On Friday 20th April schools across Norfolk will be taking action to educate their pupils about the experiences of displaced people and to explore their county’s rich history as a place of sanctuary. Currently 22 schools have committed to taking part and the day will see specifically designed assemblies and lessons being delivered in participating schools. Schools are also being encouraged to hold a non-uniform day and ask for a voluntary contribution in order to raise money to support local refugee communities.

Norwich Schools of Sanctuary are collaborating with Anglia Ruskin University, Amnesty International and The Common Lot to organise the day as well as working alongside groups such as Norfolk Record Office and Postcards for Peace. Among other things the project involves a team of citizen researchers researching different strands of refugee history in Norfolk, school workshops at Norwich Central Library and will lead to the creation of a Heritage Hub – an online home for local refugee histories and children’s creative responses to them.