SCHOOL COUNCIL AND RIGHTS RESPECTING SCHOOLS 2025-26

During the last academic year, St Nicholas C/W Primary School proudly achieved the RIGHTS RESPECTING SCHOOLS GOLD AWARD, only the second school in the Vale of Glamorgan to achieve this accolade. It has been an incredible journey since attaining the Bronze Award in 2022. Pupil Voice, Community Links, Global Rights for children and strong links with our European Ersmus Partners are some of the many elements that run strongly through the school.

 

Here is the official press release to accompany the award.

PRESS RELEASE

Monday 28^th April

St. Nicholas C/W Primary School in the Vale of Glamorgan receives prestigious UNICEF UK Gold Award

St. Nicholas C/W Primary school in the Vale of Glamorgan 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.

The school has been working with UNICEF UK since 2018. They received their Silver certificate in November 2022. St. Nicholas C/W Primary School was awarded the Gold certificate to mark their achievement in January 2026 St. Nicholas is only the second Primary School in the Vale of Glamorgan to achieve Gold status.

Headteacher of St. Nicholas C/W Primary School], Miss Evans], said: “Headteacher of St. Nicholas C/W Primary School, Miss Evans, said: “We are proud to receive the UNICEF UK Gold Award, recognising our commitment to putting children’s rights at the heart of our family school. This achievement reflects a community where every child is valued and heard and supports our vision that “faith + family + future = endless possibilities.” This success is down to the dedication and commitment of our pupils, staff, and wider community, who bring these values to life every day. I am so proud to be part of such a wonderful school”

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. UNICEF UK Rights Respecting Schools Programme Director, Martin Russell, said: “[quote to be provided by UNICEF UK]”

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.

 

 

 

 

 

  

In 2024, we were accredited as a Silver Rights Respecting Schools.