Contributing to the community

In recent years, new communities of refugees have developed in England. The presence of refugees can bring real social, cultural and economic benefits to the areas in which they settle.

Secondary schools are playing an important role in helping refugee pupils and parents feel safe and welcome in local communities. By fostering positive inter-community relationships, they are also helping refugee pupils and parents contribute to many aspects of community life.

Through the school curriculum and special events, such as Refugee Week, secondary schools are celebrating the diversity of their local communities and challenging negative, ill-informed stereotyping.

Going to school enables refugee pupils to feel safe, secure and valued, and to make friends in the host community. In recognising the importance of having peer support and friendships, many secondary schools are engaging pupils in playing an active role in supporting refugee integration.

Many secondary schools value greatly the contribution pupils from all backgrounds make to the school community. By promoting children’s participation and the active involvement of refugee pupils, schools will benefit from the skills and talents of all their pupils.

Schools have an important responsibility in supporting unaccompanied refugee children who come to this country without their parents and wider family. By working in close partnership with other services, schools can ensure that unaccompanied children are welcomed and included, and receive the support they need to integrate into communities.

In diverse local communities, schools have a duty to promote good race relations and encourage community cohesion. By promoting the participation of refugee parents in school and community life, schools can support their integration. Schools can also assist refugee parents to make a contribution to the local community through membership of the school governing body.