Points for Further Consideration

Schools may want to consider the following:

ensuring that the school looks and feels welcoming to all groups, and that the signposting is clear to all
a policy for settling mid-term arrivals, and/or refugee children.

provision for school/home liaison/pastoral support/mentors
a flexible approach to the curriculum (see the National Curriculum Inclusion Statement, www.nc.uk.net/index/html) and to timetabling
creating opportunities for all children to learn about refugees and human rights issues, e.g. in citizenship, and special assemblies/events.

ensuring that all children have opportunities in the curriculum to explore difficult feelings and develop ways of coping with loss and change
monitoring the progress and well-being of refugee children to ensure early intervention if needed
ensuring access to supplementary support e.g. homework clubs and leisure activities
making links with other local services and community groups who can support refugee families, e.g. Surestart, advice agencies, ESOL providers for parents, local refugee groups

procedures for supporting staff who may be responding to complex social and emotional needs
providing resources that support independent learning in dual or first languages, e.g. bilingual dictionaries, as well as key visual aids.