SACRED HEART IS A SILVER RIGHTS RESPECTING SCHOOL!

On Tuesday 2nd July 2024, we had our accreditation to assess us against the standards for the Rights Respecting Silver Award. Our Steering Ambassadors and Class Representatives shared how they learn about their rights, why they are important and what difference it has made to our school. Staff voice was also included as well as a detailed evidence pack and evaluation document.

We have been assessed as a 'Strong Silver' and have been recommended to aim for our Gold in Summer 2025.

We are so proud of all of our staff, children and families.

We always put the children's rights at the heart of everything that we do and cannot wait to become more involved in our local community. 

Rights Respecting School Award (RRSA)

We are beginning our journey to become a UNICEF Rights Respecting School. We as staff are fully committed to becoming a Rights Respecting School (RRS) and we are currently creating the conditions within school for a rights respecting culture. A RRS is one in which there is a culture of mutual respect underpinning all of its work. Children will learn about their rights as identified in the United Nation’s Convention on the Rights of the Child. They will also learn that they have to respect the rights of all others. In a RRS, children learn to appreciate their role within their school, local community and the global community.

What is the Rights Respecting Award?

“The UNICEF UK Rights Respecting Schools Award (RRSA) supports schools across the UK to embed children’s human rights in their ethos and culture. The award recognises achievement in putting the UN Convention on the Right of the Child (UNCRC) at the heart of a school’s practice to improve well-being and help all children realise their potential. The award is based on principles of equality, dignity, respect, non-discrimination and participation. The initiative started in 2006 and schools involved in the Award have reported a positive impact on relationships and well-being, leading to better learning and behaviour, improved academic standards and less bullying.”

As a school, all adults are helping children learn about and access their rights.

Please look at the UCRC and find out all about children’s rights so that you can and support your child in helping them to understand their rights, and how to respect these in their home environment and in the wider school community.

How can parents help their children know about their rights?

• Spend time talking about the articles at home: https://www.unicef.org/sop/convention-rights-child-child-friendly-version 
•  Look at and discuss child friendly news e.g. Newsround; ask the children about Picture News (we watch this in school). These will often link with rights learning.
• Talk about and work through the ‘Article of the Month’ that are posted on this page.
• Discuss learning about rights and encourage pupils to relate rights to current issues.
• Join in with local charity events and school charity days.
• Take action for positive change in your local community e.g. litter picking and recycling.

Please support us on our continued RRSA journey.

Thank you.

To find our more information about this award, please visit the following website:

https://www.unicef.org.uk/rights-respecting-schools/about-us-new/