Why is it important?
The theme this Refugee Week, Community as a Superpower, draws on the power of community to create inclusive, welcoming environments for people seeking safety in our communities. It is part and parcel of teachers' professional expectations to develop engaging learning environments where all learners feel safe, experience a sense of belonging, and are cared for. This is particularly crucial in an increasingly hostile and divisive climate.
The NEU has teamed up with the British Red Cross, A Day of Welcome and the International Rescue Committee (IRC) to collate 10 of our top tips to support you in building a culture of welcome, belonging and solidarity in your school for those seeking sanctuary. The #SimpleActs suggested are adaptable and can be used for KS1- 4.
Refugee children joining your school may well have experienced trauma and have disturbing memories of leaving home and the journey that followed. They will likely be confronted with classes without a familiar face and no one speaking their language.
Any pupil joining a school or class other than at the start of a key stage faces a challenging transition. For children from refugee families, when they start school, the challenge of fitting in is likely to be most acute.
In many ways, the task faced by teachers is the same for all new children. The goal is to make them feel welcome, provide support, encourage friendships, and make sensitive assessments about language needs, learning needs and wellbeing.
Refugee Week
Refugee Week is the world’s largest arts and culture festival celebrating the contributions, creativity, and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary. Founded in the UK in 1998, it takes place every June alongside World Refugee Day (June 20) and has since grown into a global movement across 15+ countries.
This year, Refugee Week 2025, 16 – 22 June, invites everyone to explore the theme "Community as a Superpower" a celebration of the incredible everyday. Ordinary and extraordinary. Simple acts of shared generosity. Kindness multiplied to become an unstoppable force. Find more details on this year's theme.
With over one million participants, Refugee Week unites people through thousands of events and activities, from performances and talks to community gatherings and creative projects. A community-powered festival, it is shaped by individuals, organisations, schools, libraries, venues, community groups, artists, and more.
Refugee Week UK is a partnership project coordinated by Counterpoints Arts, working with a wide network of national partners, organisations, and cultural institutions.
Looking for more #SimpleActs to engage your pupils? Check out the Refugee Week website for a collaboration with The Moomins for the 80th anniversary refugeeweek.org.uk/simple-acts
If you are interested to learn more beyond these 10 top tips, download the NEU’s Welcoming Refugee Children’ guide, and hear the voices of refugee children in our refugee guides.