St Laurence's is proud to be a ICONS School

We believe children and young people can positively impact their school and local community, challenge prejudice, foster peaceful relationships and celebrate diversity.

We believe schools are the exact right place to learn and practice how to be peacebuilders. 

We believe that both staff and students need to learn how to manage conflict in positive and creative ways.

ICONS(International Cross of Nails Schools) is an growing network of primary and secondary schools – of all shapes and backgrounds – around the world that have recognised the opportunity for introducing principles of peace, forgiveness, conflict transformation and reconciliation into their school communities. In our network we have : 

• 17 international
• 18 Secondary
• 24 Primary
• 11 All-through schools

There are ICONS in Germany, Northern Ireland, Austria, Netherlands, South Africa, Israel/Palestine, USA and Hong Kong, as well as our many partner schools in the UK. In joining the ICONS network, schools also become partners with the CCN and are welcomed into an even wider family of organisations, places of worship, and schools all working towards peace and reconciliation in their respective communities.

What do ICON Schools do?

ICONS embrace the 3 themes of its sister organisation the Community of the Cross of Nails:

• Healing the Wounds of History
• Living with Difference and Celebrating Diversity
• Building a Culture of Peace

These three themes are worked out differently in each ICON School, depending on the school’s context. For some schools this includes use of restorative practices, lessons on peace-building and reconciliation, use of art and picture books to develop skills such as empathy and forgiveness,  and pupil-driven projects to build bridges with the local community.

In order to apply for ICON School status, schools will need to have formed a relationship with Coventry Cathedral through network meetings or visiting and be able to demonstrate reconciliation as embedded at the heart of the school vision, ethos and daily life.

We believe children and young people can positively impact their school and local community, challenge prejudice, foster peaceful relationships and celebrate diversity.