A PRIMARY school has become one of the first in the region to receive a UNICEF award for its work to respect children’s rights.

THE Federation of Abbey Schools in Darlington has been awarded the Rights Respecting School Award (RRSA) for recognising the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) through its core planning, policies, practice and ethos.

The RRSA recognises that the Federation of Abbey Schools teaches its pupils about children’s rights at all levels – from the classroom through to breakfast and after school clubs; that children’s rights underpin the school’s management approach and that the school promotes rights and respect at all levels across the school between teachers, adults and pupils.

While working towards achieving the RRSA, each class in the school created a rights charter and children have been given a say in many school-related issues, including developing a new school meals provision and the active school council.

Executive head teacher George Ford said: “Being awarded the RRSA is fantastic news. The award recognises the hard work of every member of staff, pupil and helper at the school in ensuring we understand children’s rights – what this actually means and how to ensure this happens.”