A Wigan secondary school is celebrating a prestigious international honour for respecting pupils' rights
A Wigan school has received an internationally acclaimed award from UNICEF in recognition of its work surrounding pupils’ rights.
A Wigan school has been presented with UNICEF UK’s highest accolade for promoting and respecting its pupils' rights.
Dean Trust Wigan has been honoured with a Gold award from UNICEF UK’s Rights Respecting Schools Award programme, which is granted to schools that demonstrate a “commitment to promoting and realising children’s rights and encouraging adults, children and young people to respect the rights of others in school”.
The Orrell institution is one of only five schools in the North West to hold the award, and the only state-funded non-denominational mainstream school to do so.
The Gold award, granted by the world’s leading organisation working for children and their rights, is held by around 600 schools across the UK and recognises a school’s “deep and thorough commitment to children’s rights at all levels of school life”.
Headteacher Jen Evans said:
“Receiving this award is a testament to our inclusive and child-centred culture, with children’s rights at the heart of our school.
“This has resulted in pupils’ attendance rising above the national average, a positive behaviour culture, and improved attainment.
“Over the past three years, we have developed a Community of Belonging here at Dean Trust Wigan where every pupil feels seen and heard. All pupils contribute to a strong and proactive pupil voice and pupil leadership structure and have access to a wealth of curriculum enhancement and extra-curricular opportunities.
“I would like to take the opportunity to thank pupils, parents and carers, staff and wider community partners for their hard work and support in putting children and their rights at the heart of all we do.”
Martin Russell, RRSA Programme Director at UNICEF UK, said:
“I was delighted to hear that Dean Trust Wigan has become the first Gold Rights Respecting School in the area.
“Knowing that the pupils in the school can speak about their rights and understand concepts such as equity, respect and inclusion is truly inspiring. Congratulations to the young people, the staff and the wider school community.”
UNICEF is the world’s leading organisation working for children and their rights.
Currently, it works with nearly 5,000 primary schools, secondary schools, schools for children and young people with special educational needs and pupil referral units acrossthe UK.
Schools have reported a positive impact on pupil behaviour, relationships and well-being by enhancing pupils’ self-esteem, leading to reduced truancy and bullying, improved learning and higher academic standards.