Achieving full potential

Primary schools help refugee children develop, succeed and contribute to the community. Schools ensure refugee children achieve their potential in a variety of ways.

In building on the knowledge and skills refugee children bring, schools enable them to experience success and establish a sense of belonging to their school community. This assists their integration.

Through a commitment to meeting the needs of all children, schools act on their duty to ensure that all groups of children achieve, including refugees. School staff will find information about their duties under the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 and the National Curriculum for England on the QCA Pathways to learning for new arrivals website.

By supporting language and learning, schools ensure refugee children acquire skills in English, and make the best possible progress in their learning.

Going to school, making friends and developing a sense of belonging all support refugee children’s positive coping and resilience after their difficult experiences. Schools are promoting emotional well-being through curriculum activities, projects and pastoral care.

By encouraging refugee parents to play an active part in the education of their children, schools and pupils will benefit from parents’ talents and skills. Parental involvement and family learning initiatives in school can also provide real opportunities for refugee parents to acquire important skills that will assist their own integration as well as that of their children.