School receives prestigious UNICEF UK Gold Award for the second time
Ysgol yn derbyn Gwobr Aur fawreddog UNICEF y DU am yr eildro
Pembroke Dock Community School has been awarded Gold for a second time 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.
Pembroke Dock Community School is the first school in Pembrokeshire to receive the Gold Award and is pleased to be recognised again.
The school has been working with UNICEF UK since 2015. It was awarded the Bronze certificate in 2016, then Silver and Gold in 2017.
The school was recently reaccredited with the Gold certificate and held a celebration event on the return to school this term to mark their achievement.
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.
Michele Thomas, Headteacher of Pembroke Dock Community School said: “Children’s rights are central to our vision for the school, where children and young people’s rights are respected, promoted and protected by everyone.
“We are very proud to be recognised as a Rights Respecting School with the Gold Award for the second time. Pupils in Pembroke Dock Community School have a real say in what happens in school. Pupils have learnt about being rights respecting global citizens, standing up for the rights of children in our community and the world.
“The Award recognises 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.”
Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language Cllr Guy Woodham congratulated the school on this important accolade.
“I am sure that pupils and staff at the school are extremely proud of receiving this Gold award and the fact it is for the second time is an outstanding achievement. It’s testament to the hard work of the school community.”
Pictured are Mrs Rachel Scott and Mrs Kate Clarke, lead teachers for Rights Respecting Schools and Super Ambassadors, pupils Jacob Williams and Tilly Prevel.
Notes to editors
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.