Gigha Primary School and ELC is set to receive the Gold Award from UNICEF UK’s Rights Respecting Schools programme. The school is the latest in Argyll and Bute to achieve this accreditation, with all schools now holding a gold, silver, or bronze award with 100% of schools now accredited by UNICEF.
The Rights Respecting Schools Award recognises achievement in placing children’s rights at the heart of a school’s planning, policies, and practice. It aims to create communities where rights are learned, understood, and actively promoted. Over 5,000 UK education settings are involved in the programme with many reporting positive impacts on behaviour, relationships, wellbeing, and learning.
Gigha Primary School and ELC has been participating in the programme since 2022, achieving silver in December 2024. The school will receive its gold certificate later this term and plans to celebrate with an afternoon tea for the community.
Councillor Kieron Green, Policy Lead for Education, Argyll and Bute Council:
“Well done to everyone at Gigha Primary and ELC for being awarded gold. This fantastic achievement reflects a great deal of hard work across the whole school community.
We want to ensure positive outcomes for children and young people in Argyll and Bute. The Rights Respecting Schools programme contributes to that by helping create supportive and inspiring places to learn. The award reflects what both staff and pupils do every day to promote a rights-based culture and to help young people realise their potential.”
Alexandra Vipurs, Headteacher of Gigha Primary School and ELC, said: “I am incredibly proud of our school and ELC, and feel privileged that we are receiving the gold award from UNICEF UK.
Over the last three and a half years, the whole school community have worked together to ensure that children’s rights are central to all decisions made at Gigha Primary School and ELC. Our ongoing work around equity has ensured that despite our rural, island location, our children do not experience reduced opportunities.
Ensuring children’s rights are embedded within our curriculum has also developed children’s confidence in advocating not only for themselves, but also for other children in the world who do not experience equal opportunities. By supporting our children to realise their potential as global citizens, we hope they will lead the next generation of change towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
I would like to thank all the pupils, staff, parents, and wider community who have supported our unique island school and ELC on this amazing journey.”
Gold is the highest level of the award and reflects sustained commitment to embedding children’s rights across school life. More than six hundred schools across the UK currently hold gold status.
