The High School of Dundee has been reaccredited with UNICEF’s Rights Respecting Schools (RRS) gold status.
The Junior Years has become the first primary school in Dundee to have successfully come through a rigorous assessment process which is required to retain gold after three years.
The RRS Award is granted by UNICEF to schools that show commitment to promoting and realising children’s rights and encouraging adults, children and young people to respect the rights of others in school.
Gold is the highest level of award, demonstrating that a school has fully embedded the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into its ethos and curriculum.
To obtain gold status, schools must evidence that the RRSA has had a positive impact on children’s learning and wellbeing and that pupils are advocates for social justice, fairness and children’s rights at home and abroad.
Elaine Stevenson, who leads the Junior Years RRS programme, said, “Achieving the Gold Rights Respecting Schools reaccreditation is a significant accomplishment for our Junior School. It reflects a deep, whole-school commitment to the UN Convention on the UNCRC and shows that children’s rights are at the very heart of everything the school does.
“The award shows that our school respects not only pupils but also staff, parents and the wider community by upholding a culture or equality, respect and understanding. It’s not just about ticking boxes – it’s about creating a culture where children flourish and grow into active, caring citizens.”
In May 2022 the Junior Years became the first primary school in Dundee to achieve gold status and is currently one of only four in the city to hold the award.
