Refugees bring more than they carry

You may fall into the habit of viewing newcomer refugee students through a deficit-based lens. For example, "My student can't speak enough English to take part in this lesson", "This student has got gaps in his education, and he is very far behind the rest of my class" or "This student is struggling so much with the impacts of trauma that I don't know where to begin in supporting her".

The Healing Classrooms Approach turns this perspective on its head and views refugees through an assets-based lens.

When fleeing conflict, refugees can only carry so much. But, even having left most of their belongings behind, they bring so much to their communities – skills, traditions, stories, dreams, families and so much more.

Due to the immense challenges people have faced before fleeing, during their journey and now, upon arrival in the UK, they may need that extra helping hand to get their lives back on track.

The Healing Classrooms Approach aims to help children to recover from any potential trauma by creating safe schools where trusted adults help them to learn in creative ways and new friends help them to settle in their new communities.

Schools are ideal places for this healing to happen as they are already places filled with aspirations, learning and fun! The Healing Classrooms Approach helps schools to tailor their existing resources and skills to enable a safe place for refugee children to land and take their first steps towards a happier future.

When children who are refugees first arrive in your school, it can be overwhelming to try to figure out what needs to be put in place to support your new students. The Healing Classrooms Approach sets out the first steps to welcoming new children and giving them what they may need to ensure a smooth start to their new school life.

Watch this video to explore the idea that refugees bring more than they carry.