Ferryhill School wins School of the Year at NSPCC Childhood Champion Awards
07 June 2018
Ferryhill Primary School in Aberdeen City have been awarded the School of the Year at the NSPCC Childhood Champion Awards.
The awards, which launched in 2016 and runs every two years recognises the valuable contribution of the NSPCC’s outstanding volunteers and celebrates those who go the extra mile.
Pupils from the school attended the ceremony at Banking Hall, London and received a certificate signed by HRH The Countess of Wessex, the NSPCC’s patron.
The event also featured presentations by Peter Wanless, CEO of the NSPCC; Dame Esther Rantzen, Founder of Childline and Trustee; and Mark Wood, Chairman of the NSPCC.
The school was awarded for their enormous commitment and support to the NSPCC by raising an amazing £3,831 for the charity’s Speak Out Stay Safe Service by holding a sponsored running event at a local park.
Councillor John Wheeler, Education Operational Delivery Convener, said, "What a fantastic accomplishment by all at Ferryhill School in achieving shared UK wide recognition as Childhood Champions.
“Only the other month we were celebrating Ferryhill becoming the first school in the UK to receive a Gold Award under the new and assessment and rating system for Unicef UK’s Rights Respecting programme. Our warmest congratulations go to David Wallis, the pupils, staff and everyone associated with Ferryhill School.”
Mr David Wallis, head teacher at Ferryhill Primary School said: “The whole experience has been fantastic for the staff and pupils at the school. We had no idea we had been nominated – it was completely out of the blue.
“To win this award is testament to the hard work and determination of the staff and the pupils. It’s a wonderful achievement – we are all delighted. It means a lot that this support has been recognised.
NSPCC Scotland Schools Service Manager Alan Stewart said: “Ferryhill Primary School was successful in achieving this award because of our positive experience of working with staff, pupils and parents who have shown enormous commitment and support to the NSPCC.
“Not only did they raise an amazing £3,831 for our Schools Service in a single event, they have embraced and shared our safeguarding messages and shown their support in a number of ways.
“As well as welcoming our ‘Speak Out Stay Safe’ service, which teaches children what abuse is and helps them identify a trusted adult they can turn to for help, the school also hosted one of our O2 workshops on online safety and then held a sponsored event.
“Ferryhill School community are showing they are putting children first and have given their full support to the NSPCC and our values.”
There were 12 award categories which honoured the commitment, creativity and contribution of NSPCC volunteers:
Outstanding Achievement of the Year Outstanding Young Volunteer of the Year Schools Volunteer of the Year Childline Volunteer of the Year Children’s Services Volunteer of the Year Employee Volunteer of the Year Event Volunteer of the Year Community Volunteer of the Year School of the Year Branch of the Year Corporate Partner of the Year Volunteer Leader of the yearLiane Smith, Head of Volunteering at the NSPCC explained: “We have around 11,000 volunteers across the NSPCC – incredible people who are committed to sharing their passion, skills and time.
“Without all of our amazing volunteers we simply wouldn’t be able to achieve what we do for children and we’re thankful for what each and every single one of them is able to give.”
There are many ways to support the work of the NSPCC – for example by volunteering to help teach children about the signs of abuse through the Speak Out Stay Safe service, volunteering for Childline or taking part in an NSPCC event.
To find out more about what you can do, visit www.nspcc.org.uk/what-you-can-do
Photograph shows: Left to Right Deputy Head Teacher Jeanette Macpherson with pupil Hannah Wheeler, Dame Esther Rantzen and pupil Isabella Hendry.