The borough’s new International Classes initiative for 14- to 16-year-old pupils at Key Stage 4 will also help them integrate into school life faster and ensure their educational needs are fully met.
Lambeth Council has had Borough of Sanctuary status awarded by the City of Sanctuary UK organisation, a charity working to build a more welcoming UK for people forced to flee their homes. It means Lambeth is officially recognised as a place that welcomes and values the contribution of refugees, migrants and those seeking sanctuary.
The new school initiative builds on that pledge, as well as the wider work in Lambeth, to support people in need which includes running a Lambeth Sanctuary Forum, building community cohesion and joining resettlement schemes for those most in need, including people impacted by the war in Ukraine and Afghan conflicts.
Cllr Ibtisam Adem, Lambeth Council’s Policy Lead for Sanctuary Seekers and Migrants, said: “I am really pleased that Lambeth Council is putting extra investment into our schools to ensure our newly arriving young people from asylum seeking, refugee and migrant backgrounds are promptly enrolled in our schools and will receive appropriate curriculum and pastoral care.
“As a Borough of Sanctuary, we are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all residents, including people seeking sanctuary who are fleeing violence and persecution in their own countries.
“Many children and young people who arrive in the UK have endured severe trauma and disruptions to their academic studies. This programme is a step in the right direction to giving them access to something as essential as education.”
The International Classes initiative starts in the autumn term at The Elmgreen School, The Norwood School and Trinity Academy in Lambeth. The pilot schools are among the borough’s most inclusive and have a longstanding commitment to supporting students from diverse backgrounds.
The students will get intensive support in English as an Additional Language and other core subjects in the International Classes. The curriculum will be personalised to help them quickly adapt to the English education system so they can progress academically and build the confidence and skills necessary to thrive in their new environment. The schools will also help the pupils in deciding their plans after leaving school, including higher education and employment.
Lambeth Council will work closely over the coming months with its partners in the Voluntary Community Sector and the schools to ensure that the process of welcoming these new students is as smooth as possible. Families with children eligible for these classes are advised to follow the standard admissions process.
