Rights Respecting Schools Award

Whitley Village School has achieved our Bronze: Rights Committed Award. 

Since September, Whitley Village School has been working towards achieving the first stage of the becoming a Right Respecting School. In January 2019, we were pleased to receive notification from our local advisor, that Whitley Village has met the required standard to achieve this award.

What is a Rights Respecting School Award? (RRSA)

'Every child rights whatever their ethnicity, gender, religion, language, abilities or any other status.'

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.  

There are four key areas of impact for children at a Rights Respecting school; wellbeing, participation, relationships and self-esteem. We hope that what the children learn through becoming a Rights Respecting School, makes a difference beyond the school gates, making a positive impact on the whole community.

Being a RRS means that our children will be healthier and happier, feel safe, develop better relationships, and become active and involved in school life and the wider world.

How can you support as a parent?

This can be done though disccussions asking your child what he/she has learnt recently regarding children’s rights 

• Discuss the ideas learned in class, and try to think of examples from your own experiences, or from the media, of rights being respected or denied.
• Discuss how your child or your family can promote respect for rights, or help those whose rights have been violated.
• Model using rights language with your children.
• Ask your child’s opinion on children’s rights.

Rights Respecting Ambassadors

A key part of our journey to becoming a rights respecting school, was to engage the children through creating a steering group. The group is made up from teachers, children and support staff. Children will have regular meetings and work hard to ensure pupil voice is heard throughout the school. Actions will then be put in place with the support of adults within the school.  

Our Class Charters

During our transition week in July, the children complete work around a book, unpicking meaning and issues linked to the Rights of a Child. Children select three rights which they would like to focus on. At the heart of the Charters, are our school rules, to be Ready, Respectful, and Safe.

Our Charter's also all include 'Global Glasses' which were made and designed by the children and which demonstrate their views and roles in their community and the wider world.  They understand that they are part of a wider global community and can play many different roles within it.  

For further information please visit: https://www.unicef.org.uk/rights-respecting-schools/

Read our latest newsletter for more information about what we have been up to.