St Paul’s CE Primary school in Withington has been awarded Gold by UNICEF UK’s Rights Respecting School programme. The school has been participating in UNICEF UK’s Outright Campaign, which focuses on children’s rights to the best possible health.

UNICEF is the world’s leading organisation working for children and their rights. The Rights Respecting Schools Award is granted 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 accolade given by UNICEF UK and shows a deep and thorough commitment to children’s rights at all levels of school life.

Children at the school were passionate about improving mental well-being and made that their focus for winning the award. Jeff Smith MP recently visited St Paul’s CE Primary School to see their mental health jigsaw. Previously, pupils sent Jeff work detailing their thoughts and ideas on how to improve mental well-being, and Jeff went down to the school to watch their presentation.

Jeff Smith said: “I am delighted that St Paul’s has been accredited and that the hard work of students and teachers has paid off. I was pleased to meet with St Paul’s pupils recently to see their and was really touched by the work they have done.’

‘It’s great to see the children so passionate about mental health and about looking out for each other. Understanding how to look after your own mental wellbeing at a young age is a skill for life that will help kids as they’re growing up.’

‘With mental health issues increasing across the UK, it’s important to get children thinking about these issues and to have children’s voices heard.’ 

‘Congratulations to everyone at St Paul’s – and I hope I’ll be invited back to see more of their work soon’.