{
  "$type": "site.standard.document",
  "bskyPostRef": {
    "cid": "bafyreidvk7hdwvqh42w6f2jagoroylyp4wlvytaldltzjnmsxhojvqwhy4",
    "uri": "at://did:plc:oznbnvgr7dmvddiyvr7dih52/app.bsky.feed.post/3mnejrc2etge2"
  },
  "coverImage": {
    "$type": "blob",
    "ref": {
      "$link": "bafkreiawcjpgbtjos6s5o34k5yyex4jwi7gvgyefysojd73blwrgiob6my"
    },
    "mimeType": "image/png",
    "size": 2278773
  },
  "path": "/politics/conservatives-schools-vehicles-indoctrination",
  "publishedAt": "2026-06-03T05:00:01.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "‘As a father, I felt sick watching it!' Keir Starmer shares reaction to Henry Nowak footage",
    "State pensioners 'priority' for DWP despite 60,000 veterans losing payment boost, Labour claims",
    "Britons recommended to 'cycle more and eat less meat' to hit Net Zero targets",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nThe Conservatives has taken aim at the Education Secretary over a “day of welcome” initiative being promoted by a network of primary and secondary schools ahead of \"Refugee Week\".\n\nIn a strongly-worded letter to Bridget Phillipson, Laura Trott said she is “increasingly concerned” about the use of resources, materials and books being used to “push highly politicised messaging” on subjects such as immigration.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe Shadow Education Secretary insisted schools should not be used as “vehicles for political indoctrination”.\n\nFreedom of Information (FOI) requests seen by GB News reveal ministers have met with Schools of Sanctuary to discuss taxpayer funding for the organisation's activities – including proposals for funding to expand its reach into more colleges.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nMs Trott told Ms Phillipson: “(It) raises serious questions about the Government’s oversight of the organisation and the extent to which public institutions are facilitating political campaigning in classrooms.”\n\nSchools of Sanctuary is an organisation whose stated aim is to turn children into “ethically informed change-makers”.\n\nThe organisation describes the “day of welcome” on Friday, June 12, as “a day of solidarity and learning”, with over 820 schools and 220,000 young people taking part in 2025.\n\nSchools of Sanctuary's website claims the day of welcome aims to educate and support refugee pupils, as well as their families.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nMs Trott informed Ms Phillipson she is concerned schools facing acute financial pressures are being “encouraged to give taxpayer-funded money to Schools of Sanctuary” through membership schemes, accreditation and fundraising activities.\n\nShe asked the Labour minister to clarify what assessments the Department of Education has made of Schools of Sanctuary resources and activities.\n\nThe Tory frontbencher also asked Ms Phillipson to clarify what steps are being taken to ensure there is no politically partisan campaigning.\n\nMiss Trott went on to question whether Whitehall will review and remove inappropriate materials currently being promoted in schools through Schools of Sanctuary.\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:\n\n\n\n\n  * ‘As a father, I felt sick watching it!' Keir Starmer shares reaction to Henry Nowak footage\n  * State pensioners 'priority' for DWP despite 60,000 veterans losing payment boost, Labour claims\n  * Britons recommended to 'cycle more and eat less meat' to hit Net Zero targets\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nSchools of Sanctuary have promoted children’s books and classroom materials containing messaging aimed at youngsters.\n\nOne of the books, which is aimed at readers as young as five, illustrated this with a flotilla of small boats filled with cartoon animals, including lions and giraffes.\n\nThe Shadow Education Secretary concluded by saying: “There is a growing public concern that activist organisations increasingly view schools as a captive audience through which to advance ideological causes.\n\n“It is essential that classrooms remain places of education rather than ideological campaigning.”\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nA spokesman from the Department for Education told GB News: “It is absolutely right that pupils receive a balanced presentation of opposing views on political topics.\n\n“That’s why we have published clear guidance to help schools navigate this responsibility and it’s why we require schools to actively promote fundamental British values like democracy, the rule of law, and mutual respect and tolerance.\n\n“This isn’t optional, it’s the law.”\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n**\n**\n\n**\n**\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Conservatives demand schools are not used as 'vehicles for migrant indoctrination'"
}