Dunlop Primary and Early Childhood Centre earns gold award

The school, which is one of just nine primary schools in East Ayrshire to earn this prestigious award, had to demonstrate that the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child had been embedded into their ethos and curriculum.

An assessor from UNICEF attended the school and met with Head Teacher Laura Kelly, Rights Respecting Coordinator Julie-Anne Bryce, the children, and parents and carers. He assessed that the children and the wider school community knew about and understood the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and could describe how it impacts on their lives and on the lives of children everywhere.

The strengths of the school were highlighted in the report which included – ‘confident pupils who clearly know they have rights and are committed to helping to realise these for other children locally and globally’; ‘a strong commitment to children’s rights and to RRSA from leaders at all levels tied into the vision and values of the school’ and ‘the extent to which pupils are listened to and involved in decision making at all levels’.

At a special assembly the children who were a core part of the Rights Respecting Schools journey unveiled their gold banner to great cheers from the whole school and special guests, local member Councillor Ellen Freel, parent reps Mrs Salt and Mrs MacLellan, and Katie and Ruaridh from the Early Childhood Centre.

Councillor Elaine Cowan, Spokesperson for Education and, Children and Young People said: “I am delighted to offer my congratulations to Dunlop Primary and ECC on earning their Gold: Rights Respecting Award from UNICEF.

“There are four key areas of impact for children and young people at a Rights Respecting school – wellbeing, participation, relationships and self-esteem. The aim of the journey to the Gold Award is to ensure that the children and young people are healthier and happier, that they feel safe, that they have better relationships and that they are active and involved in school life and the wider world.

“At Dunlop Primary, the children have clearly shown that they understand the importance of education in their lives. Article 29 of the UN Convention of Child Rights was central to the school’s journey – ‘Children’s education should help them fully develop their personalities, talents and abilities. It should teach them to understand their own rights and to respect other people’s rights, cultures and differences. It should help them to live peacefully and protect the environment.’

Head Teacher Laura Kelly said: “It is a matter of great pride that our school has earned the Gold: Rights Respecting Award. This award demonstrates that children’s rights are embedded across the school and underpin every facet of school life. The report by the RRSA assessor demonstrates the importance of children’s rights in the classroom and that the children regularly lead discussions on rights, even when it is not part of a lesson plan. I was also very pleased that our monthly Dignity Spotlights were highlighted by the RRSA assessor, which clearly respect each child’s worth and our pupil-led assembles on Fairness and Equity, which demonstrate how dignity is lived in everyday interactions.

“Rights Respecting Schools is lived and breathed through staff and children, we’re all invested in it, and it is our duty to make sure it is embedded.”

Every school in East Ayrshire has now committed to starting their Rights Respecting Schools journey.