Cambridge Regional College Celebrate Cultural Diversity and College ofSanctuary Award

Cambridge Regional College’s (CRC) Cambridge and Huntingdon campus
communities came together over the past week to celebrate cultural diversity and
the college’s achievement of FE College of Sanctuary status, recognising CRC’s work
in welcoming and providing education and training for asylum seekers, with ESOL
(English as a Second or Other Language) and sanctuary-seeking students sharing
their cultural heritage with the wider college community.

The joyous celebrations were an embodiment of the college’s ethos and values, of
creating an inclusive, welcoming, respectful and empowering environment for all.
This ethos was key in achieving FE College of Sanctuary status. The award recognises
the college’s work to make education inclusive and empowering for all, by providing
specialist support and education, and working to provide sanctuary for students in
the asylum system.

As an anchor institution in the region, the college provides English as a Second or
Other Language (ESOL) education to hundreds of students, many of whom are
displaced people seeking asylum from unimaginable circumstances. The events were
designed to facilitate cultural exchange, dialogue, connection and understanding
between all cultures.

Students sampled an array of food, wore traditional dress, and shared information
and activities for students to learn about each other’s language, culture and history.
The events included music and dancing, as students proudly showcased their
heritage.

CRC gained the FE College of Sanctuary award in November 2024, after an
assessment process reviewing cross college activities and support alongside CRC’s
signing of the Cambridge’s City of Sanctuary pledge. A moving testament to the
importance of providing this safe and empowering environment was seen with a
photography exhibition, by CRC Art Technician, Emanuela Cusin, displaying portrait
photos of a range of our ESOL and sanctuary-seeking students proud to share their
story.

Jonathan Ingham and Jeni Prettyman, who head up the ESOL Department, said: “Our
approach is cross-college which ensures all staff are aware of the needs of refugees
and sanctuary-seeking students, what barriers they might have to learning, and how
we can support and empower them.

“Our aim is to give sanctuary-seeking students a voice, the opportunity to learn and
to succeed and, above all else, a haven to feel safe and secure.

“Celebrations like this are just a small window into the generosity and inspiration we
see every day from our students.”

CRC’s Principal, Mark Robertson, said: “It was beyond wonderful to see the joy of
people from all over the world celebrating their cultures and their experience at CRC
and sharing their heritage through music, dance, food and dress with the whole
WeAreCRC community.

“Our fantastic students’ and staff’s efforts have made these days to cherish. Thank
you so much to everyone involved.

“The College of Sanctuary status underlines the role that CRC plays in offering those
who need sanctuary a place to learn free of fear, in a safe, welcoming and inclusive
environment. This enriches our whole student body and plays an important part in
supporting the region’s community and economic prosperity.”