Global students strike gold
STAFF and students at a Macclesfield school have been rewarded by UNICEF for thinking both globally and locally.
The international charity has given the gold award to Dean Valley Primary, Bollington, for its work on the Convention of Rights of the Child.
Proud headteacher Vicky McPherson says the school is the first in Cheshire East to achieve this.
The award is given for a commitment to promoting children’s rights and encouraging people to respect the rights of others.
Over the last three years this is what the school, on Albert Road, has achieved by working to raise awareness and funds for worthwhile causes.
Pupils have sent money to build a toilet block for families in Malawi and blankets for children in Syria.
They have also held charity raffles.
They have written to Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for the Environment, asking for action to tackle pollution levels.
Youngsters have also practised what they preach with walk to school days and held an art exhibition at Bollington Arts Centre themed on the Convention of the Rights of a Child.
Mrs McPherson said: “The rights respecting approach has helped to develop a school ethos whereby children participate more actively in decisions around them.
“They have more access to information on how to feel safe and have their talents encouraged and developed to the full, while recognising and respecting the rights of others.
“The children are extremely proud having been given the Gold award by UNICEF for their work, Dean Valley is in fact the first school in Cheshire East to achieve this.”