College of Sanctuary
Our college has a long history of welcoming asylum seekers and refugees to study with us. The support and culture of welcome we provide has seen City College Norwich recognised as a College of Sanctuary.
Colleges of Sanctuary are a network of Further Education college staff, teachers and students working together to make education inclusive and empowering for all. The initiative is backed by City of Sanctuary UK, under which Norwich has City of Sanctuary status.
Norwich has a long history of being a place of sanctuary to those seeking it. We want to celebrate the contribution refugees make and to continue to extend a hand of welcome to those arriving today. – Norwich City of Sanctuary
Our college is committed to providing sanctuary seeking students with a warm welcome and the specialist support they need to succeed. This commitment is underpinned by the considerable experience of our ESOL teachers and support staff, and awareness-raising work with the whole of our college community.
We have a multi-agency approach, working with the Virtual School for Norfolk, social workers and residential support workers so that students who are Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children have access to wrap-around support from college services and from their home and corporate parent.
Each student is allocated an Education Support Worker, who gets to know the student as well as their supporting professionals, so that a holistic and joined-up support package is in place for each young person.
This support is complemented by our ESOL teaching team, who continually adapt our courses to meet the changing needs of ESOL students. Tutorial Supervisors support students with attendance, behaviour and emotional needs, as well as providing tutorial support for their learning and future career and Higher Education planning.
Alongside tailored support for asylum seeker students, we create opportunities to integrate with the wider college community – from our Students’ Union-organised Culture Days, to enrichment opportunities through art, music and sport.