Children’s rights are golden in schools
Schools across North Ayrshire have been going for gold when it comes to protecting and promoting children’s rights.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) became part of Scots law in summer 2024, highlighting that everyone has an ongoing responsibility to protect the rights of our children.
North Ayrshire Council follows and respects the UNCRC to ensure that all children’s rights are respected and that they are free to learn, play and develop.
Children have been learning about these rights in school and a total of 16 primary schools and one high school have already been awarded the UNICEF UK Gold Rights Respecting Schools Award (RRSA).
This is granted to schools which have fully embedded children’s rights throughout the school in its policies, practice and ethos. Professional advisers look at the whole school’s rights respecting work and the impact that has been made by embedding children’s rights into school life before the award is approved.
To receive a Gold award, schools must:
- adopt a child rights approach based on the UNCRC when it comes to policy, practice and culture
- ensure everyone has a thorough understanding of child rights, and rights respecting attitudes and language are embedded across the school
- show that RRSA has had a positive impact on children and young people’s learning and wellbeing and
- illustrate how students see themselves as rights respecting global citizens and are advocates for social justice, fairness and children’s rights.
Quote: As a local authority we are very proud of the work being done on UNCRC by staff, pupils and parents in our schools. We all have a responsibility to advocate for the rights of our children to ensure they are free to learn, play and develop. We have to do everything we can to help them thrive. So, congratulations to the 17 Gold RRSA schools for all their hard work and effort – I am sure many more will follow their example and achieve the same standard
Quote from: Councillor Shaun Macaulay, Cabinet Member for Education and Young People
All 17 schools are proud to be setting the standard and some have shared their views on attaining UNCRC Gold.
Stephanie Incoronato, Headteacher at Stanley Primary in Ardrossan, said: “All of our children and staff are very proud that we have Gold recognition for the way in which children's rights are championed in the school.”
The UNCRC Pupil Leadership Group at Corsehill Primary in Kilwinning, said: “Learning about the rights of the child has made us feel more important because our voices are being heard, and our ideas are being used throughout the school."
Michelle Kerr, Depute Headteacher at St Anthony’s Primary in Saltcoats, added: “Children’s rights are at the heart of all we do at Saint Anthony’s. It is our mission to empower our children as the change makers of Scotland and beyond.”
Elaine Sanderson, Headteacher at Irvine’s Glebe Primary, commented: “The Gold Award reflects the hard work and dedication of everyone at Glebe and highlights our ongoing commitment to promoting respect, inclusion and the rights of every child in our school community. We are very proud!”
Jacqueline Robertson, Headteacher at Elderbank Primary in Irvine, added: “At Elderbank, all pupils are fully involved in the UNCRC, ensuring that every voice is heard and every individual is included in promoting children's rights, co-ordinated by our UNCRC Leadership Group."
At St Mary’s Primary in Largs, the Rights Respecting Pupil Leadership Group said: “We are proud to be Gold! It demonstrates our commitment to ensuring our whole school community benefits from rights-based practice. We love collaborating with other schools to support them in their journey to Gold.”
Headteacher Stephanie Fisher added: “We are proud to receive the Gold award, which celebrates our commitment to embedding children's rights, fostering respect and inclusion, and empowering every child to thrive."
Natalie McGinley, Principal Teacher at Dalry Primary School, said: “At Dalry Primary, a common language of rights shapes relationships. Pupils are empowered to make a difference, whether on their individual learning, the life of the school or into the wider world."
All schools across North Ayrshire work tirelessly on a daily basis to embed this gold standard of for children’s rights into learning.
The Convention details how we must protect, listen to and nurture our children aged up to 18, ranging from them being given a name at birth and an education, through to good health care and protection from neglect.
Current UNCRC Gold Rights Respecting Schools in North Ayrshire are: Ardeer Primary School; Beith Primary School; Corsehill Primary School; Dalry Primary School; Dykesmains Primary School; Elderbank Primary School; Glebe Primary School; Glencairn Primary School; Hayocks Primary School; Skelmorlie Primary School; Stanley Primary School; St Anthony’s Primary School; St Bridget’s Primary School; St Luke’s Primary School; St Mary’s Primary School St Matthew’s Academy and Whitehirst Primary School.
Published: 23 April 2025