MILFORD HAVEN SCHOOL has made history by becoming the first secondary school in Pembrokeshire, and only the seventh in Wales, to receive the prestigious UNICEF Gold Rights Respecting School Award.

This accolade, the highest given by UNICEF in the UK, recognises the school’s exceptional commitment to embedding children’s rights into every aspect of school life, including its ethos, policies, and practices. The Gold Award is reserved for schools that have demonstrated a robust environment where children feel safe, respected, and have a strong sense of belonging.

Milford Haven School has stood out for its dedication to fostering a culture of mutual respect, inclusion, and active pupil participation. Headteacher Ms Morris expressed her pride at the school’s achievement, calling it a “momentous occasion” for both the school and the wider community.

“This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff, pupils, and the community,” said Ms Morris. “It reflects our commitment to creating a learning environment where every pupil feels valued, heard, and empowered. We believe in fostering a culture of respect and responsibility, and this recognition validates our efforts to ensure that children’s rights are central to everything we do.”

The Rights Respecting Schools Award recognises schools that have fully integrated the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into their day-to-day operations. The assessment process evaluates how well schools promote respect for rights, equality, and the active participation of pupils in shaping their educational experience.

Representatives from UNICEF commended Milford Haven School for its efforts, highlighting pupil-led initiatives, collaborative projects, and a sustained commitment to promoting global citizenship and human rights education. The school’s dedication to this cause earned it the coveted Gold status.

Miss Reynolds, Assistant Headteacher and the lead on the Rights Respecting Schools work, praised both pupils and staff for their hard work and dedication.

“This award reflects the whole school community’s commitment to promoting children’s rights and creating a respectful, inclusive environment,” she said. “The recognition underlines our ongoing focus on pupil wellbeing and development as part of the school’s core ethos. We look forward to continuing this fantastic work in the coming months.”

The role of Milford Haven School’s pupils has been crucial in driving the Rights Respecting agenda forward. Pupil voice groups have worked tirelessly to ensure that every student understands their rights and the importance of respect and equality. These groups have led campaigns, organised events, and contributed to decision-making processes within the school, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility.

One pupil, speaking on the importance of being part of a Rights Respecting School, said: “Being a part of a Rights Respecting School means that we have the opportunity to speak our minds, and we know that our voices will be heard and our ideas listened to. That gives us the confidence to bring about change and make a difference.”

Milford Haven School’s achievement in becoming a UNICEF Gold Rights Respecting School not only highlights the school’s dedication to its pupils but also sets a benchmark for other schools in Pembrokeshire and Wales to aspire to.

THE executive head of education at a state-of-the-art specialist school has been recognised for helping children “be themselves” while “creating lasting memories.”

Emma Thomas is at the helm at Orbis Education and Care’s Dan-y-Coed in Swansea, which caters for youngsters with autism and learning disabilities.

The 41-year-old runs a team of creative education, care and therapeutic professionals who help children to feel safe and respected, whilst providing bright and colourful child-friendly environments in which to learn, live and make friends.

It is her dedication over the last seven years that has earned her a place in the final of the major national competition – the 2024 Wales Care Awards, sponsored by Ontex Healthcare.

Emma’s aim is to help children simply be themselves, creating lasting memories of childhood as they develop into independent young people and adults.

The mum-of-two from Penclawdd is shortlisted for the Peter Clarke Award for Promoting Excellence in Services for Children and Young People, sponsored by Morgan LaRoche Solicitors.

The glittering presentation ceremony will be held on Friday, October 18 at the Holland House Hotel in Cardiff and will be hosted by radio and TV presenter Jason Mohammad.

The awards are in association with Care Forum Wales, a not-for-profit organisation set up in 1993 to give independent care providers a single professional voice with which to speak on one of the most important issues of our time – how to provide better quality care for those who need it most.

It was Director of Education, Lucy Pottinger who nominated Emma for the accolade.

She said: “Emma has been working at Dan-y-Coed since it opened in 2017 and this year she has experienced the joy of seeing her very first pupil transition to a mainstream school full-time, which is an incredible achievement and demonstrates her strength and determination to help her pupils.

“Emma and her team devised a support plan to help him pursue his wish to go to mainstream school. Emma developed a strong team of learning support staff, teachers and clinical therapists, including a behaviour specialist, to help him gradually break down behavioural barriers and build trust with staff.

“She helped him understand that they would stick by him through tough times. Small classes with a bespoke curriculum unique to him proved invaluable and were the key to his success.”

Lucy added: “It is very rare for pupils to go from an independent specialist school to a mainstream placement and Emma should be proud of the progress her very first pupil has made.

“The fact she oversaw a team that has helped the young man fulfil his dream of going to a mainstream school deserves recognition.”

Emma said: “Being shortlisted for this award is a privilege. There are so many people across Wales who do outstanding work in our field, and I hope that I can represent them proudly. 

“We all have our own ‘why’ as to reasons we undertake the work that we do, and to be nominated, let alone be a finalist is extremely rewarding. Knowing that I have helped others in a way that has positively influenced their lives, and the lives of others close to them, is a feeling that you can never forget.”

Mario Kreft MBE, Chair of Care Forum Wales, said the aim of the Wales Care Awards is to recognise the unstinting and remarkable dedication of unsung heroes and heroines across Wales like Emma.

He said: “The care sector is full of wonderful people because it’s not just a job it’s a vocation – these are the people who really do have the X Factor.

“If you don’t recognise the people who do the caring you will never provide the standards that people need and never recognise the value of the people who need the care in society.

“We need to do all we can to raise the profile of the care sector workforce – they deserve to be lauded and applauded.

“It is a pleasure to honour the contribution of all the finalists. Each and every one of them should be very proud of their achievement.”

TEACHERS in Flintshire could soon be asked to swear an oath pledging not to form inappropriate relationships with pupils, under a controversial motion set to be considered by the local council.

The proposal, due to be debated by Flintshire County Council in Mold on Tuesday, would require teachers and school staff to make a formal declaration in front of a manager, affirming they will not engage in intimate relationships with students. This comes in the wake of the high-profile case of former headteacher Neil Foden, who was sentenced to 17 years in prison in July after being found guilty of sexually abusing four girls during his tenure in Gwynedd.

The motion, submitted by Councillor Gladys Healey, a member of the Labour Party representing Hope, aims to introduce stronger safeguards to protect children from the risk of abuse by teachers. Healey argues that despite existing safeguarding measures, such as the code of professional conduct established by the Education Workforce Council, incidents of abuse and inappropriate relationships involving educators persist.

“The council acknowledges that even with safeguarding training and a strict professional code, there are still cases where teachers abuse their position,” Councillor Healey stated. “The council deplores such actions, which rob children of their innocence and bring the profession into disrepute.”

If passed, the measure would see all current and future education staff in Flintshire required to take the oath, reinforcing their commitment to the safeguarding of students.

However, the proposal has sparked outrage from teaching unions, who argue that it is unnecessary and an insult to the profession. The National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) expressed its strong opposition, with Neil Butler, the union’s national official for Wales, describing the motion as damaging to the reputation of teachers.

“This motion serves only to bring the teaching profession into disrepute,” Butler said. “Teachers in Wales are already bound by the Education Workforce’s code of practice, which clearly outlines their duty of care for the safety and wellbeing of learners. Those who breach this code face serious disciplinary consequences, including dismissal. Introducing an additional oath shows a shocking contempt for the profession.”

The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) has taken a more measured stance, expressing a willingness to engage in discussions about the proposal. Claire Armitstead, ASCL Cymru’s director, stated: “We share the horror felt at the case that has prompted this motion. We are open to considering any proposal aimed at improving safeguarding measures for young people, and we welcome further discussions with Councillor Healey on this matter.”

A child practice review is currently underway, led by the North Wales Safeguarding Board, following Foden’s conviction. Cyngor Gwynedd, the local authority where the offences took place, has pledged full cooperation with the review, which is seen as a crucial step in strengthening protections for vulnerable children in North Wales.

Responding as Flintshire County Council debates a motion calling for teachers and school staff to be asked to pledge in front of a manager not to form intimate relationships with students, Laura Doel, national secretary at NAHT Cymru, said:

“Everyone in the teaching profession was appalled by the abhorrent abuse perpetrated in Gwynedd, and our thoughts are with the victims.

“There are already strict safeguarding procedures in place to protect children and ensuring they are adhered to by all is the most appropriate and effective way to deal with any concerns, not to mention perpetrators facing criminal prosecution. We need meaningful action that strengthens safeguarding, not symbolic gestures that do not keep children safe.

“I am deeply disturbed to hear that a proposal to consider asking teachers to take an oath is being considered, let alone discussed. This sends the wrong message to the public and not only does it bring the whole profession into disrepute, it is an insult to the thousands of dedicated teachers and leaders who go above and beyond for their learners, their schools and the communities they serve.

“To enforce something like this insinuates all teachers and leaders cannot be trusted, and our learners are not safe in their care. That is simply not true and grossly unfair to the profession.

“Asking them to swear an oath promising not to abuse children will achieve nothing and risks undermining the trust between teachers, school leaders, and families.”