Unicef UK award for Tanbridge House School

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.

The Level 2 Award 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. There are over 200 schools across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales that have received the Level 2 Award.

Headteacher of Tanbridge House School, Jules White, said: “Tanbridge House is extremely proud to have been awarded the Level 2 Rights Respecting Schools Award. The award encompasses the school ethos and is what we live and breathe here at THS. We put the rights of our students first in all aspects of school life and educational provision and this leads to a wonderful atmosphere and culture in our school. We are delighted that this has been formally recognised by Unicef UK.”

The Award recognises achievement in putting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child at the heart of a school’s planning, policies and practice. A Rights Respecting School is a community where children’s rights are learned, taught, practised, respected, protected and promoted.

Unicef UK Rights Respecting Schools Programme Director, Frances Bestley, said: “We are very pleased to be awarding a Level 2 Unicef UK Rights Respecting Schools Award to Tanbridge House School. It is clear that everyone at the school – staff, students, governors and parents - is deeply committed to fully embedding children’s rights in the school’s ethos and culture. We were very impressed by an exceptional and inspiring community, working together to ensure that all are valued and respected, and empowered to effect change for the better. Everyone at Tanbridge House School should be proud of how they have truly put the Convention at the heart of their school.”

The Unicef UK Rights Respecting Schools initiative now involves over 3,300 primary and secondary schools in the UK who have reported a positive impact on pupil behaviour, relationships and well-being by enhancing pupil’s self-esteem, leading to less truancy and bullying, better learning and improved academic standards.

Report contributed by Tanbridge House School.