A BEARSDEN school has received a prestigious children’s rights award.

Baljaffray Primary achieved gold in the UNICEF UK’s Rights Respecting School programme, which encourages adults and young people to respect the rights of others in school.

The East Dunbartonshire is school joins around 600 others across the UK who have gold awards.

Headteacher Lesley Rodden said, “I am absolutely delighted - children’s rights have become the driver of what we do and they are at the very centre of our curriculum.

“Our children have been very motivated by this approach, contributing to our positive school ethos.”

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Councillor Lynda Williamson, East Dunbartonshire’s education convener, said: “This award is well deserved; the school has worked hard to build on the foundations that have been in place for many years at Baljaffray Primary. Congratulations to everyone involved.”

UNICEF Rights Respecting Schools Award programme director Martin Russell said: “Children at Baljaffray Primary School understand and are strongly committed to children’s rights.

“They have played a strong ambassadorial role with other schools in the UK and from further afield, and the school is fully committed to engaging and empowering all students to have a voice and develop as leaders.

“Upon entering the school premises, it is clear that the Convention is central to the school’s ethos and we are very pleased to be awarding them as Gold: Rights Respecting.”

The UNICEF UK Rights Respecting Schools initiative currently works with nearly 5000 schools across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Schools taking part 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.