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As the new school year begins, classrooms across the UK are welcoming students from all over the world, including children who have been displaced. Some of their experiences, captured in a series of drawings, tell a powerful story of starting again in a new school in the UK.  

Created by children from Ukraine and Afghanistan, these pictures not only spotlight the challenges these young people face and the resilience they demonstrate, but also the importance of creating supportive learning environments. 

Launched in the UK in 2022, the ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡â€™s Healing Classrooms programme supports schools and teachers to develop inclusive and nurturing environments for refugee and asylum-seeking students. Training and resources help transform schools into safe spaces where all children, including those from refugee backgrounds, can thrive. 

Feeling overwhelmed 

Fourteen-year-old Mariia's digital images show her feeling overwhelmed by her first day at school. Mariia had to leave her home in Lviv in Ukraine when the war escalated in 2022. Along with her mother Halyna and 11-year-old brother Mykhailo, the family moved in with Mariia’s uncle in London.  

Photo: Mariia for the ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡

Photo: Mariia for the ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡

One powerful image shows Mariia surrounded by questions from curious classmates: "Where are you from?", "Can you even talk?", "What are your hobbies?" This captures the social challenges newcomers face, while another picture show Mariia’s desire to find a safe space and be left alone.  

Mariia’s younger brother Mykhailo used felt-tip pens to express a mix of emotions - fear and nervousness alongside excitement and happiness. One of his drawings celebrates performing in "Star Warts," a school play based on Star Wars that helped him feel more at home in his new environment, as well as using Lego at breaktime which helped him to feel calm and settled. 

Read more about Halyna and her family's story here. 

Photo: Mykhailo for the ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡

Photo: Mykhailo for the ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡

Photo: Mykhailo for the ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡

Unfamiliar surroundings 

In Hampshire, siblings Mudasir, 10, and Musbah, 7, from Afghanistan shared their own journey through art. Mudasir's drawings depict the transition from home-cooked meals to fish and chip school dinners.  

Photo: Mudasir for the ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡

Photo: Mudasir for the ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡

Photo: Mudasir for the ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡

Another image shows Mudasir entering a new classroom for the first time, his sad expression contrasting with the unfamiliar surroundings. When asked how he spent his break time at school, Mudasir drew himself separated from the rest of his class on his first day, who were all playing together.  

"On day one everybody was playing outside during playtime and I was sitting alone," he said. Mudasir added: "Everything was new and I was shy in the class and I felt like stranger. I didn't know how to ask to go to the washroom and couldn't think what to do if I wanted to see my mum as I was scared."

Photo: Musbah for the ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡

Photo: Musbah for the ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡

Musbah faced a similar challenge as her brother and pictured herself walking into her classroom with an anxious face while meeting a new friend. In another drawing, Musbah can also be seen smiling with a friend during her first lunchtime.  

When talking about her first day, Musbah said: "I was crying. First everybody was looking at me and my teacher helped me find friends, I sat with them, started doing some play and then had our lunch."

How we help students and teachers 

These artworks provide insights into the challenges refugee children face and the importance of tailored support.  

The Healing Classrooms approach recognises that a child's emotional well-being is key to their academic success. It focuses on preparing schools and staff for new refugee students, creating welcoming environments, setting up buddy systems, and adapting teaching methods to meet the unique needs of refugee students. 

This approach is evident as the children's artwork reveals the importance of seemingly small things - from Lego play during breaks, to finding a safe space - in helping them adjust to their new lives. Through programmes like Healing Classrooms, schools across the UK can ensure that every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential. 

To sign up for free Healing Classrooms sessions with educators from across the UK, visit our online training page.

To sign up for free bespoke sessions for your whole school or academy chain, email: [email protected].

If you are an out-of-school organisation or activity provider, sign up for our free Healing Spaces sessions. Click here for more information.