Resources to support schools with children from refugee backgrounds
Many schools across Hertfordshire are welcoming or preparing to welcome refugee children and their families. Children and their families may have experienced and may continue to experience trauma with disturbing memories of war and fighting and many having to leave family members behind. It can be a challenging and frightening time for children and the task faced by schools is to create a feeling of welcome, a sense of belonging and a nurturing support provision. The list of resources has been put together by the HFL Education Wellbeing Team at the request of HCC.
The resources are arranged under the following headings:
- welcoming new arrivals into school
- learning English as an additional language
- working with parents to support their child’s learning
- supporting mental health and wellbeing of newly arrived pupils
- understanding the nature and impact of trauma
- advice and support for families affected by migration
- wellbeing and mental health
- local Support for families in Hertfordshire
- PSHE/RSHE/Citizenship/Geography curriculum resources
- friendship, belonging, welcoming new arrivals
- refugees and migration.
This list will be developed as further resources become available.
The toolkit is also available to download below:
Training and networking opportunities
A programme of fully funded training and networking opportunities is available to Hertfordshire schools in the autumn 2023 and spring 2024. This is for schools that have pupils who are new arrivals and from refugee backgrounds. The programme includes:
- a training and networking opportunity: supporting newly arrived learners from refugee backgrounds (fully funded by Hertfordshire County Council (HCC))
- supporting newly arrived pupils from outside the UK, the role of the teaching assistant (fully funded by HCC)
- online training sessions led by an International Rescue Committee (IRC) education specialist (fully funded by IRC, registered charity)
- online Trauma informed practice workshop led by an IRC education specialist (fully funded by IRC, registered charity)
Details and booking information (and links) can be found in the document below: