Rights Respecting Schools/ Global
What is a Rights Respecting School?
At Bunbury, we are proud that being a Rights Respecting School is at the heart of our ethos and is intrinsic to all that we do. All children know they are rights holders who have rights which must be upheld and respected. Our policies and procedures and curriculum plans link to the rights of the child and staff, Duty Bearers, have a clear understanding of how daily practice links to rights.
What is the Unicef Convention on the Rights of the Child?
Thirty years ago, world leaders made a historic commitment to the world’s children by adopting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child – an international agreement on childhood.
It’s become the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history and has helped transform children’s lives around the world.
However, not every child gets to enjoy a full childhood. Still, too many childhoods are cut short or children do not have their needs met. At Bunbury, children learn all about their rights and are also empowered to have their voice heard, to be active citizens who positively impact the world around them.
The Rights Respecting School Award recognises the achievement in putting the Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) at the heart of our school’s practice to improve wellbeing and help all children realise their potential.
What do we do as a Rights Respecting School?
The articles, which are contained in the CRC document, are shared with our children through lessons, general conversation, displays and decision making on different levels at school. Children are involved in decision making, from appointing heads and deputies to voicing what specific areas of a new topic they want to learn and how to develop the school both with regards to the curriculum and to the school building and school life.
There are also many events that we hold throughout the year: fundraising opportunities for our local, national and global charities, themed days which focus on a RR article or a global goal, assemblies, services in church linked to children's rights, mental health days and Neurodiversity week led by our SEN ambassadors.
Pupil voice is of great importance at Bunbury and all children are heard, There are specific groups which encourage children to have their opnions heard: school council, steering committee, ethos group.
The award is based on principles of equity, 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 wellbeing, leading to better learning and behaviour, improved academic standards and increased knowledge of the wider world and children's place within it.
To achieve the UNICEF UK Rights Respecting School Award, there are three evidence-based strands:
Strand A: Teaching and learning about rights
Strand B: Teaching and learning through rights
Strand C: Teaching and learning for rights
Bunbury is proud to have achieved our Gold RRSA Award in Ocotber 2023
What is Global Learning?
Global learning can be described as an approach to learning about international development through recognising the importance of linking people’s lives throughout the world. In 2015, world leaders agreed to 17 sustainable development goals for a better world by 2030. At Bunbury, we explore current global issues and encourage an awareness of the impact that individuals can have on them. We have used the Sustainable Development Goals to explore these issues. https://www.globalgoals.org/
Throughout our school curriculum, the rights of a child and global awareness are embedded in the children's learning.
We look forward to showing you our work on RRSA and Global throughout this year.