Teaching and learning about refugees can promote race equality, community cohesion and a greater understanding of the diversity amongst our local population. Care must be taken to create a safe learning environment and have trained, confident staff for the discussion of these issues. Good practice also includes informing and even involving parents and carers in the delivery of this work.
Refugee Week takes place in June each year to coincide with World Refugee Day on 20 June. The issue of global migration will fit into a range of subjects within the curriculum, including PSHE, geography, history and politics throughout the academic year. Focusing on why people might leave their own countries and arrive in a city like Brighton & Hove is a great way to make the issue real for students.
As well as the resources listed below the following contacts can provide further information and guidance
- For guidance on developing school practice related to refugee awareness
Standards and Achievement can help - call 01273 293533 or email pshe@brighton-hove.gov.uk
- For Information about refugees, asylum seekers and other migrant groups in Brighton & Hove
email lucy.bryson@brighton-hove.gov.uk or call 01273 292572.
Resources for teaching about refugees
The national City of Sanctuary website includes information about how schools around the country have been becoming 'Schools of Sanctuary' and incorporating an understanding of refugee issues into their everyday work.
The national Refugee Week website has a wealth of resources and also information about the Simple Acts campaign.
Salusbury World in London is a specialist refugee education charity. Their website will also provide resources for teaching about refugees as well as resources for teachers settling refugee children into their classrooms.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has produced an excellent computer game which takes players through the difficulties and dilemmas of fleeing their country and forging a new life. It is called Against All Odds.
Linked to this is a free educational app to download onto i-phone or android called My Life as a Refugee which encourages users to understand better the plight of refugees. There is a trailer for this app.