The Rights Respecting Schools Award supports schools to embed the Convention in their practice to improve wellbeing and help all children and young people to realise their potential.

The Award takes a whole school approach to child rights and human rights education. Child rights education can be defined as learning about rights, through rights and for rights within a context of education as a right.

It aims to build the capacity of children and young people as rights-holders to claim their rights, and the capacity of adults as duty bearers to fulfil their obligations. Child rights education helps adults, children and young people to work together. In this way it provides the space and encouragement for the meaningful participation and sustained civic engagement of children and young people.

The Rights Respecting Schools Award puts children’s rights at the heart of schools in the UK. Unicef works with schools in the UK to create safe and inspiring places to learn, where children are respected, their talents are nurtured and they can thrive. Unicef’s Rights Respecting Schools Award embeds these values in daily school life and gives children the best chance to lead happy, healthy lives and to be responsible, active citizens.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is based on an analysis of what children need in order to thrive. These needs can be grouped into four categories:

• To survive as a fit and healthy person
• To be protected from harm and abuse
• To develop physically, mentally and socially
• To participate as an active citizen

We have achieved BRONZE and are now working towards SILVER.

Some of the Articles of CRC (Convention of the rights of a child):

Article 3 – The best interests of the child must be a top priority in all decisions and actions that affect children.

Article 13 – Every child must be free to express their thoughts and opinions and to access all kinds of information, as long as it is in the law.

Article 28 – Every child has the right to an education. Primary education must be free and different forms of secondary education must be available to every child. Discipline in schools must respect children’s dignity and their rights. Richer countries must help poorer countries achieve this.

Article 29 – Education must develop every child’s personality, talents and abilities to the full. It must encourage the child’s respect for human rights, as well as respect for their parents, their own and other cultures, and the environment.

Article 31-Every child has the right to relax, play and take part in a wide range of cultural activities.

What is a Rights Respecting School?

The term ‘Rights Respecting School’ is given to schools that put the work of UNICEF at the heart of their educational policies and practices. Every child has rights and along with those rights come responsibilities. The adults and children in our school model these rights and respect them in all relationships. We aim to make children aware of their rights and to be respectful of the rights of adults and other children.

What is UNICEF?

The Rights Respecting School award is given to schools on behalf of UNICEF.

UNICEF – the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, is the world’s leading organisation working for children and their rights. In 1989, governments worldwide promised all children the same rights by adopting the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). These rights are based on what a child needs to survive, grow, participate and fulfil their potential.

What are the rights of a child?

UNCRC A Summary of Children’s Rights

UNCRC Child Friendly Rights of a Child

Rights Respecting School Calendar

 

Month	Activity / Awareness Days
January	Holocaust Memorial Day (27th)
February	LGBT+ History Month - Safer Internet Day - Children’s Mental Health Week
March	World Book Day (2nd) - International Women’s Day (8th) - World Water Day (22nd)
April	Earth Day (22nd)
May	Mental Health Awareness Week (13th–20th)
June	Soccer Aid for UNICEF - International Day for the Abolition of Child Labour (12th) - Gypsy, Roma & Traveller History Month - Pride Month
July	Safety in the Holidays
August
September	Start of the New School Year - Article of the Week: 29 Charter Guidance - School Council Election (Voice & Democracy) – Article 12 - International Day of Peace (21st) – Pack available - European Day of Languages (26th) - Consider work on Articles 7 and 30 (Pack available)
October	Black History Month - World Teachers' Day (5th) – Articles 28 & 29 - RRSA Annual Conference Booking - Harvest & World Food Day (16th) – Link to Article 6, past packs on Article 24 - Anti-Bullying Week (mid-month)
November	Remembrance Day (11th) – Linked Article - World Challenge Day (20th)
December	Many Faith-Based Festivals – Article of the Week: Article 14 - International Day of Persons with Disabilities (3rd) – Article of the Week - Human Rights Day (10th) – Article of the Week