We are proud to be a UNICEF Gold Rights Respecting School.
What is a Rights Respecting School?
We are working in partnership with Unicef on our journey to becoming a Rights Respecting School. Unicef are helping our school staff to talk to children of all ages about the big issues facing the world today, from the refugee crisis to climate change.
There are three stages to the Rights Respecting Schools Award. Its transformative and rigorous approach means the journey to the highest stage can take up to four years.
Together, young people and the school community learn about children’s rights, putting them into practice every day. The Award is not just about what children do but also, importantly, what adults do. In Rights Respecting Schools children’s rights are promoted and realised, adults and children work towards this goal together.
There are four key areas of impact for children at a Rights Respecting school; wellbeing, participation, relationships and self-esteem. The difference that a Rights Respecting School makes goes beyond the school gates, making a positive impact on the whole community.
Children are healthier and happier
By promoting the values of respect, dignity and non-discrimination, children’s self-esteem and wellbeing is boosted and they are less likely to suffer from stress. A child who understands their rights understands how they and others should be treated and their sense of self-worth is strengthened.
Children feel safe
The Rights Respecting Schools Award gives children a powerful language to use to express themselves and to challenge the way they are treated. They are also able to challenge injustices for other children. Children and young people are empowered to access information that enables them to make informed decisions about their learning, health and wellbeing.
Children have better relationships
Both with their teachers and their peers, based on mutual respect and the value of everyone’s opinion. In a Rights Respecting school children are treated as equals by their fellow pupils and by the adults in the school. Children and young people are involved in how the Award is implement in the school but are also involved in strategic decision-making; in decisions about their learning; and in views about their well-being.
Children become active and involved in school life and the wider world
This builds their confidence to make informed decisions. They have a moral framework, based on equality and respect for all that lasts a lifetime, as they grow into engaged, responsible members of society. Children and adults develop an ethos and language of rights and respect around the school. Rights and principles of the Convention are used to put moral situations into perspective and consider rights-respecting solutions – this all has a huge impact on relationships and well-being. Children and young people get very involved in raising awareness about social justice issues, both at home and abroad. They become ambassadors for rights and take part in campaigns and activities to help to bring about change.
The Right Respecting Schools Award recognises achievement in putting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) at the heart of a school’s planning, policies, practice and ethos.
For a school to receive accreditation, it must evidence that it has reached the three RRSA Strands. A school uses these Strands and other guidance provided to plan and monitor progress.
The three RRSA Strands
Strand A: Teaching and learning about rights.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is made known to children, young people and adults, who use this shared understanding to work for improved child wellbeing, school improvement, global justice and sustainable living.
Strand B: Teaching and learning through rights – ethos and relationships
Actions and decisions affecting children are rooted in, reviewed and resolved through rights. Children, young people and adults collaborate to develop and maintain a school community based on equality, dignity, respect, non-discrimination and participation; this includes learning and teaching in a way that respects the rights of both educators and learners and promotes wellbeing.
Strand C: Teaching and learning for rights – participation, empowerment and action
Children are empowered to enjoy and exercise their rights and to promote the rights of others locally and globally. Duty bearers are accountable for ensuring that children experience their rights.
The impact of being a UNICEF Rights Respecting School is that the lives of children and young people have improved through their education about children’s rights.
As the principles and values of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) have been introduced and reinforced throughout school life, children and the wider school community have benefitted in the following ways:
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Pupils are developing a long-term commitment to values such as social justice and inclusion
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There has been a reduction in bullying and discriminatory behaviour among children
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Pupils enjoy and feel safe at school
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Pupils feel included and valued
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Pupils’ wellbeing and emotional resilience has improved
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Pupils’ engagement in the school and their own learning has improved
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Pupils’ attainment is improving, and the attainment gap between disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged pupils has narrowed
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Pupils are more engaged in their local and global communities as ‘active citizens’
Follow the links below for more information.
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child Summary
Gold Rights Respecting Report June 2019
Silver Rights Aware Report September 2018
Paddington's Postcards