Manor Park pupils have started on their journey towards becoming a ‘rights respecting school’ through an initiative run by children’s organisation UNICEF UK.

Children and staff at Dersingham Primary School, in Dersingham Avenue, gathered in the playground on Thursday at a launch event for the scheme.

The project sees UNICEF’s UK branch handing out awards to schools putting children’s rights at the heart of the curriculum.

Pupils spent the day writing poetry, stories and reports themed around issues facing youngsters around the world, before the school choir performed a song calling for kids to uphold their rights.

Headteacher Lando Du Plooy said the award would help pupils “grow into confident, caring and responsible young citizens both in school and the wider community.”

He added: “By learning about their rights our pupils will also learn about the importance of respecting the rights of others.”