A HOLYWELL school is aiming to develop pupil's talents and abilities.

The primary school is working towards becoming a Unicef UK Rights Respecting School (RRSA) and has successfully completed the first stage of the process, Rights Committed. They have received a Bronze Award.

Staff and pupils at Ysgol Maes Y Felin have been working towards the award for around six months and are delighted to receive the reward in recognition of the work that has already been done to embed children’s rights into everyday practice.

Unicef is the world’s leading organisation working for children and young people and their rights. These rights are based on what a child needs to survive, grow, participate and fulfil their potential.

The Bronze Award means that the school has introduced the RRSA Three Strands into the school community: Teaching and learning about rights, Teaching and learning through rights – ethos and relationships and Teaching and learning for rights – participation, empowerment and action.

Mrs Tamsin Nellist, teacher, said: "Ysgol Maes y Felin aims to be a school where children’s rights are at the heart of our ethos and culture, to improve well-being and to develop every child’s talents and abilities to their full potential. As part of this plan we are working towards recognition as a ‘Rights Respecting School’."

It also ensures that the senior leadership team (SLT) understands what is involved in the Award and is committed to embarking on the Unicef UK rights respecting journey and that the right foundations are in place for the school’s journey to the second stage of the Award, which is Silver: Rights Aware.

The school has an elected rights respecting committee made up of pupils from all year groups who are working with staff to implement the award.

Teachers Rhiannon Evans and Tamsin Nellist are the ambassadors for the rights respecting committee and support the children to lead the UN convention on rights of the child through school.

Mrs Nellist added: "Our pupils will learn about their rights by putting them into practice every day. A Rights Respecting School models rights and respect in all its relationships.

"We really hope that parents and carers will support our school on our journey towards becoming a Unicef UK Rights Respecting School."

A Rights Respecting School incorporates four main areas; wellbeing, participation, relationships and self-esteem. The aim is to extend the benefit beyond school and make a positive impact on the whole community.

Children’s wellbeing is developed through the promotion of values such as respect, dignity and non-discrimination, and therefore they are less likely to suffer from stress. By educating a child about their rights, they can understand how they and others should be treated and this helps to increase their own self-esteem.

In becoming a Rights Respecting School, children acquire the vocabulary to express themselves and to challenge the way they are treated. They are also able to challenge injustices for other children and know how to access information that enables them to make informed decisions about their learning, health and wellbeing.