Children and staff at Walker Primary School in Southgate are celebrating after receiving the coveted Gold Award from UNICEF for their commitment to promoting children’s rights.
Walker is only the third school in Enfield to achieve the Gold Rights Respecting Schools Award (RRSA). Gold is the highest accolade given and shows a deep and thorough commitment to children’s rights at all levels of school life. The school was praised for its nurturing environment, where pupils’ voices are valued, relationships are positive and children are supported, confident and empowered to drive change.
Yeliz Adem, Reception teacher and Rights Respecting Schools Lead, says: “We are so proud to have received this award, which is testament to the hard work of the whole school community. From integrating the RRSA into all areas of the curriculum, to using the right language, to seeing these values in action every day, our staff and pupils have embraced the importance of putting children’s rights at the heart of our school.”
Yeliz adds: “Being a rights respecting school has had such a positive impact. It has improved behaviour, made children more resilient and aware of the importance of treating everyone equally, and encouraged them to consider the wider environment.”
Walker has 24 UNICEF Ambassadors, aged 5-11, who host assemblies and talk with classmates about what it means to be respectful and how to work together to achieve global goals. They also represent the school in the local community, for example by visiting care homes and attending Remembrance Day services.
The school is twinned with Sepe Tinpom Primary School in Ghana and regularly donates items such as books, stationery and clothes to support the children with their education.
RRSA Programme Director Martin Russell says: “There is a strong commitment to children’s rights at Walker Primary School. Children know about their rights and are empowered to make changes both within their school and the wider community.”
