Becoming a Member is currently free of charge (subject to change/funding limitations) but Member and Champion schools can make donations to SoS if they so wish, e.g. for participation in a free event.

Your school can start its Sanctuary journey at any time. Remember, no school is ever starting the journey from scratch!

Your school becomes a Member School of Sanctuary when it formally joins the network. After that, we advise schools to work towards achieving the award for a minimum of one calendar year before requesting to be reviewed for the Champion SoS award. To get the most out of the journey, schools should take their time to really embed Sanctuary messaging into the fabric of school life.

Certainly not! Every student stands to benefit from your school being a safe and welcoming environment for all. We believe that all students should be educated as to the nature of vulnerability and marginalisation and encouraged to be ‘sanctuary-giving’ to all in their daily lives.

No! There are no reports or deadlines to meet and it is not a large-scale, once-off project. Schools can incorporate the Sanctuary theme into the yearly plans and the portfolio can be built over time. There are also many creative ways that teachers and students can engage with the school’s Sanctuary journey in the classroom ( see our Resources & Activities )

A portfolio of the school’s activities is created and developed by the school’s Sanctuary (or diversity/equality) committee. We recommend a digital format like Padlet as it’s important that you keep the portfolio updated even after you become a Champion SoS.

View Champion school portfolios

Yes! A Sanctuary committee should be formed and students should make up a large majority of this group. Students could be tasked with certain roles like being a photographer for events, organising events, making videos, designing posters, helping to build the portfolio and much more!

They are listed on the SoSI website and Champion schools’ portfolios are displayed. We also amplify these schools’ activities and achievements on our social media channels.

SoSI provides direct staff support, advice and learning resources as well as opportunities for collaborations, webinars, training and more. Links with other Sanctuary schools in the network, with local community groups focussed on diversity and inclusion, and with other Sanctuary initiatives, e.g. libraries, universities, are also facilitated.

The school continues the good work by sharing their practices and expertise across and beyond their community. Champion schools are encouraged to redouble their commitment to welcome and inclusion and to keep their SoS portfolio updated to reflect their latest actions and achievements in this commitment.