Rights Respecting School Award (RRSA)

What is the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)?

In 1989 UNICEF established a set of 54 Articles known as the UN Convention for the Rights of the Child. The convention applies to every child under the age of 18, without discrimination, whatever their ethnicity, gender, religion, language, abilities, whatever they think or say, whatever their family background. Almost every country in the world has signed this convention to uphold the Articles within their country and do all it can to protect children’s rights. The convention underpins everything UNICEF does around the world.

The convention recognises that all children and young people have the right to be treated with dignity and fairness, to be protected, to develop to their full potential and to participate. Every adult is a duty bearer and it is their responsibility to ensure children’s rights are protected.

Click on the link below to read the articles in child friendly language.

At Simonside Primary we are committed to ensuring children’s well-being is at the heart of everything we do. We aim to help our pupils grow into confident, caring and responsible young people both in school and within the wider community and realise their potential.

We are a GOLD UNICEF Rights Respecting School.

What is the Rights Respecting School Award (RRSA)?

The RRSA focuses on children’s rights in schools and takes a whole-school approach to child rights and human rights education. A UNICEF Rights Respecting School is a community where child rights are learned, taught, practised, respected, protected and promoted. 

By learning about their rights, our pupils also learn about the importance of respecting the rights of others i.e. their responsibilities. Pupils at Simonside are encouraged to reflect on how their behaviour and actions affect those around them which allows us to build and maintain a positive and safe learning environment for all.

RRSA is one of our curriculum drivers. It links with our School Values and British Values as well as the work we do promoting Global Citizenship and Equal Opportunities. The RRSA also supports our Healthy School accreditation.

To achieve the UNICEF UK Rights Respecting School Award, schools are required to implement four evidence-based standards:

  • Rights-respecting values underpin leadership and management
  • The whole-school community learns about the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
  • The school has a rights-respecting ethos
  • Children are empowered to become active citizens and learners