Pupils at a High Wycombe school were labelled as ‘vibrant, confident and self-assured’ during an inspection by award assessors from the children’s charity Unicef.

Two assessors from United Nations charity Unicef’s Rights Respecting Schools Award (RRSA) visited Highcrest Academy in High Wycombe at the end of last term and spoke with governors, parents, teaching and support staff.

They scrutinised documentation, spoke to more than 90 pupils, completed two separate learning walks and challenged students to answer a series of tough questions during an action-packed day.

The aim was to ensure children’s rights were being upheld across the whole community – and Highcrest staff said they were delighted with the outcome after the glowing inspection report and the prize of a Level 1 award on the scheme.

Vice Principal Emma Bowden said: “It is testament to the work of our whole community that we have achieved this award. It has made the months of hard work worth it as everyone can see the benefits of their efforts.

“Assessors said that students are vibrant, confident and self-assured; and that it was fantastic to see the pupils taking responsibility for their community and ownership of it.”

Jo Solman, the teacher who has led the project with colleagues Jeremie Tomlin and Mrs Bowden, said: “This is a true triumph of the culmination of our whole school community and its commitment to the rights of all children around the world.

"It has been an honour to witness the progress made and to go into the next phase of this journey with such positivity.”

The RRSA is a UK-wide initiative for all children and all those working with or for children in formal education. It is based on principles of equality, dignity, respect, non-discrimination and participation.

The RRSA seeks to put the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child at the heart of a school’s ethos and culture to improve well-being and develop every child’s talents and abilities to their full potential.

The award follows a ceremony held at Highcrest last November to mark the 25th birthday of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

Students were joined at that event by every member of staff, both teaching and non-teaching, and the Chair of Governors.

To mark the occasion, students reviewed the 54 articles of the UNCRC and chose which articles meant the most to them.

Those chosen adorned trees with their own articles within the school to spread the student voice.

Students and the chair of governors also released 25 Highcrest and Unicef coloured balloons, with articles attached, to spread the message to the public.