AN Inverclyde school has struck gold after achieving the highest award in a globally recognised respect programme.

The Unicef Rights Respecting Schools Awards' top accolade has been won by Wemyss Bay Primary as it strives to spread a caring message around the world.

Pupils and staff have forged close ties with a school in northern India as part of their efforts to have the rights of every child recognised and respected.

Primary six pupil Erin Sim — who has been part of the years-long journey towards the gold standard — said: "We are very proud and we'll just try to keep it up and make our school the best it can be."

As part of the celebration, the pupils — right through from nursery level — have made board games and rights respecting books which will be gifted to the Kukar Pind Public School nearly 5,000 miles away.

Erin said: "We want to have the rights of every child in the world respected, and we have plans for future events as well."

Wemyss Bay teacher Anna Kaur, who hails from India, established the link with the Kukar Pind school and she intends to further strengthen the ties by arranging a visit there at Easter.

The Rights Respecting Award puts children's rights at the heart of schools, with the programme using the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child [UNCRC] as its guide.

The gold status course aims to deepen understanding of rights, values and global citizenship.

Wemyss Bay Primary teacher Julie Carswell said: "Erin was so interested in the journey we have taken and she has been here since it started.

"We achieved silver status three years ago, so it's a big jump to achieve gold.

"We are all very happy and proud, but the work continues."