Rights Respecting Schools

Parent and Guardian Information

UNICEF is the world’s leading organisation working for children and their rights. In signing the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child all governments have a responsibility to make both children and adults aware of these rights in the UK and across the world. The rights are all the things that children and young people need to make sure that they are happy, healthy and safe.

The ‘Rights Respecting School’ Award will help our pupils to grow into confident, caring and responsible young citizens both in school and within the wider community.

By learning about their rights, our children also learn about the importance of respecting the rights of others.

Who are UNICEF?

• UNICEF is a global charity which protects and supports children
• UNICEF upholds the Convention on the Rights of the Child
• UNICEF are the driving force that helps build a world where the rights of every child are realized
• They work to assure equality for those who are discriminated against and strive for peace and security
• UNICEF encourages young people to speak out and participate in the decisions that affect their lives

The Gryphon School’s aspirations as a rights respecting school

• Rights and Responsibilities are at the heart of the school’s ethos and culture. We aim for outstanding relationships between everyone at the school. We listen, care and look to make a difference to people’s lives.
• The Gryphon school is currently working towards our level 2 assessment where we are fully embedding the values and principles of the UN Conversion on the Rights of the Child into the school’s ethos and curriculum.
• A Rights Respecting School not only teaches about children’s rights but also models rights and respect in all its relationships, with all stakeholders. (UNICEF 2012)
• In order to achieve this, pupils will discuss the UN convention in their subject areas, during PSHE lessons, in tutor time activities, in assemblies and over the course of the Rights Respecting Schools Day we have in July.
• The aim of both the school and UNICEF rights respecting schools is to help children achieve their potential and become responsible citizens. We will do this by promoting activities that encourage respect for self, others, critical thinking skills and informed decision-making.
• As a school pupils have decided that the rights below are important and should be our primary focus for this year.

Please see the UNICEF website for a full list of articles

How can you support?

• Ask your child what they have learnt recently regarding children’s rights.
• Discuss the ideas they are learning about in class and try to think of examples from your own experiences or from the media where children’s rights may have been denied.
• Ask them for their own opinions on the articles.
• Discuss the work high profile UNICEF ambassadors do to support Rights Respecting Schools e.g. David Beckham.

This terms article for reflection is Article 27 – adequate standard of living.

‘Every child has the right to a standard of living that is good enough to meet their physical, social and mental needs. Governments must help families who cannot afford to provide this.’

Article 29 – (goals of education)

Education must develop every child’s personality, talents and abilities to the full. It must encourage the child’s respect for human rights as well as respect for their parents, their own and other cultures, and the environment.