Our Journey to Becoming a Rights-Respecting School

Welcome to Our Rights Respecting School Journey!

We are excited to share that our school is on an inspiring journey to become a Rights Respecting School, as part of the UNICEF UK Rights Respecting Schools Award (RRSA) program. This award helps us put children's rights at the heart of our school's ethos and culture, ensuring that every child feels respected, valued, and heard.

What is the Rights Respecting Schools Award?

The UNICEF UK Rights Respecting Schools Award (RRSA) is designed to support schools across the UK in embedding human rights into their everyday environment. It is based on the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

Achieving this award means that we are committed to:

• Improving student wellbeing.
• Encouraging every child to realize their full potential.
• Embedding human rights principles throughout our school community.

Our Commitment to Rights Respecting Values

To achieve the Rights Respecting Schools Award, we will be focusing on implementing three core strands:

Strand A: Teaching and Learning about Rights

We ensure that everyone in our school—students, staff, and parents—understands the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). This knowledge will help us work together to improve child wellbeing, make our school better, and promote global justice and sustainable living.

Strand B: Teaching and Learning through Rights – Ethos and Relationships

We believe that all actions and decisions affecting children must be based on their rights. This means:

• We are developing a school community based on equality, dignity, respect, non-discrimination, and participation.
• Ensuring respectful and supportive relationships between students, educators, and parents promotes the rights and well-being of everyone involved.

Strand C: Teaching and Learning for Rights – Participation, Empowerment, and Action

We empower our students to enjoy and exercise their rights and to become advocates for the rights of others. Our aim is to:

• Promote participation at every level, giving students a voice.
• Encourage students to take positive action in their community, both locally and globally.
• Hold ourselves accountable as duty bearers, ensuring that children fully experience their rights.

Our Progress So Far

We are proud of the steps we have already taken:

• Workshops and Assemblies: We have started introducing the concepts of children’s rights to our students through engaging workshops and assemblies.
• Student Ambassadors: A group of students has been selected to be Rights Respecting Ambassadors—championing the rights and sharing their importance with peers.
• Community Involvement: We have reached out to parents and the wider community to get involved in this journey, making it a true collective effort.

Get Involved!

We believe that the entire school community—students, staff, and families—plays a crucial role in this journey. Here’s how you can be a part of it:

• Parents: Talk to your children about their rights and encourage them to participate in school activities focused on rights.
• Students: Be active participants in workshops and share your ideas on how we can make our school a more rights-respecting environment.
• Teachers and Staff: Continue integrating rights-respecting principles into your lessons and everyday interactions.

Together, we are building a school where every child feels respected, empowered, and ready to reach their full potential!

Learn More

For more information on the Rights Respecting Schools Award, please visit the UNICEF UK RRSA website or contact our Rights Respecting Schools Coordinator through our school admin email: admin@stmcps.co.uk

Let’s work together to make our school a place where every child’s rights are recognized and respected!