St Columba’s Gets Gold!

Published by St Columba's School, Kilmacolm on Friday 31st of January 2025

St Columba’s School has been awarded Gold 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. 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. St Columba’s is the only Scottish school to achieve this accreditation from Early Years to Sixth Year.

Rector, Victoria Reilly said: “Achieving Gold Rights Respecting School status is an important milestone in the history of our school; one that we are incredibly proud of. That we have achieved this together – from our littlest learners to the sixth-year students preparing to go out into the world – makes it even more special. My sincere thanks must go to Jan Fulton, Depute Rector (Pastoral), and her team of staff, pupils and parents who have worked tirelessly to guide us through our Rights Respecting journey. We may have reached our goal, but we know that the work does not stop here. We will continue to nurture a safe and inclusive community for all Columbans and to promote social justice.”

The Award recognises 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.

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.