NUT helps schools welcome refugee children
The NUT (England and Wales) has produced a Guide for schools entitled ‘Welcoming Refugee Children to Your School’. It can be downloaded from the NUT website or printed copies are available by emailing [email protected]. The Guide advocates a whole school community approach which includes students and parents as well as teachers. It focuses on treating all children with a ‘can do’ approach, building the child’s sense of identity and self-esteem rather than looking at what a child cannot do.
The key principles of effective practice for teachers new to teaching refugee children set out in the guide are:
- A ‘can do’ approach focussed on children’s strengths;
- Getting communication with parents right;
- Active steps to counter prejudice about refugees;
- The host children are central to creating refugee-friendly schools;
- Understand the impact of trauma, separation, bereavement or post-traumatic stress;
- Celebrate the contribution made to your school community by new arrivals; and
- Take a child-centred approach.
