UNICEF Gold Award

9th July 2023

St Stephens Community Academy has met the standard for UNICEF UK's Rights Respecting Schools Award at GOLD: Rights Respecting.
We are absolutely delighted to inform you that we have received confirmation that we have been awarded the GOLD Award from UNICEF. This is the highest accolade given by UNICEF UK and as a school community we are so immensely proud of this achievement.
Our outcome was based on a face to face accreditation visit. The assessor wanted to thank the children , the Senior Leadership Team, Mrs. Hobbs our UNICEF Lead and staff for their warm welcome to the school, for the opportunity to speak with adults and children during the assessment and for the detailed evidence provided to support the process. Prior to the visit the school completed a comprehensive School Evaluation and a good collection of digital evidence.
The assessor said it was evident that children's rights are embedded across the school and underpin every facet of school life.
Strengths of the school include:
A passionate commitment from senior leaders to embed a rights-based approach, putting it at the core of the school's vision and practice.
Pupil voice which is highly valued. Listening to children is embedded in school practice. Children know their opinions are listened to and taken seriously. This was particularly evident in the way children engaged with, and empowered, to be actively involved in their learning journey.
A caring and inclusive ethos. All children are valued and supported to be the best they can be. Children's social and emotional needs are a priority.
A curriculum that is relevant, evolving and responding to current issues, encouraging children to be advocates for rights.
Our school certificate and banner will be arriving in the Autumn Term when we shall have a 'GOLD' day to recognise and reflect on this fabulous achievement at St Stephens Community Academy.