UNICEF Rights Respecting School Award
We are delighted to be working with UNICEF to create a safe and inspiring place to learn, where children are respected, their talents are nurtured and they are able to thrive. As a result, we are proud to announce that we have recently been awarded our 'Bronze - Rights Committed’ Rights Respecting Award.
What is the Rights Respecting Schools Award (RRSA)?
'Every child has rights whatever their ethnicity, gender, religion, language, abilities or any other status.'
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The RRSA is based around the United Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) written by UNICEF in 1989. This is a document agreed by almost all of the countries around the world that helps to protect children. It is about the rights that all children should have and that should be respected.
As a school community we are working together to promote the UNCRC in all that we do and are placing this at the centre of our everyday practise in school. UNICEF supports the inclusivity of our school and its effectiveness in helping us to focus and celebrate teaching and learning that encourages respect for ourselves and others; and educating our pupils, staff and families to become proactive in the promotion of defending, recognising and exercising human rights.
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Our Rights Respecting Journey
We began our journey in February 2024. We have worked hard to begin embedding the UNCRC into everything that we do at Elworth and to commit to putting children's rights at the heart of our curriculum. We were delighted to be awarded our 'Bronze - Rights Committed' award in June 2024. Our assessor stated, ‘It is clear from your action plan that you have important steps in place to help you meet the Silver RRSA outcomes’
As we now ‘Go for Silver’ our journey continues towards achieving the 'Silver - Rights Aware’' award. This means that we will show evidence that:
Elworth is explicitly embedding the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in its policy, practice and culture.
We are promoting knowledge and understanding of the Convention throughout our school community.
We are putting into action and developing the plans outlined in our Action Plan for Silver, which we submitted to achieve Bronze: Rights Committed.
We are beginning to see the positive impact of these actions on children and young people, staff, and on the school’s ethos, practice and environment.
Our children and young people are beginning to see themselves as rights respecting global citizens and advocates for fairness and children’s rights, both locally and globally.
We are of the firm belief that progress towards Silver will happen organically and in so doing Elworth will demonstrate the three strands:
Teaching and Learning about rights: for the whole school community through training, curriculum, assemblies, topics, focus days/weeks, displays.
Teaching and Learning through rights: by modelling rights respecting language and attitudes, and making strategic decisions that involve children.
Being ambassadors for the rights of others: developing as rights respecting citizens.
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Elworth is explicitly embedding the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in its policy, practice and culture.
We are promoting knowledge and understanding of the Convention throughout our school community.
We are putting into action and developing the plans outlined in our Action Plan for Silver, which we submitted to achieve Bronze: Rights Committed.
We are beginning to see the positive impact of these actions on children and young people, staff, and on the school’s ethos, practice and environment.
Our children and young people are beginning to see themselves as rights respecting global citizens and advocates for fairness and children’s rights, both locally and globally.
We are of the firm belief that progress towards Silver will happen organically and in so doing our school will demonstrate the three strands:
Teaching and Learning about rights: for the whole school community through training, curriculum, assemblies, topics, focus days/weeks, displays.
Teaching and Learning through rights: by modelling rights respecting language and attitudes, and making strategic decisions that involve children.
Being ambassadors for the rights of others: developing as rights respecting citizens.
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There are four key areas of impact for children at a Rights Respecting school; wellbeing, participation, relationships and self-esteem.
Children are healthier and happier
Children feel safe
Children have better relationships
Children become active and involved in school life and the wider world
The difference that a Rights Respecting School makes goes beyond the school gates, making a positive impact on the whole community. We are proud to be working with UNICEF to create a safe and inspiring place to learn, where children are respected, their talents are nurtured and they are able to thrive.
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Elworth has selected 10 key rights to focus upon through worship, assemblies, visitors, PSHE and all aspects of teaching and learning throughout the academic year 2024-2025. These are:
Article 2: ALL children have these rights. No child should be treated unfairly.
Article 12: You have the right to give your opinion, and for adults to listen and take it seriously.
Article 15: You have the right to choose your own friends and join or set up groups, as long as it isn’t harmful to others.
Article 19: You have the right to be protected from being hurt and mistreated, in body or mind.
Article 23: You have the right to special education and care if you have a disability.
Article 24: You have the right to the best health care possible, safe water to drink, nutritious food, a clean and safe environment and information to help you stay well.
Article 28: You have the right to a good quality education. You should be encouraged to go to school to the highest level you can.
Article 29: Your education should help you use your talents and abilities. It should also help you to protect the environment and respect other people.
Article 30: You have the right to practice your own culture, language and religion- or any you choose.
Article 27: You have the right to food, clothing, a safe place to live and have your basic needs met.
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A Rights Respecting School is a place where we can all feel confident with ourselves and it encourages us to use our voice. It has helped me build my confidence. It has helped me raise awareness of injustice in the world.
A pupil from a Rights Respecting Primary School