Rights Respecting School

In September 2016 we started our journey to become a ‘Rights Respecting School (RRS) with a ‘Rights’ day which saw all learners across the school learning not only about their rights but also the responsibility they have to ensure they respects the rights of others.

This is linked to the United Nation’s Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and since then we have been working really hard to achieve the Level 1 award of Rights Respecting Schools

How is RRS implemented at Woodlands Academy?

It is an integral part of all of our teaching and learning at Woodlands and underpins our school policy and ethos, this in turn helps our learners understand their place as a global citizen.

It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that these rights are accessible to all of our children at all times. Assemblies highlight this belief by promoting responsible behaviour, the right of children around the world and use of rights respecting language, not just in the school but within the home environment too.

Respect for each other and keeping ourselves and others safe is paramount. The language we use promotes this through our school charter. 

Why the Rights Respecting School 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:

  • 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
 

What do we need to do to achieve level 1?

The award recognises achievement under the following four aspects of school life:

  • Leadership and management for embedding the values of the UNCRC in the life of the school
  • Knowledge and understanding of CRC
  • Classroom climate and culture: rights-respecting classroom
  • Pupils actively participate in decision-making throughout the school
 

To achieve level one we need to show that our school has made good progress across all four dimensions so that the values and principles of the CRC are at least partially embedded in the life of the school.

Some of the Articles of CRC:

Class Charters

In September all classes worked to write a class charter which sets out each pupils rights and responsibilities in the class. We are all involved in creating them. We use the articles from the UNCRC and think of ways we can make sure that ‘we all enjoy our rights.’ We all have to agree and show our agreement by a signature and decorating a symbol which represents us. Here are some of our wonderful creations.