Meath School in Surrey receives prestigious UNICEF UK Gold Award for putting children’s rights at the heart of school life

Located in Ottershaw, Surrey, the school - which also offers residential services - helps children aged 4 to 11 with complex speech and language challenges to build the foundations they need to thrive.

Gold is the highest recognition granted by UNICEF UK and reflects the school’s dedication to ensuring that the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is fully embedded across its planning, policies, and practices. Meath was awarded a Silver accreditation last year and the transition to Gold reflects the school’s continuous efforts to integrate children’s rights into every aspect of its life.

Of over 32,000 schools in the UK, fewer than 700 have received Gold status, and Meath School is proud to be the fourth in Surrey to have received this prestigious accolade. UNICEF officials praised the school’s staff at all levels for being passionate advocates for ensuring children have access to their rights. They also noted that children’s voices are listened to and taken seriously — which is especially important for those with speech and language challenges.

To achieve this award and create positive change for other children, the Meath students organised a significant number of projects and campaigns. These included a toy collection with items donated to the children's ward at St. Peter’s Hospital, as well as a community project to knit hats for St. Peter’s Hospital NICU.

They also researched the issue of local food poverty and completed meal planning on a low budget. They visited a food bank, which led to them writing to Runnymede and Weybridge MP, Dr Ben Spencer, who came into school to talk to them about food poverty.

Majella Delaney, Principal of Meath School, said: “Every child deserves an environment where they feel understood and where their rights are respected. Receiving the Gold Rights Respecting Schools Award is a significant achievement for Meath. It is a testament to the hard work of our dedicated staff, pupils, and families in creating a school where children's rights are not only respected, but are central to everything we do.

"For our students, many of whom already face significant barriers, this award provides them with an additional layer of protection – to safeguard themselves and their voices. It empowers them to know they have the right to speak up, to be heard, and to advocate for themselves and others.”

Jane Harris, Chief Executive of Speech and Language UK, said: “There are 1.9 million children in the UK with speech and language challenges – a record high. We are incredibly proud of Meath School for their dedication to ensuring the children they teach aren’t limited by their environment and instead are given every opportunity to thrive.

"This recognition is far more than an accolade for these children who so often go unheard. It’s an affirmation of their right to speak, be heard and have their voices respected.”

Martin Russell, programme Director at UNICEF UK Rights Respecting Schools, said: “Children at Meath School Surrey understand and are strongly committed to children’s rights. They are listened to, participate fully in school life and have a strong understanding of the wider world. It is clear that the school’s Rights Respecting work has created positive and empowering learning environment for all and we are very pleased to award them Gold: Rights Respecting.”

To mark its outstanding achievement, the school will celebrate with students, staff and parents by hosting a Golden Garden Party complete with a golden cake and a dress-up theme on March 28.

A Rights Respecting School is a community where children’s rights are learned, taught, practised, respected, protected and promoted.