Students who have fled war-torn countries around the world to study at Northampton College have taken part in a nine-week programme of ‘Simple Acts’ to mark Refugee Week.
The event is the UK’s largest arts and culture festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and takes place this week under the theme of Courage, inviting organisations to explore what courage means in the context of establishing individual identity and rebuilding your life.
ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) students aged 16 to 19 based at the College’s Lower Mounts campus took part in a series of structured ‘Simple Acts’ designed to build confidence, connection and communication through shared experiences.
Activities included courageous conversations between students, staff and peers, a collaborative walk and talk with business students to Northampton Museum and Art Gallery to explore the town’s shoe heritage, film screenings, creative drawing and painting sessions and a large-scale picnic for 120 participants on the Racecourse featuring international food including falafel wraps.
Students also took part in ‘Move Together’ sessions involving XBOX gaming, dance and board games, alongside a celebration of cultural identity through wearing national dress.
Paula Price, Curriculum Manager for ESOL at Northampton College, said: “Many of our students arrive having experienced profound disruption and uncertainty, and for some, education has never been accessible before. What we see every day is the courage it takes simply to walk into a classroom, speak a new language, and begin again.
“This programme has focused on trust, confidence and connection. The Simple Acts have given students space to express themselves, share their stories if they wish, and feel part of a community that values them.”
The majority of learners are asylum seekers and refugees, with many arriving in the UK having experienced significant trauma, including war, forced displacement and long periods of instability. Some have had no access to formal education in their home countries and arrive at Northampton College completely illiterate, beginning their learning journey from the most basic level of English.
Students come from countries including Sudan, Eritrea, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Ukraine, Moldova, Romania and Somalia, reflecting the global nature of displacement and the diverse communities now calling Northampton home.
Jason Lancaster, Principal at Northampton College, said: “Our ESOL learners bring extraordinary resilience and lived experience, and we are committed to giving them every opportunity to rebuild their education and their confidence here.
“Many of these young people have faced circumstances no child or teenager should have to endure. These students are valuable members of our community and contribute greatly to its economic and cultural life, so I'm delighted that Refugee Week gives us an opportunity to recognise their contributions.
“We are proud of the way our staff and students have come together through this programme to demonstrate what a truly inclusive college community looks like. Education gives young people stability, direction and hope, and Refugee Week is a powerful reminder of why that matters.”
For more information about courses available at Northampton College from September, visit www.northamptoncollege.ac.uk.
