Northwood Primary School in Thamesmead has been celebrating this week after two great successes.

Northwood is the first school in London to be awarded School of Sanctuary status.

Not only this, following a successful campaign by pupils, a new road crossing is now in full use on Yarnton Way near the junction with Northwood Place.

On September 25, Bexley’s Mayor, Cllr Geraldine Lucia-Henis attended a special Assembly at the school to formally present the School of Sanctuary award, and to visit the new road crossing.

The School of Sanctuary programme began in Yorkshire and whilst there are now Schools of Sanctuary across the country, Northwood is the first school in London to have been recognised.

A School of Sanctuary is a school committed to being a safe and welcoming place for all.

This could be people who have troubles at home, whose lives were in danger in their own country, or who are just looking for a place of safety.

Everyone at Northwood is extremely proud to have been recognised for the award which compliments their 2018 recognition as a Gold Level UNICEF Rights Respecting School.

The school has a very strong ethos of safety and inclusion for all, with the belief that everybody has a right to feel secure and valued.

After Assembly a group of Northwood pupils and staff accompanied the Mayor to see the new road crossing installed by Bexley Council over the summer.

Previously Northwood pupils and local residents were forced to walk some way along Yarnton Way to find a safe place to cross.

There were concerns that someone may be injured by attempting to cross the busy dual-carriageway without a safe place to cross.

Over several months pupils and staff campaigned for a new crossing so were delighted when Bexley Council agreed to its installation.