We have successfully achieved the Silver: Rights Aware award for our rights-respecting work.

What is the Rights Respecting Schools Award?

The Unicef UK Rights Respecting Schools Award (RRSA) supports schools across the UK to embed children’s human rights in their ethos and culture. The award recognises achievement in putting the UN Convention on the Right of the Child (UNCRC) at the heart of a school’s practice to improve well-being and help all children realise their potential.

The award is based on principles of equality, dignity, respect, non-discrimination and participation. The initiative started in 2006 and schools involved in the Award have reported a positive impact on relationships and well-being, leading to better learning and behaviour, improved academic standards and less bullying.

What does the Award involve?

Schools involved in the Rights Respecting Schools Award work towards recognition that they have embedded children’s rights in their school’s practice and ethos. Schools are required to implement four evidence-based standards that cover the leadership of the school, knowledge and understanding of children’s rights, ethos and relationships and the empowerment of children.

There are three levels to the Award:

• Bronze: Rights Committed
• Silver: Rights Aware
• Gold: Rights Respecting

The journey to Silver Level 1 can take 6 — 12 months and we are currently working towards this award at Downderry Primary School.

Rights Respecting Assemblies

How can parents support what children are learning about rights at school?

• Take the time to ask your child what he/she has learned 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. 
• Ask your child’s opinion on children’s rights.  

Some typical ways of using Rights Respecting language at home

• You have the right to play but you must respect the family’s right to a tidy house  and must tidy up your toys afterwards. 
• You have the right to watch the TV but your right to be fed is more important right now and you need to turn the TV off.   
• You have the right to an opinion and I will listen but you need to respect my right to express an opinion as well.
• You have the right to be healthy and my job is to make you healthy by giving you healthy foods 
• You have the right to a clean world to live in and so does everyone else. Therefore you need to respect that right and put your rubbish in the bin.