PROUD pupils at St Mary’s Primary in Largs have struck gold in UNICEF’s Rights Respecting Schools programme.

The school has been awarded the top honour by the world-leading organisation for their work championing youngsters' responsibilities and roles for the last five years.

The Rights Respecting Schools Award is granted to schools that show commitment to the rights of young people, as well encouraging them to show the same respect to others.

St Mary’s is one of only 600 schools to make UNICEF's illustrious list.

Teacher Rebecca Campbell says that a lot of work has gone into winning the award.

She explained: “In order to achieve gold standard, our pupils had to learn about their rights and explore how they impact their lives.

“The children learned that rights are universal, inherent, inalienable, unconditional and indivisible. That they cannot be taken away, bought or sold, and are all equally important.

“We put this into practice through a climate change programme and a visit to COP26.

“The kids then completed activities such as creating eco bricks with their waste, writing letters to local and national politicians and making posters to raise awareness.

“Every pupil made a climate promise and our p5 to p7 pupils linked live with our partner school in China to sharing their learning.”

Rebecca says the award is a huge achievement for the school after five years of hard work.

She said: “We have put so much in as a team, with pupils, families and staff building towards this.

“For the children to see the impact their voice can have is brilliant.

“Becoming a rights respecting school and working towards gold has given our pupils a wider perspective on the world around them, as well as more belief that they can affect change.”

St. Mary’s has been working with UNICEF UK since 2017 and the school received its bronze award in 2018 and its silver award the following year.

Mary Hume, the school’s headteacher, says the award is even more impressive after the problems caused by the pandemic.

She said: “We are extremely proud and worked hard to keep the momentum up with this project despite the challenging circumstances presented by the pandemic.

“Our school has a wonderful, inclusive ethos where positive relationships and every child’s skills and talents are nurtured and celebrated.

“I would like to say a huge thank you to all pupils, families and staff, past and present, who have supported us on this journey."