West Coats Primary School RRSA Launch Monday 18 th March 2013

What is RRSA ? RRSA is an award that schools receive when they meet all four of the UNICEF Standards. A Rights-respecting values underpin leadership and management. BThe whole school and community learns about the CRC. CThe school has rights-respecting ethos. DChildren are empowered to become active citizens and learners.

5 Key principles of Children’s Rights The right to a childhood ( including protection from harm) The right to be educated The right to be healthy( including having clean water, nutritious food and medical care) The right to be treated fairly ( including changing laws that discriminate against children ) The right to be heard (which includes considering children’s views)

UN Convention on the Rights of the Child In 1989, governments worldwide promised all children the same rights by adopting the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.UN Convention on the Rights of the Child These rights are based on what a child needs to survive, grow, participate and fulfil their potential. They apply equally to every child, regardless of who they are, or where they are from.

Every day these rights are denied. Millions of children are dying from preventable diseases. Millions more don’t go to school, or have food, shelter and clean water. Children are subjected to violence, abuse and discrimination, and go unheard. This is wrong.

The RRSA recognises achievement in putting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) at the heart of a school’s planning, policies, practice and ethos. West Coats Primary School has made a commitment to do this.

Impact By taking these steps, a school community helps improve well-being and develop every child’s talents and abilities to their potential. A rights respecting school not only teaches about child rights but also models rights and respect in all relationships: between teachers/adults and pupils, between adults, between pupils.

How can we gain the RRSA? Recognition of Commitment (November – April 2013) Launch RRSA, Form Steering Group, Conduct Pupil Focus Groups Complete Level 1 Audit & Action Plan (based on the focus group findings) Submit action plan for approval Level 1 (from August 2013) Implement action plan Further embed UNCRC in school life Gather evidence Monitor the impact of the RRSA

There are four main standards: Standard A: Rights-respecting values underpin leadership and management The best interests of the child are a top priority in all actions. Leaders are committed to placing the values and principles of the UNCRC at the heart of all policies and practice. Standard B: The whole school community learns about the UNCRC. The Convention is made known to children and adults. Children and adults use this shared understanding to work for global justice and sustainable living.

Standard C: The school has a rights-respecting ethos. Children and adults join together to develop and maintain a rights-respecting school community, based on the UNCRC, in all areas and in all aspects of school life. Standard D: Children are empowered to become active citizens and learners. Every child has the right to say what they think in matters affecting them and to have their views taken seriously. Children develop the confidence, through their experience of a rights-respecting school community, to play an active role in their own learning and to speak and act for the rights of all to be respected locally and globally.

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