Staff at a Norfolk Primary school have been touched to receive letters of thanks from asylum seekers who have moved onto a nearby former airbase.

The letters were in response to a giant welcome card that pupils at the school made for them. Coltishall Primary, who are working towards becoming a School of Sanctuary, delivered the card last week. Children of keyworkers created a collage of their school emblem and translated their school values, such as Respect, Honesty and Fairness, into the languages spoken by the asylum-seekers; Farsi, Kurdish and Arabic.

This week they received heartfelt letters expressing how pleased they were to hear from the pupils. One said: “I want to thank you for your help and care about us without knowing us. God multiply your help and bless your families.” Another wrote: “I want to thank you very much for your help and for caring for us. It is nice to feel welcome and support us in these difficult times.”

Just under 100 people who are applying for asylum are being housed temporarily at Badersfield under a new Home Office scheme. The school is now looking to develop further links with the base as they take part in the Schools of Sanctuary ‘Day of Welcome’ this month.