We are proud to be a GOLD UNICEF Rights Respecting School. This means that children's rights are learned, understood and lived in this school. Miss Bickerton leads this area in our school along with the support of the Rights Respecting School (RRS) Steering group, who meet frequently throughout the year to ensure we are doing all we can to support each other's rights and continue to develop and improve in what we do.
In a Rights Respecting School, 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 (duty bearers) and children (rights holders) work towards this goal together. Duty bearers and rights holders commit to this shared goal by learning about their rights, through their rights and for the rights of others.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 steering group is a group of young people and adults from across the school community who lead the schools’ Rights Respecting work. They are here to influence and drive forward change. This group has a leading role to play in our work as a rights respecting school and is therefore representative of the whole school community, including children from different key stages. Our steering group meets regularly and with clear agendas and action points so that the group can:
Follow this link for more information about rights respecting schools:
https://www.unicef.org.uk/rights-respecting-schools/the-rrsa/what-is-a-rights-respecting-school/