A Gold Rights Respecting School

What is the UNCRC?

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child sets out the human rights of every person under the age of 18. The Convention is an international human rights treaty which was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1989 and ratified by the UK in 1991.

The Convention is a very important document because it recognises that all children have the right to be treated with dignity and fairness, to be protected, to develop to their full potential and to participate.

Child rights education aims to build the capacity of children as rights-holders to claim their rights, and the capacity of adults as duty-bearers to fulfil their obligations.

What exactly is a Rights Respecting School?

A Rights Respecting School is where young people gain self-esteem by learning about the rights they have from birth. Evidence shows from assessments that pupils:

  • Feel much more included
  • Self-esteem rises
  • Begin to think about others and their rights
  • Learn to negotiate
  • Child rights education aims to build the capacity of children as rights-holders to claim their rights, and the capacity of adults as duty-bearers to fulfil their obligations.

Rights Respecting at Firs Primary School

Where children learn:

  • The difference between wants and needs.
  • That needs = rights.
  • That their rights are also their friend’s rights i.e. they begin to learn that they have a responsibility.

Children learn that rights bring responsibilities for adults and children:

  • If children have a right to be protected from conflict, cruelty, exploitation and neglect; then they also have a responsibility not to bully or harm each other.

A school where:

  • Everyone learns to use the language of rights, respect and responsibility.
  • Adults and young people model rights-respecting behaviour and language

A school where children gain a powerful voice:

  • Campaigning by pupils to be members of the school council.
  • The successful running of our school council.
  • School BullyBusters representatives.
  • Rights Respecting group of children.
  • Having the confidence to speak passionately about matters that affect others across the world through our school curriculum.

Find out more about Rights Respecting Schools Award

 

 

UNCRCUnited Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child