The Conservatives will today take 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 will say 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 will insist schools should not be used as “vehicles for political indoctrination".
Freedom of Information (FOI) requests seen by GB News reveal ministers 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.
Miss Trott will tell 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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Miss Trott will inform 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 will ask the Labour minister to clarify what assessments the Department of Education has made of Schools of Sanctuary resources and activities.
The Tory frontbencher will also ask Ms Phillipson to clarify what steps are being taken to ensure there is no politically partisan campaigning.
Miss Trott will go 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 will conclude 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.”
A spokesman from the Department for Education told GB News: “It is absolutely right that pupils receive a balanced presentation of opposing views on political topics.
“That’s why we have published clear guidance to help schools navigate this responsibility and it’s 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.”
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