Oasis Academy Aspinal strikes silver with award from Unicef UK

A Manchester primary school with a rich cultural history and modern dynamic curriculum designed to help children achieve their very best has received a prestigious Rights Respecting Schools Award from Unicef UK.

Oasis Academy Aspinal has received the honour for demonstrating a commitment to promoting and realising children’s rights, as well as encouraging adults, children and young people to respect the rights of others.

The Silver Award is the second highest accolade given by Unicef UK, which 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.

Susan Hardy, Teacher at Oasis Academy Aspinal, commented saying; “Our assessor was very impressed with the maturity of the pupils that he interviewed, and the depth of understanding they showed when answering his questions.”

“Children were able to talk about equality and diversity in their own community and the global community, and they acknowledged that sadly, not all people in the world are treated fairly. They had lots of ideas about how to make the world a better place for those whose rights are not being met, and they recognise their role as changemakers of the future.”

Oasis Academy Aspinal isn’t stopping there, they are already on track to achieve the highest accolade from Unicef, the gold award.

Frances Bestley, UK National Programme Director for Rights Respecting Schools, said; “Children at Oasis Academy Aspinal have shown a really good grasp of the Convention. It is great to see how much the Convention underpins the school’s work and values, in turn creating a rights-respecting environment, both in the classroom and playground.”

“We are very pleased to be awarding Silver Rights Award to Oasis Academy Aspinal.”

The Unicef UK Rights Respecting Schools initiative is aimed at schools across the UK, including those in an early years setting. The programme has also received additional support from The People’s Postcode Lottery.