Rights Respecting Schools

At our school, we believe that every child has the right to be safe, happy, healthy and heard.

This year, we have begun our journey towards becoming a UNICEF Rights Respecting School. By learning about the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), our pupils are developing an understanding of their rights and the importance of respecting the rights of others.

Children's rights are closely linked to our school values and help us to create a positive, inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. Through lessons, class charters, assemblies, pupil leadership opportunities and wider school activities, we will explore how rights and responsibilities help us to become responsible, respectful and active members of our community.

We are excited to be working towards the Bronze: Rights Committed Award and look forward to sharing our progress with you throughout the year.

Assemblies

At our school, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is a key part of our assembly programme. Each year, the Senior Leadership Team carefully plans a calendar of assemblies linked to children's rights, ensuring that pupils develop a growing understanding of the rights they are entitled to and the rights of their peers.

Assemblies are often connected to national awareness days, festivals, commemorative events and significant times of the year (e.g. Harvest, Remembrance, Christmas, Children in Need). This helps pupils see how children's rights relate to real-life issues and events both within our local community and around the world.

We also use information gathered through our wellbeing assessments to help identify areas of Health and Wellbeing that may need greater focus. This allows us to tailor assemblies to the needs of our pupils, providing opportunities to explore topics such as inclusion, kindness, mental wellbeing, relationships, resilience, safety and respect through a rights-based lens.

In addition to assemblies led by staff, every class has the opportunity to lead at least one assembly during the school year. These assemblies enable pupils to share their learning, achievements and experiences with the wider school community. Classes are encouraged to incorporate relevant UNCRC articles into their presentations, helping children make meaningful connections between their learning and children's rights.

By linking children's rights to school values, current events, pupil wellbeing and classroom learning, our assemblies help create a culture where every child feels valued, respected and empowered to have their voice heard. As we continue our Rights Respecting Schools journey, assemblies play an important role in helping our pupils understand their rights and develop as responsible, confident and active citizens.

See details of assemblies this year below.

Class Charters

At the beginning of each school year, every class explores the concepts of needs and wants, children's rights and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Pupils learn about their own rights and consider how their actions can help protect and respect the rights of others.

Through discussion and collaborative activities, pupils identify the rights that are most important to them and agree on the responsibilities that will help everyone in the class feel safe, respected and included. These ideas are then used to create a Class Charter, which sets out how the class will work together throughout the year.

Each class develops its own unique charter display, reflecting the interests, personalities and creativity of the pupils. By creating and referring to their Class Charter regularly, pupils are encouraged to take ownership of their learning environment and develop a shared commitment to upholding the rights of everyone in the classroom.

See some of our class charters this year below.

Pupil Leadership Groups

Our Pupil Leadership Team (PLT) gives pupils a meaningful voice in shaping school life. The team is made up of representatives from each class who gather the views, ideas and concerns of their classmates and share them with the Senior Leadership Team.

The PLT meets fortnightly and has a strong focus on the UNCRC. Members discuss children's rights, identify issues that are important to pupils and help reinforce rights-based messages within their classes.

Through listening to their peers, working alongside school leaders and contributing to decision-making, PLT members play an active role in creating positive change across the school. They help ensure that pupils' voices are heard and that their views lead to meaningful, actionable improvements.

The PLT also takes a leading role in organising and promoting events linked to children's rights and social responsibility. Examples include charitable initiatives such as the Shoebox Appeal, supporting children and families who may need additional help at Christmas. Through these activities, pupils develop their leadership skills while demonstrating our commitment to respecting, protecting and promoting the rights of all children.