a College of Sanctuary?
A College of Sanctuary is a college that has been recognised for its work with refugees and asylum seekers. It is a place that fosters a culture of welcome and safety for people seeking sanctuary, including asylum seeking and refugee families and unaccompanied minors
Values of a City of Sanctuary College
The City of Sanctuary organisation and network is guided and informed by a commitment to the following values, as enshrined in our Charter:
Inclusiveness: We welcome and respect people from all backgrounds, place the highest value on diversity and are committed to equality.
Openness: We are committed to a culture of working collaboratively within the network and in partnership with others.
Participation: Those who support our vision work together with people seeking sanctuary. We value and recognise the contribution of all involved. We aspire to ensure people seeking sanctuary are fully involved in decision-making processes and supported to become leaders within the City of Sanctuary organisation and network as well as the wider movement.
Inspiration: We work with enthusiasm and positivity and are determined to surpass what has already been achieved to welcome refugees and people seeking sanctuary. We act as a catalyst for change by being open to new and innovative ideas and through sharing knowledge gained with others and working in partnership.
Integrity: We aspire to high standards of honesty and behaviour, and always act in the interests of people seeking sanctuary. The values are outlined in the CoS Charter which was developed as the strategic framework for the work of the City of Sanctuary UK organisation and the networks we support.
Our Pledge
- We support the ‘City of Sanctuary’ vision that the UK will be a welcoming place of safety for all and proud to offer sanctuary to people fleeing violence and persecution.
- We endorse the City of Sanctuary Charter and agree to act in accordance with City of Sanctuary values and apply the network principles within our work (as far as our specific context enables us to).
- We recognise the contribution of people seeking sanctuary. Sanctuary seekers are welcomed, included and supported within our context. We expect our branches or local groups (if any) to support their local City of Sanctuary group if one exists, and will facilitate contact between them and their local City of Sanctuary group.”
- We are willing for our organisation’s name to be added to a list of supporters of City of Sanctuary, linked to our website. We are also willing to be contacted by City of Sanctuary with further ideas for how we can turn our support into practical action and to discuss ways we might work together to promote the vision further.
Stories from a local family seeking sanctuary…
The Omari Family escaped from the Taliban in Afghanistan and came to Skipton in North Yorkshire. Listen to their story below, with special thanks to the Omari Family.
Craven College becoming a College of Sanctuary…
Hear more about becoming a College of Sanctuary in this interview between Angie Pedley, Craven District of Sanctuary and Rosemary Simpson, Craven College Student Services Manager.
News Stories
A Recipe for Success!
A Recipe for Success!
The success of students from Craven College was recognised earlier this month at a county-wide awards ceremony at The Principal Hotel in York.
Refugee Week 2024
Refugee Week 2024
As part of our journey to becoming a City of Sanctuary College, we are acknowledging Refugee Week this week. Going with the theme of “What Home Means to Us” our amazing students and staff have written down what we appreciate within our home.
We have been thinking about the chaotic and tragic journey that our refugee students may face when fleeing their homes because of conflict, and what small acts of kindness we can all do for them, to make this a safe and enjoyable education site at Craven College