A charity which asked children as young as five to write Valentine’s Day cards for asylum seekers has been reported to a watchdog.
Schools of Sanctuary, a small refugee-sector charity, launched the programme in primary schools across Britain last year.
On February 14, 2024, children were asked to send messages of ‘love and solidarity’ by making handmade cards for asylum seekers.
Slogans inside cards included, ‘You’re welcome here!’, and ‘I love refugee rights, stop the Rwanda scheme.’
In another card, an accompanying poem read: ‘Roses are red, violets are blue, refugees are people, just like me and you.’
Schoolchildren were also encouraged to discuss topics such as ‘kindness, humanity, and equality’, and to raise money for local charities with their class or wider school.
Some cards featured an orange heart, which represents compassion for those fleeing war and is inspired by the refugee nation flag, according to Together With Refugees.
Regarding the matter, Laura Trott, the shadow education secretary, previously said ‘children as young as five shouldn’t be used to push political agendas’.
And now, Sir Gavin Williamson, former Tory Education Secretary, has asked the Charity Commission to probe the branch of the City of Sanctuary charity.
Schoolchildren as young as five are being asked to write Valentine’s Day cards to asylum seekers by charity Schools of Sanctuary (stock image)
Sir Gavin Williamson, former Tory Education Secretary, has since urged the Charity Commissiin to probe the branch of the City of Sanctuary charity
He alleged Schools of Sanctuary were ‘engaging in political activity’, and acting in a way that was not ‘consistent with its charitable purpose’, The Telegraph reported.
And while a Commission spokesperson confirmed has received a complaint of ‘alleged political activity’ concerning City of Sanctuary, it has yet to make any decision.
On its website, the Schools of Sanctuary described itself as ‘a registered charity and therefore apolitical.
‘Our primary focus is the dignity and humanity of individuals seeking safety and the creation of a kinder, more compassionate society – not the politics surrounding immigration policies.’
However, the MP said there were ‘numerous’ examples where the charity acted politically, including their Valentine’s Day Card scheme.
He argued such initiatives encouraged people to participate in ‘overtly political activity’, noting a post including a card which read: ‘Stop the Rwanda Scheme’.
The former education secretary also claimed the charity’s literature referred to the UK’s asylum system as ‘deliberately hostile’ to those fleeing to Britain.
Its resource pack also said government legislation fed into ‘anti-immigrant sentiment, racism, and stressing community cohesion.’
Laura Trott, the shadow education secretary (pictured), previously said that ‘children as young as five shouldn’t be used to push political agendas’.
The Charity Commission has yet to reach a conclusion on the report, but if it decides to launch an inquiry and misconduct is found, it can instruct a charity to take action.
Among the local authorities to partner with the Schools of Sanctuary Network is Labour-run Birmingham City Council.
While teachers cannot promote political views in the classroom there is no suggestion that writing the Valentine’s Day cards broke the law.
A City of Sanctuary UK spokesperson said: ‘We follow all Charity Commission guidelines and are confident that we are working within our charitable aims, we will fully cooperate with any Charity Commission investigation.’
A Charity Commission spokesperson said: ‘Concerns have been raised with us about alleged political activity linked to City of Sanctuary. We are currently assessing the information available to determine if there is a regulatory role for us.’
