South Yorkshire: Schools celebrate achievements at New York Stadium

The Rotherham Charter celebrates partnership with parents, carers, children and young people, adults and families.

Harthill Primary School, Thurcroft Infant School and Wales Primary School each received a certificate at the special celebration event.

Children from Anston Greenlands School Choir also provided entertainment.

Harthill Primary School teaching assistant Maralyn Reaney said: “The whole event was so special for everyone involved and it certainly reflected the value and importance we all put on gaining Charter Gold. Our children and parents were proud and enjoyed being part of the celebration day.”

To be accredited with Charter Gold the school needs to demonstrate they have extended their practice and that they genuinely fulfil the Charter principles.

The two-year process includes gathering feedback from children and parents and having an action plan. The school needs to show that it reaches out in creative ways to genuinely involve all children and families and that their feedback is used to inform policies and practice.

Rotherham Borough Council’s Strategic Director of Children and Young Peoples Services, Joyce Thacker, said: “This reaffirmed why the Rotherham Charter really matters to children and their families.”

“Charter principles were developed out of research interviews with children with additional needs in Rotherham, and their parents, later to extend to all parents and children in Rotherham.”

“Research showed that whilst there is much good practice in Rotherham schools and services, they can do even better. It is relatively small changes that can make big differences to the wellbeing and outcomes of children and families.”