We are becoming a Unicef UK Rights Respecting School!

Harwood Park aims to be a school where children’s rights are at the heart of our ethos and culture, to improve well-being and to develop every child’s talents and abilities to their full potential.  As part of this plan we are working towards recognition as a ‘Rights Respecting School’, an award given to schools on behalf of Unicef UK.

Unicef is the world’s leading organisation working for children and young people and their rights. In 1989, governments across the world agreed that all children have the same rights by adopting the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). These rights are based on what a child needs to survive, grow, participate and fulfil their potential.

Together, young people, staff and the school community learn about children’s rights, putting them into practice every day. The Award is not just about what children do but also, importantly, what adults do. In Rights Respecting Schools, children’s rights are promoted and realised, and adults and children work towards this goal together.

There are four key areas of impact for children at a Rights Respecting school; wellbeing, participation, relationships and self-esteem.

The difference that a Rights Respecting School makes goes beyond the school gates, making a positive impact on the whole community.

• Children are healthier and happier
• Children feel safe and are more equipped to keep themselves safe
• Children develop supportive and respectful relationships with peers and adults
• Children become active and engaged citizens both in school life and the wider world         

The first step in our journey is to set up a steering group and create an action plan to ensure that:

• the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) underpins our values and decision making in school
• the whole school learns about the UNCRC and respects the rights of others
• children are empowered to become active learners and active local and global citizens.

For further information about Rights Respecting Schools please visit:  www.unicef.org.uk/rrsa or speak to your child's teacher, a member of the senior leadership team or our RRSA coordinator, Miss French.