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By Alastair HamiltonJune 18th 2017
Alastair Hamilton

Shetland’s schools, as well as offering a high standard of education, have always been outward-looking and internationalist; it was in Lerwick’s Anderson High School that the Global Classroom, linking schools around the world, was conceived.

Now, a small primary school in the northern island of Yell has won an award from Unicef.

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.

The Level 2 Award is the highest accolade given under the scheme. It confirms that Cullivoe Primary School recognises thorough commitment to children’s rights at all levels of school life. Cullivoe’s pupils join those from over 300 schools across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales that have received it; a further 4,500 schools are working towards the award.

the highest accolade given under the scheme

The Award recognises the school’s 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.

Claire Lawson, Head Teacher of Cullivoe School, said: “We are very pleased to achieve this award for the work done by the pupils to learn about their rights and those of children around the world. The UN Convention of the Rights of the Child is at the heart of everything we do. This award also reflects the rights respecting ethos within the school, where children and adults have really positive relationships and children are fully involved in making decisions about their learning.” You can read the school blog here.

Unicef is the world’s leading organisation in working for children. It promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, working in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action.

You can read more about the three stages of the award on the Unicef website. Cullivoe Primary achieved level 1 in June 2015.

Congratulations go to all involved!

The UN Convention of the Rights of the Child is at the heart of everything we do