The Conservatives has taken aim at the Education Secretary over a “day of welcome” initiative being promoted by a network of primary and secondary schools ahead of "Refugee Week".
In a strongly-worded letter to Bridget Phillipson, Laura Trott said she is “increasingly concerned” about the use of resources, materials and books being used to “push highly politicised messaging” on subjects such as immigration.
The Shadow Education Secretary insisted schools should not be used as “vehicles for political indoctrination”.
Freedom of Information (FOI) requests seen by GB News reveal Whitehall officials have met with Schools of Sanctuary to discuss taxpayer funding for the organisation's activities – including proposals for funding to expand its reach into more colleges.
Ms Trott told Ms Phillipson: “(It) raises serious questions about the Government’s oversight of the organisation and the extent to which public institutions are facilitating political campaigning in classrooms.”
Schools of Sanctuary is an organisation whose stated aim is to turn children into “ethically informed change-makers”.
The organisation describes the “day of welcome” on Friday, June 12, as “a day of solidarity and learning”, with over 820 schools and 220,000 young people taking part in 2025.
Schools of Sanctuary's website claims the day of welcome aims to educate and support refugee pupils, as well as their families.
The Education Secretary has been told by the Conservatives schools should not be used as 'vehicles for political indoctrination'
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Ms Trott informed Ms Phillipson she is concerned schools facing acute financial pressures are being “encouraged to give taxpayer-funded money to Schools of Sanctuary” through membership schemes, accreditation and fundraising activities.
She asked the Labour minister to clarify what assessments the Department of Education has made of Schools of Sanctuary resources and activities.
The Tory frontbencher also asked Ms Phillipson to clarify what steps are being taken to ensure there is no politically partisan campaigning.
Miss Trott went on to question whether Whitehall will review and remove inappropriate materials currently being promoted in schools through Schools of Sanctuary.
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Schools of Sanctuary have promoted children’s books and classroom materials containing messaging aimed at youngsters
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Schools of Sanctuary have promoted children’s books and classroom materials containing messaging aimed at youngsters.
One of the books, which is aimed at readers as young as five, illustrated this with a flotilla of small boats filled with cartoon animals, including lions and giraffes.
The Shadow Education Secretary concluded by saying: “There is a growing public concern that activist organisations increasingly view schools as a captive audience through which to advance ideological causes.
“It is essential that classrooms remain places of education rather than ideological campaigning.”
Ms Trott informed Ms Phillipson she is concerned schools facing acute financial pressures are being 'encouraged to give taxpayer-funded money to Schools of Sanctuary'
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She asked the Labour minister to clarify what assessments the Department of Education has made of Schools of Sanctuary resources and activities
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A spokesman from the Department for Education told GB News: “This is completely inaccurate, no Education Minister has met with Schools of Sanctuary and there has been no commitment to funding from the department.
“Pupils must receive a balanced presentation of opposing views on political topics—that’s why we have published clear guidance for schools navigate this responsibility, and why we require schools to actively promote fundamental British values like democracy, the rule of law, and mutual respect and tolerance. This isn’t optional, it’s the law.”
A spokesman for Schools of Sanctuary said: "The Charity Commission has previously reviewed the Schools of Sanctuary programme and found no evidence of inappropriate political activity.
"The regulator confirmed that the charity is acting within its charitable purposes and in line with its regulatory guidance.
"Schools of Sanctuary is an educational programme that supports schools that choose to take part to create inclusive and welcoming environments for all children and young people.
"Participation is voluntary and free, and schools remain responsible for how they implement activities within existing statutory and educational frameworks."