A SCHOOL near Glasgow is celebrating after achieving an elite human rights award.

Staff and pupils at Holy Cross Primary School and Nursery class in Croy in North Lanarkshire are “delighted” to have been granted UNICEF UK Gold Rights Respecting Schools Status.

It is the highest accolade awarded to schools which show “a deep and thorough commitment to children’s rights at all levels of school life.”

Marie Murphy, headteacher, said: “We were delighted with the feedback received in the report from UNICEF and in particular the praise for the children and their knowledge and understanding of their rights.

“The assessors also commended our engagement with parents, including our ‘curry and curriculum’ sessions which were very well received.

“We were also pleased the report recognised the hard work of all the staff at the school and nursery and the range of participation opportunities that were available to the children.

“Ensuring we put children’s rights at the heart of everything we do at the school is crucial. I want to say a massive thank-you to all the parish, pupils, parents, carers and our wonderful staff for achieving this award, it really has been an outstanding team effort.”

Provost Kenneth Duffy, who joined North Lanarkshire Council’s convener of education and families, Councillor Angela Campbell in congratulating the school, said: “A huge amount of hard work and effort has been required to achieve the gold status and everyone associated with the school can feel very proud of this award.”

UNICEF is a world leading organisation working for children and their rights. The Rights Respecting Schools Award is granted to schools which show commitment to promoting and realising children's rights while encouraging pupils to respect the rights of others at school and in the wider community.