St Cyres School in Penarth has been recognised as the first School of Sanctuary in the Vale of Glamorgan.

The secondary school gained recognition by adhering to the Equalities Act 2010 and fulfilling a range of other criteria, such as learning about the issues around forced migration, sharing values and activities with the local community, and creating a safe and inclusive culture.

The Schools of Sanctuary network is a group of more than 300 primary and secondary schools committed to supporting the thousands of young people seeking sanctuary in the UK.

They aim to create a culture of welcome and inclusion whilst raising awareness of the issues faced by refugees and asylum seekers.

Cllr Lis Burnett, cabinet member for Regeneration and Education, said: "I'm proud that St Cyres has become the first Vale school to be awarded School of Sanctuary status.

"That is testament to the warm environment of tolerance and acceptance which has always been a fundamental part of the school's culture. These values are also central to the Vale of Glamorgan Council's ethos, and I hope more of our schools will follow their lead and join this network in the near future."

Jane Hutt, minister for Social Justice, added: "We all have a part to play in welcoming those who seek sanctuary here and St Cyres has demonstrated this by becoming the first school in the Vale of Glamorgan to achieve School of Sanctuary status."

Click here to find out more about the Schools of Sanctuary initiative.