Tuesday 14 June 2022
La Houguette Primary 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.
La Houguette has been working with UNICEF UK since October 2018. They received their Silver certificate in July 2020. The school was awarded with the Gold certificate to mark their achievement during their picnic-on-the-field Jubilee celebrations on 27th May with parents, carers and members of the school community invited.
Claire Judd, Headteacher of La Houguette Primary School, said:
'I am immensely proud that the school is to receive the Gold Award from UNICEF UK. Rights Respecting School has clarified the vision and ethos of our school. Our La Houguette values underpin everything, and rights seamlessly intertwine with them. Rights have become a focus of our school aims and mission, with articles forming the basis of our policies. It gives them purpose. Everyone has worked so hard over the last few years and it is well deserved. Thank you to all involved, especially Mrs Feak, the Rights Team and our whole school community.'
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.
Jilly Hillier, UNICEF UK Rights Respecting Schools Professional Adviser for the South West, said:
'I am delighted that La Houguette Primary School has achieved RRSA Gold - only the second school in Guernsey! Children were knowledgeable about their rights and are keen to use their voice to make a positive difference. Well done!'
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.
