UNICEF's Rights Respecting Award

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is based on an analysis of what children need in order to thrive. These needs can be grouped into four categories:

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• To survive as a fit and healthy person

• To be protected from harm and abuse

• To develop physically, mentally and socially

• To participate as an active citizen​​

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UNICEF's Rights Respecting Schools Award supports schools to embed the Convention in their practice to improve wellbeing and help all children and young people to realise their potential.

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We have achieved SILVER at our Kershaw Wood Glossop school and are working hard to achieve an award at our other schools.

 

The award puts children’s rights at the heart of schools in the UK, as UNICEF work with staff to create safe and inspiring places to learn, where children are respected, their talents are nurtured and they can thrive every single day.

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Embedding these values in daily school life gives children the best chance to lead happy, healthy lives and to be responsible, active citizens.

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Participation promotes a whole school approach to child rights and human rights education.  Child rights education can be defined as learning about rights, through rights and for rights within a context of education as a right.

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The award aims to build the capacity of children and young people as rights-holders to claim their rights, and the capacity of adults as duty bearers to fulfil their obligations. Child rights education helps adults, children and young people to work together.

 

In this way it provides the space and encouragement for the meaningful participation and sustained civic engagement of children and young people.​​

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What does the Convention include?​

Articles include:

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• Article 3: The best interests of the child must be a top priority in all decisions and actions that affect children.​

• Article 13: Every child must be free to express their thoughts and opinions and to access all kinds of information, as long as it is in the law.​

• Article 28: Every child has the right to an education. Primary education must be free and different forms of secondary education must be available to every child. Discipline in schools must respect children’s dignity and their rights. Richer countries must help poorer countries achieve this.​

• Article 29: 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.​

• Article 31: Every child has the right to relax, play and take part in a wide range of cultural activities.

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What is a Rights Respecting School?

The term ‘Rights Respecting School’ is given to schools that put the work of UNICEF at the heart of their educational policies and practices. Every child has rights and along with those rights come responsibilities. The adults and children in our school model these rights and respect them in all relationships. We aim to make children aware of their rights and to be respectful of the rights of adults and other children.

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What is UNICEF?

​UNICEF, the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, is the world’s leading organisation working for children and their rights. In 1989, governments worldwide promised all children the same rights by adopting the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).