Children's Commissioner for Scotland visits GWC

On Thursday 9 September Bruce Adamson, the Children and Young People’s Commissioner in Scotland visited GWC. 

Our school has been accredited by Unicef as a Gold Rights Respecting School, and the Commissioner was interested in the work that has taken place to achieve and maintain this accreditation. 

Having Gold Rights Respecting status demonstrates that our school has made a commitment to upholding the rights of children and educating our own pupils on their rights and responsibilities, and that of other children around the globe. 

His first engagement of the day was a tour of our campus, led by School Captains Cara and Emmanuel. Mr Adamson then spoke with our pupil Project 810 Ambassadors, Lina and Farhan (both S5) about their ambitions to embed anti-racism throughout the whole school, working with Junior and Senior pupils to educate people on understanding the experiences of people of colour.

Junior School pupils then had the opportunity to meet the Commissioner, where they took part in discussions and activities about the rights of children based on their learning about the different articles in the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

Mr Adamson also spoke with members of our Senior School Pupil Council, Pupil Eco Group, and the school's LGBT+ Discuss group.

Principal, Melvyn Roffe, said:  This is the second visit that Mr Adamson has paid to our school, the first as part of Global Education Week in 2019. 

“We were delighted to be able to show how we have adapted our approach as a Rights Respecting School to the challenges of the pandemic but also how our pupils are involved in planning for a better future.”

Bruce Adamson said: “It was a huge privilege to meet children, young people, and staff from across Watson’s. The last 18 months has emphasised the important role that schools play in fulfilling the right to education by developing children to their fullest potential. 

“What was clear speaking to children and young people at GWC is that your community is about much more than education. It was fantastic to have the chance to spend time with some of the youngest children and observe the leadership of the School Captains, school council, and young people championing human rights within the school.

“As we move through and out of this pandemic, it is important that we celebrate the great achievements that children and young people have continued to make, supported by their families, and the amazing staff across the school community.”