AN East Renfrewshire school has been presented with a prestigious award.

Pupils and staff at Giffnock Primary have worked to embed teaching and learning about children’s rights into the curriculum, with a range of initiatives to ensure children are at the heart of efforts to shape school life and make a positive impact in the community.

In recognition of this, the school has been awarded the gold standard in UNICEF UK’s Rights Respecting Schools programme.

The award is only granted to schools that show commitment to promoting and realising children’s rights and encouraging people of all ages to respect the rights of others.

Rob Lawson, headteacher at Giffnock Primary, said: “We are delighted and proud to have achieved gold accreditation.

“Through our school values, we aim to build a sense of school community where individual rights, respect, equality and inclusivity are prioritised.

“We are fully committed to equipping our pupils to make a positive contribution whilst learning about sustainability and global issues, allowing them to think critically about the changing world around them.

“Our focus for outdoor learning enhances the pupils’ ability to develop positive risk-taking, work collaboratively and solve problems. It also develops their ability to become divergent thinkers.

“All pupils, staff, parents and our wider community are so proud to have been part of this journey and we will continue to ensure diversity and equality for all.”

Frances Bestley, director of the UNICEF UK Rights Respecting Schools programme, added: “Giffnock Primary very much impressed us with how pupils and staff have fully embraced the rights-respecting ethos.

“The school has fully embraced the Convention on the Rights of the Child and we are honoured to give this accreditation.”