Rights Respecting

Our Journey as a UNICEF Rights Respecting School

In December we achieved Bronze status, which means we are rights committed and we are currently working toward the Silver Award.  The work we do over the coming years will ensure that Rights are thoroughly embedded throughout all aspects of school life and procedures.  Active child participation lies at the heart of a Rights Respecting School Award (RRSA).  When children engage with the RRSA, they gain a stronger voice in shaping their school’s operations.

What is a Rights Respecting School?

The Rights Respecting Schools Award is a Unicef UK programme that aims to put children’s rights at the heart of schools in the UK.  Unicef UK work with thousands of schools across the country to embed children’s rights in their ethos and culture to improve wellbeing and develop every child’s talent and ability to their full potential.  Schools work with Unicef UK on a journey to become fully Rights Respecting.  The Award recognises a school’s achievement in putting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC or UNCRC) into practice within the school and beyond.

What does it involve?

The Rights Respecting Schools Award (RRSA) focuses on children’s rights in schools and take a whole school approach to child rights and human rights education.  Child Rights Education (CRE) can be defined as learning about rights, learning through rights and learning for rights within an overall context of education as a right.  It aims to build the capacity of children as rights-holders to claim their rights, and the capacity of adults as duty-bearers to fulfil their obligations.  Child rights education help adults and children to work together, providing the space and encouragement for the meaningful participation and sustained civic engagement of children.

Putting Children’s Rights at the Heart of our Community

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child lies at the core of our mission.  By teaching children to respect their own rights and those of others, we foster positive relationships within our community.  We recognise that understanding children’s rights goes beyond mere awareness – it is about fostering deeper connections.  Our ethos demonstrates inclusiveness, paving the way for active participation in our community.  By learning to express opinions and listen actively, children raise their own achievements.  Our commitment aligns with the United Nations Convention on the Right of the Child (UNCRC).  This award scheme enhances teaching, learning, attitudes and behaviour, further emphasising the importance of children’s rights.

Things we do:

• Article of the Week (in school): Our pupils are introduced to the Articles during whole class assembly.  This discussion is then continued throughout the week in class and in year group assemblies.
• Article of the Week (in our community): We share different Articles in our monthly newsletters so that discussions started at school can continue at home.
• Curriculum Alignment: Where possible we align our curriculum to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Pupils are actively involved in a range of activities to promote their rights locally and globally.
• Language Matters: Throughout our community, we use language that centres around these articles, ensuring everyone understands and can exercise their rights.
• School Council: Our School Council amplifies children’s voices, driving improvements to uphold their rights within the school
• Policy Commitment: Our policies prioritise children’s rights, including the Behaviour Policy and its implementation.

What Does This Involvement Entail?

• Peer Education: Children learn from one another, fostering mutual growth
• Building Positive Relationships: We cultivate an environment where positive interactions thrive
• Conflict Reduction: Collaboratively, we create a school atmosphere that minimises conflicts
• Global Rights Awareness: Children explore their own rights and those of peers worldwide.
• Social Justice and Sustainability: we nurture understanding in these critical areas
• Advocacy for Rights: Children learn to articulate and champion respect for rights, both locally and globally.

“Rights are for all children and young people throughout the world (universal), are there at birth (inherent), cannot be taken away (inalienable), do not come with any conditions attached to them (unconditional) and are all equally important (indivisible).  Whilst there is not an expectation that children and young people necessarily know the actual words that define these features of rights, it is important that they understand the meaning of them (within the context of their age and ability).”   UNICEF