Harwood Park Primary celebrates prestigious UNICEF Silver award for rights respecting schools

Tuesday, 6 May 2025 10:41

By David Murphy

Harwood Park Primary School in Rochdale has been awarded the Silver Rights Respecting School Award by UNICEF UK.

The award is given to schools that demonstrate progress in embedding the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child into their ethos and teaching. To achieve the Silver level, schools must show that children’s rights are understood and respected throughout the school community and that these rights are being actively promoted in policies and daily practice.

Harwood Park has introduced a team of Rights Ambassadors, made up of pupils from across the school, to help lead initiatives that promote awareness of children’s rights. These ambassadors support the school’s efforts to create a respectful and inclusive learning environment.

One of the Rights Ambassadors, Logan Meredith, aged 9, said: “Children’s rights are important because they ensure children can have a good and fair life. I am proud that Harwood Park has been awarded silver because this means everyone at school knows about children’s rights and how children should be treated.”

The Rights Respecting Schools Award is structured in three stages, Bronze, Silver and Gold. Each level recognises a greater depth of commitment to the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Silver status confirms that Harwood Park is making significant progress and is working towards the highest standard, Gold.

UNICEF’s framework assesses schools on leadership, knowledge of children’s rights, school culture and relationships, and pupil participation.

Harwood Park Primary’s achievement contributes to Rochdale’s broader focus on inclusion, equality and rights in education settings.