A PRIMARY school has again received a top accolade for its commitment to children’s rights.
Oakley Cross Primary School, in West Auckland, is to be re-awarded the Gold award by Unicef UK’s Rights Respecting School programme.
It is granted to schools that show commitment to promoting children’s rights and encouraging adults, children and young people to respect the rights of others in school. Gold is the highest accolade given by Unicef UK. There are more than 400 schools across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales to have received it. Oakley Cross Primary School has been working with Unicef UK since 2011. It first received level two (now gold) in 2016.
The headteacher of Oakley Cross Primary School, Rachel Brannan, said: “We are extremely proud to have maintained our Gold status which really shows the huge commitment of our whole school community – children, staff, parents, governors and our wider community.
“Our whole school ethos is underpinned by the principles set out by Unicef UK and we aim for all of our children to grow into thoughtful, responsible and respectful young people who not only understand that they as individuals have rights but also that the rights of others must be respected. Thank you to our children and staff for continuing to demonstrate what we know about our rights and for continuing to model rights and respect in all we do. This makes Oakley Cross a very special place to learn and to work.”
The award recognises achievement in putting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child at the heart of a school’s planning, policies and practice.
Schools getting it have reported a positive impact on pupil behaviour, relationships and wellbeing by enhancing pupil’s self-esteem, leading to less truancy and bullying, better learning and improved academic standards.
