1. Rights Respecting Schools
Dalkeith High School: Session 19-20

2. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)
International legislation in place since 1989
Ratified by 195 countries since (with the exception of the USA)
42 articles in total
Currently ‘advisory’ i.e. they inform judgements but may be superseded by other factors; recent agreement to enshrine these in Scots law
Part of the GTCS standards
Help to inform the presumption of mainstream/inclusion policies within Scottish education

3. Why are we aiming to become a Rights Respecting School?
This process isn’t about a badge on a website or a logo on a poster; it’s about a framework that underpins all the valuable work we are doing in school on relationships e.g.
Restorative practices
Positive approach to behaviour
Anti-bullying work
Focus on achievement
Pupil voice/ leadership
Mental health
The RRS programme is international and a widely recognised way of capturing the culture and ethos at the heart of our school

4. What will we actually have to do?
Put simply, carry on developing as a school with an inclusive, respectful and stimulating learning environment
Demonstrate that young people are learning about their rights across the curriculum
Demonstrate that all adults in our school community understand these rights and demonstrate an awareness of these in their practice
Set up a steering group to work directly with our RRS adviser, linking staff, pupils, parents and the wider community together
Develop a RRS charter (longer term)

5. What now; what next?
All young people in have been working on an introduction to the UNCRC in PSE during May/June
A baseline survey has been undertaken with pupils to establish current knowledge
RRS materials will start appearing on the website/ Twitter to ensure our parents/ community are informed
RRS will feature in our School Improvement Plan for
There will be professional learning opportunities throughout next session to ensure that all staff have a shared understanding of children’s rights and work to support these in line with GTCS expectations
There will be a Leadership Group (Steering Group) set up from August, with young people and parents/carers also invited to attend

6. How can parents get involved?
Keep following Twitter- from August, we’ll have a different Article to focus on each week for you to discuss with your young person
Parents of S1-3 pupils can ask about their recent learning
Do you have skills that could contribute to our rights respecting ethos through working with young people or adults? (e.g. YB and restorative practice)
Could you be part of a steering group next session?
Please contribute to my collaborative mind-map if you haven’t already
@MsPrestonDHT