A WIRRAL school has been awarded a prestigious accolade by UNICEF. 

Bidston Avenue Primary School is to receive a Gold award by UNICEF UK’s Rights Respecting School programme in recognition of their commitment to children's rights at all levels of school life. 

 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 there are over 600 schools across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales that have received the accolade. 

Headteacher of Bidston Avenue Primary School, Stuart Brady, said: “We are delighted to receive national recognition and this award acknowledges our 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. A huge well done and thank you to all of our pupils, staff and governors.”

UNICEF UK Rights Respecting Schools Programme Director, Martin Russell, said: “We are very pleased to be awarding Bidston Avenue 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. Bidston Avenue Primary School 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.