Westerton Primary School in Bearsden has been awarded Gold by UNICEF UK’s Rights Respecting School programme.
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 and realising 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 and shows a deep and thorough commitment to children’s rights at all levels of school life. There are over 600 schools across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales that have received Gold, including ten in East Dunbartonshire.
Staff and pupils at Westerton Primary have been working closely with UNICEF UK to achieve this prestigious award, having gained Silver status in October, 2024.
They received their Gold certificate at a day of fun and celebration attended by Councillor Lynda Williamson, Convener of East Dunbartonshire Council’s Education Committee.
Headteacher, Kate Turnbull said, “Everyone at Westerton Primary School has worked incredibly hard throughout our rights journey, and receiving the Gold Award from UNICEF UK is the icing on the cake for our whole school community.
“The Rights Respecting Schools Award has had a truly transformative impact, not just on our school culture, but on our pupils themselves. When children understand their own rights and the rights of others, it shapes everything: how they learn, how they treat one another, and how they engage with the world around them.
“Putting children’s rights at the heart of all we do has made Westerton a kinder, more inclusive school, and I couldn’t be prouder of every pupil, parent and member of staff who has made this possible. My sincere thanks to all who have contributed to this significant achievement.”
It takes a tremendous amount of hard work to be recognised by UNICEF in this way and on my visit to the school I saw the results of everyone’s efforts first hand
Councillor Lynda Williamson added, “Congratulations to everyone at Westerton Primary on their well-deserved Gold Award. It takes a tremendous amount of hard work to be recognised by UNICEF in this way and on my visit to the school I saw the results of everyone’s efforts first hand. It is clear that everyone involved got so much out of it and it has had a lasting impact on the whole school community.
“It is so important that young people’s rights are taught and discussed in a supportive classroom environment where respect for self and others is encouraged. This leads to a culture of acceptance and co-operation, providing pupils with an effective and nurturing place to learn and develop.”
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. A Rights Respecting School is a community where children’s rights are learned, taught, practised, respected, protected and promoted.
UNICEF UK Rights Respecting Schools Programme Director, Martin Russell, said, “We are very pleased to be awarding Westerton Primary School Gold; Rights Respecting. It is clear that the whole school has embraced a culture based on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
“Westerton Primary is a very inclusive school where children report feeling valued and safe irrespective of their background. Pupils also have many genuine opportunities to have their views heard and influence key aspect of school life, in turn creating a positive learning environment. It was also clear that children had an excellent grasp of children’s rights and social justice, and so did school staff, parents, carers and the school’s governors. Everyone should be very proud of their achievement.”
The UNICEF UK Rights Respecting Schools initiative is aimed at schools across the UK, including those in an early years setting. 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 across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Schools have reported a positive impact on pupil behaviour, relationships and well-being by enhancing pupils’ self-esteem, leading to less truancy and bullying, better learning and improved academic standards.
