YOUNG people at a Horwich high school are developing the skills to put right the world's wrongs.

St Joseph's RC High School pupils have set up a United Nations Association in Bolton and become part of the UNESCO Associated Schools Network.

It is first school in Greater Manchester to be awarded accreditation by UNESCO.

It is only one of 45 secondary schools in the UK that are members of the UNESCO Associated Schools Network and only around 11,500 schools in total across 182 countries worldwide.

The network recognises school which also have a focus on 'humanistic, ethical, cultural and international dimensions of education.’

The United Nations Association in Bolton a model version of the United Nations, following all the same principles and guidelines and authorised by the United Nations Association in Whitehall.

St Joseph’s RC High School headteacher Tony McCabe said: “In a world where young people often get bad press it is so encouraging to hear them talk about their passion to promote human rights, gender and race equality and recognise our responsibility as global citizens.

"The coronavirus pandemic shows how quickly a destructive force can rip through global communities.

"Our work as part of the UNESCO schools network now allows us to join forces with other positive agents across the world so that our work at a local level, living out our mission to ‘value, nurture and respect’ everyone can have a positive global impact."

The school encourages its pupils to explore contemporary issues, broaden their horizons by looking beyond the country's borders. Enrichment activities, scheduled in the timetable, are designed to develop life skills.

Projects undertaken include surveys in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. These formed part of the UN My World 2030 campaign, with the survey results later going live on the United Nations website.

Year 10 student Montgomery 'Monty' Lord, who along with other students at St. Joseph’s spearheaded the campaign for the school to join the UNESCO Associated Schools Network, said: “It’s a great honour that the school has been recognised as a member of the UNESCO Schools network.

"All we did was connect UNESCO with the school and initiate a few projects in support of the UN’s sustainable development goals. It’s all the students, the staff and the school as a whole, our ‘Joey’s family’, who have helped get the school UNESCO accreditation.”