By Sarah Dale
28 January 2026
A primary school in Seaham committed to ensuring every one of its “articulate, passionate and confident” pupils have a deep understanding of their rights and the rights of others has been awarded a special accolade.
St Cuthbert’s Catholic Primary School, which is part of Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust, has been awarded the UNICEF Gold Rights Respecting Status – for the second time.
UNICEF is the world’s leading organisation working for children and their rights. The Rights Respecting Schools Award is granted to schools that show commitment to promoting and realising children’s rights and encouraging adults, children and young people to respect the rights of others in school. Gold is the highest accolade given by UNICEF UK and shows a deep and thorough commitment to children’s rights at all levels of school life.
The Award 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. A Rights Respecting School is a community where children’s rights are learned, taught, practised, respected, protected and promoted.
Headteacher Nicola Noble said: “We are delighted to achieve the Gold Rights Respecting Award for the second time.
“Our pupils are articulate, passionate and confident in their understanding of children’s rights, recognising both how rights should be protected and how they can be denied. Rights Respecting is embedded across our curriculum, with pupils seeing rights in action everywhere in our school.
“This success reflects the commitment of all staff, who ensure every child feels listened to, valued and at the centre of school life. We are so proud of our pupils who are compassionate, informed young people who use their knowledge of rights to make a positive difference.”
Year 4 pupil Seve said: “I like learning about our rights. Knowing I have the right to an education, the right to be listened to and the right to play is important to me.”
Lleyton, in Year 6, said: “As well as learning about rights in school, we get to campaign and live them out, sharing what we know with others and raising awareness about local and global issues where we can.”
Jacob, also in Year 6, said: “I am proud that we are still a Gold Rights Respecting School because it shows at St Cuthbert’s we treat others fairly, we are listened to and you are never alone or left out at our school.”
Mrs Noble added: “Being a Rights Respecting School and working towards the Live Simply Award are an important part of our culture at St Cuthbert’s where we encourage all our pupils to develop their unique talents and qualities and understand how they can use these positively in the world around them.
“Our pupils behave thoughtfully and respectfully to one another and the world around them and this award further validates the excellent outcomes recognised in our Ofsted and Catholic Schools Inspections.”
For more information about St Cuthbert’s on Mill Road, visit www.stcuthbertsprimary.com
For more information about BCCET, visit www.bccet.org.uk
You may also be interested in.
Female Founders come together to demand what they need for success in business
Trademarked brand Female Founder UK hosts first ‘Founder Live’ event at Teesside University. Female founders from across Teesside were joined by captains of industry, education providers, finance experts and health…
By Sarah Walker
11 June 2026
Hidden WWII air raid shelter uncovered during nursery building works
While carrying out groundworks, builders revealed a hidden WW2 air raid shelter, preserved beneath the foundations for more than 80 years. The discovery at St Godric’s Catholic Primary School, which…
By Sarah Dale
11 June 2026
New North-East folk opera officially launches with special guest Alan the humanoid robot
No More Sleeping is a groundbreaking new musical aiming to awaken the spirit of the North East. The bold and visionary new folk opera is set to premiere in September 2026,…
By Sarah Dale
9 June 2026
We believe all businesses have a story to tell.
Let us help you tell yours!