College of Sanctuary

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.
Keighley College

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

Refugee Film Festival

Refugee Week

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.

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The work of the ESOL Summer School

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.

KC students and staff accepting an award for college of sanctuary
KC students and staff accepting an award for college of sanctuary

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.

Three students smiling standing in front of creative patchwork quilt

Read more here

Yorkshire Post

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.

A Keighley College student on stage with host at Eastwood Primary School talking about their journey 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.

Three students and a member of staff posing with the award in front of a football mural

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!

KC students and staff accepting an award for college of sanctuary
KC student accepting an award for college of sanctuary
Bradford Sanctuary Seekers Education Awards 2025

Frequently Asked Questions