A Rights Respecting School
Our Journey as a UNICEF Rights Respecting School
At Ark Oval Primary, we take immense pride in being a UNICEF Rights Respecting School. In November 2023, we achieved Bronze status, and we are currently working toward the Silver Award. In our pursuit of the Gold Award, the work we do over the coming years will ensure that Rights are thoroughly embedded throughout all aspects of school life and procedures.
Putting Children’s Rights at the Heart of Our Community
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) lies at the core of our mission. By teaching children to respect their own rights and those of others, we foster positive relationships within our community. Our focus areas - wellbeing, participation, relationships, and self-esteem—all benefit from this Rights Respecting approach.
Being a Rights Respecting School has a ripple effect. It positively influences not only our students but also the entire community. Children thrive – they are healthier, happier, and feel safer. Stronger relationships form, and they actively engage in both school life and the wider world. But it’s not just about the children; adults play a crucial role too. Understanding and modelling the language of rights is expected from everyone—pupils, staff, governors, and visitors alike.
These abbreviations will be referred to in the document:
- UNCRC – United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child
- RRS – Rights Respecting School
- RRSA – Rights Respecting School Award
- UNICEF – United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund
Watch this video to see what children think about being a RRS.
Above, are the 12 main articles that children are taught about throughout their time at school.
The full list of articles that we reference is here: https://www.unicef.org.uk/rights-respecting-schools/resources/teaching-resources/our-rights-poster/
Empowering Children through Rights: Our Approach
At Ark Oval Primary, we recognise that understanding children’s rights goes beyond mere awareness - it is about fostering deeper connections. Our ethos demonstrates inclusiveness, paving the way for active participation in our community. By learning to express opinions and listen actively, children raise their own achievements. Our commitment aligns with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). This award scheme enhances teaching, learning, attitudes, and behaviour, further emphasising the importance of children’s rights.
Things we do:
- Article of the Week: Our assemblies focus on a specific UNICEF Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) article each week. We explore how these principles shape our school life.
- Curriculum Alignment: Our curriculum challenges stereotypes and advocates for inclusion and equality, directly referencing UNCRC articles.
- Language Matters: Throughout our community, we use language that centers around these articles, ensuring everyone understands and can exercise their rights.
- Pupil Parliament: Our Rights Respecting Pupil Parliament amplifies children’s voices, driving improvements to uphold their rights within the school.
- Class Charters: Each year group creates a Class Charter, outlining how children will respect rights, while adults (Duty Bearers) establish routines to ensure continuous access.
- Policy Commitment: Our policies prioritize children’s rights, including the Behaviour Policy and its implementation.
Empowering Child Participation: A Core Aspect of the RRSA
Active child participation lies at the heart of the Rights Respecting School Award (RRSA). When your child engages with the RRSA, they gain a stronger voice in shaping their school’s operations. Our commitment to this principle is evident through our RRS Steer Group and Pupil Parliament, which play pivotal roles at Ark Oval Primary. We deeply value children’s perspectives and contributions.
What Does This Involvement Entail?
- Peer Education: Children learn from one another, fostering mutual growth.
- Building Positive Relationships: We cultivate an environment where positive interactions thrive.
- Conflict Reduction: Collaboratively, we create a school atmosphere that minimises conflicts.
- Global Rights Awareness: Children explore their own rights and those of peers worldwide.
- Social Justice and Sustainability: We nurture understanding in these critical areas.
- Advocacy for Rights: Children learn to articulate and champion respect for rights, both locally and globally.
Children worldwide face denial of necessities like healthcare, education, and clean water. Pursuing the RRSA heightens our children’s awareness of rights within our community and beyond. It also fosters empathy by recognising disparities faced by others. At ark Oval Primary, the children are known as Right Holders and all adults, for example, parents, teachers and local government are Duty Barers – who help children to enjoy their Rights.
‘Rights are for all children and young people throughout the world (universal), are there at birth (inherent), cannot be taken away (inalienable), do not come with any conditions attached to them (unconditional) and are all equally important (indivisible). Whilst there is not an expectation that children and young people necessarily know the actual words that define these features of rights, it is important that they understand the meaning of them (within the context of their age and ability). ‘UNICEF'.