Rights Respecting School
We are a Rights Respecting School and have recently received the Silver Award from Unicef UK for our work in this area – we are now working towards the Gold award! Children’s rights are at the heart of our ethos and culture and we continuously work to ensure that our school is a happy, kind, caring and respectful environment where children can achieve success in all aspects of school life.
In 1989, governments across the world agreed that all children have the same rights by adopting the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). These rights are based on what a child needs to survive, grow, participate and fulfil their potential. Please see the poster below which explains all of the different rights.
In March 2025, we were successful in our re-accreditation assessment for the Silver Rights Respecting Schools award. The assessor looked at a wide range of evidence and also spoke to children, staff, parents/carers and governors. She was very impressed by our pupils’ strong understanding of children’s rights and the ways in which we teach about these in school. Some sections from the report are shared below.
‘Children met with are confident in the concept of fairness and equity and know that adults in school are there to listen and support them’
‘There is a strong focus in school on inclusion and this was clear when hearing children discuss non-discrimination, highlighting their learning about racism’
‘An active School Council and Rights Respecting Team are involved in promoting rights across the school and making the school the best place possible’
‘Children are able to bring fundraising ideas to the Headteacher and regularly lead Friday Fundraiser activities, sharing their plans and the impact of their action in assemblies’.
In school we have weekly Rights Respecting Schools Assemblies where we look closely at a different Article/Right each week. Our School Council and Respecting Schools Team work with their classmates to ensure that their views and suggestions relating to these Articles/Rights are heard and actioned.
School Council & Rights Respecting Team
The team below have been elected by their classmates and are looking forward to working on a range of areas this year. A big focus for them will be helping the school to achieve the Climate Friendly School Award by July 2024. Their main actions to work on are as follows:
The actions for 2023-24 have been created and agreed through discussions with the School Council/Rights Respecting Team. These are as follows:
- To reduce food waste at lunchtimes in school
- To set up a school uniform re-cycling scheme
- To have a plant in each classroom and Plant Monitors to look after and water these
- To reduce energy use in school through the use of Energy Monitors. They will carry out weekly checks to ensure lights are turned off etc when no-one there.
- To reduce water wastage in school by using water not drunk at lunchtimes to water plants in the classroom and school grounds.
- To plant blackberry and gooseberry bushes in our Forest School area.
- To ensure that each class get two Forest School sessions each year.
- To share climate friendly information and tips with our wider community. This will include our School Council/Rights Respecting Team writing a section of our monthly school newsletter.
- To ensure all windows in school have well fitted blinds.
- To help children learn more about careers in climate friendly roles/industries through inviting visitors from this sector to speak to us during Careers and Enterprise Week in July.
THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD Article 29:
Your education should help you use and develop your talents and abilities. It should also help you to learn to live peacefully, protect the environment and respect other people.
