An international children's organisation has recognised a village primary school for its work on the right of children.

And it is the pupils of West Pennard Primary School themselves who have led the way.

Last week the school was presented with Level 1 of Unicef's Rights Respecting School Award.

Helen Morley, deputy head teacher, said the award recognises that all members of the school community have an understanding of the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child and that these rights are embedded in the ethos and culture of the school.

"What makes this achievement even more impressive is the way the staff and community have empowered the children to lead this process," she said.

Unicef UK's Rights Respecting School Award is a scheme to help schools place pupils' development as rights respecting citizens at the heart of their ethos and curriculum.

Through this scheme which started with a small pilot in 2004, more than 2,700 primary, secondary and special schools in the UK are now embedding a rights respecting culture.

Those achieving the award report that the scheme has had a positive impact on relationships and well-being by enhancing pupils' self-esteem.

This leads to less truancy and bullying and a better learning environment.

To celebrate this achievement, the Year 4 children led a special assembly to remind the whole school community of children's rights and implied responsibilities.

The assembly included a hymn and prayer made up by the children, a Who Wants To Be A Millionaire style quiz, some role play and the presentation of the award by Edward Waller, who is education officer for Unicef UK.

The assembly also embraced this year's Day for Change theme of sport and health.

It was followed with the school holding its own sports personality mufti day, a teachers' race, a slightly longer play time and a sharing assembly in aid of Unicef and specific projects in Uganda.

The deputy head said: "We are very proud of what we have achieved over the past 18 months and are looking forward to embarking on the next stage of the award in the new academic year."

Other local schools have learned of the positive impact of being a Rights Respecting Community.

After the presentation, Edward Waller went on to meet with other schools from the Street and Glastonbury Community Learning Partnership who have begun the journey towards becoming a Rights Respecting School.