Inverclyde’s St Columba’s High School has become the first secondary school in Scotland to receive a Level 2 Rights Respecting School Award by UNICEF UK.
UNICEF is the world’s leading organisation working for children and their rights. The Rights Respecting Schools Award is granted to schools that show commitment to promoting children’s rights and encouraging children and young people to respect the rights of others in school. The Level 2 Award is the highest given by UNICEF UK and shows a deep and thorough commitment to children’s rights at all levels of school life. There are a total of 180 Level 2 schools across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. St. Columba’s High School is the first Secondary School in Scotland to achieve this high level.
Head teacher of St. Columba’s High School, Jim Docherty said: “We are extremely proud of all the pupils and staff who have contributed to this spectacular achievement. The positive impact of becoming rights-respecting can be seen through many areas of the school, for example much more positive relationships and behaviour. Most of all, the students have improved self-confidence and better relationships with staff which together outlines our Curriculum for Excellence.”
Education & Communities Convener Councillor Terry Loughran added: “To be the first school in Inverclyde and Scotland is a significant achievement for St. Columba’s and I would like to pass on my congratulations to all the staff and pupils. Working with other schools, St. Columba’s has been very active in promoting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, encouraging others to develop their talents and to contribute to their own learning. It is great to see now the school’s hard work and efforts being recognised on such a high level.”
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. UNICEF UK Deputy Executive Director, Anita Tiessen, said: “The school very much impressed with how pupils and staff have fully embraced the rights-respecting ethos. Children at St Columba’s understand their rights, show respect for each other and are empowered to be positive, engaged citizens. It is great to see how St Columba’s High has truly put the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child at the heart of their school and we are very pleased that they have become the first secondary school in Scotland to achieve the UNICEF UK Level 2 Rights Respecting Schools Award.”
The school self-evaluates progress and when they believe they have met the standards an external assessment takes place and where the standards have been met a certificate is awarded. (Achieving Level 1 takes between 12 to 18 months).
The Rights Respecting Schools initiative now involves over 3,300 primary and secondary schools in the UK who have reported a positive impact on pupil behaviour, relationships and well-being by enhancing pupil’s self-esteem, leading to less truancy and bullying, better learning and improved academic standards.
Gerry McMurtrie, Children’s Rights Officer, Inverclyde: gerry.mcmurtrie@inverclyde.gov.uk
