INVERCLYDE has become only the second place in the UK to have all of its schools signed up by Unicef for a children's rights scheme.

All 27 of the district's schools are now Rights Respecting Schools.

Only one other place in the country has RRS status for every school.

The list was completed when Clydeview Academy recently received its award.

The scheme recognises schools which put the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child into day-to-day practice.

All of Inverclyde Council’s units for looked after children are also involved in the scheme and local private nurseries are also working towards RRS status.

The milestone was marked jointly with a ceremony to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Councillor Jim Clocherty, convener of Inverclyde Council’s education committee, said: “The UNCRC describes what every child needs to survive, grow and thrive.

"It describes what they need to live with dignity and achieve their potential.

“Inverclyde Council is fully committed to the UNCRC and we are very proud that all of our schools are Rights Respecting.

“One practical example of this commitment is ensuring young people have a say on the decisions which have a direct impact on their lives.”

Recently more than 200 children were involved in drafting Inverclyde Health and Social Care Partnership’s five year strategic plan and they also played a key role in designing the council’s anti-bullying and bereavement, change and loss policies.

Frances Bestley, programme director for Unicef UK Rights Respecting Schools, said: “We’re very pleased to be working so closely with schools across Inverclyde to embed the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in their ethos and culture, making a difference both inside and outside the school.

“Every school in Inverclyde is now a Rights Respecting School and we are very impressed by their excellent progress and the difference they are making for children.”