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Welcome to Our Rights Respecting School Page!

We are incredibly proud to announce that our school has achieved the UNICEF UK Bronze: Rights Committed award!

 

This is the first exciting step on our journey to becoming a fully integrated Rights Respecting School. This award recognises that we are anchoring our school values in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

What is a Rights Respecting School?

A Rights Respecting School is a community where children’s rights are taught, practised, and lived. UNICEF UK grants this award to schools that show a unified commitment to placing the UNCRC at the heart of their ethos, policies, and daily practice.

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By learning about their rights, our pupils develop a strong sense of justice, empathy, and global citizenship. They learn not only what they are entitled to, but also how to speak up for the rights of children in Wales and across the world.

Key Vocabulary: Understanding the Language of Rights

To help us live these values, our pupils and staff use specific language. Here are the key terms you might hear your children talking about at home:

  • Rights Holders: Every single child from birth up to the age of 18 is a Rights Holder. Rights belong inherently to them—they do not have to be earned, and they cannot be taken away.

  • Duty Bearers: These are the adults responsible for ensuring that children can enjoy their rights. At school, duty bearers include teachers, teaching assistants, lunchtime staff, and governors. At home, parents and carers are the primary duty bearers.

  • The UNCRC: The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. This is a list of 54 articles (rights) that sit at the very heart of Welsh law regarding children.

The ABCDE of Rights

To help our pupils easily understand how rights work, we teach

the ABCDE of Rights. This framework explains theunique nature

of a child's rights:

A – Rights are Universal (for All children)

Rights belong to every child, everywhere in the world, regardless

of their race, gender, religion, language, or abilities.

B – Rights are Inherent (from Birth)

Children are born with their rights. They do not have to pass a

test, behave well, or reach a certain age to get them.

C – Rights cannot be taken away (Can't be taken)

Rights are inalienable. No one can legally strip a child of their rights. Even if a child makes a mistake or misbehaves, their rights remain intact.

D – Rights are Unconditional (Don't have to be earned)

Rights are not a reward. Children do not have to do chores, complete homework, or "earn" the right to be safe, healthy, or educated.

E – Rights are Indivisible (Equally important)

All rights are linked and equally vital. You cannot choose some rights and ignore others. The right to play is just as legally binding as the right to clean water or an education.

How This Fits into the Welsh Context

Our Rights Respecting journey perfectly complements education and law here in Wales:

  • The Curriculum for Wales: Our new curriculum focuses on developing ethical, informed citizens of Wales and the world. Learning about rights gives our pupils the tools to achieve this.

  • The Rights of Children and Young Persons (Wales) Measure 2011: Wales was the first country in the UK to make the UNCRC a part of domestic law, meaning Welsh Ministers must consider children's rights in everything they do.

  • The Children’s Commissioner for Wales: We utilize resources and guidance from the Children’s Commissioner, an independent champion who stands up for the rights of all children across Wales.

 

What Does This Mean for Our School?

As a Bronze Rights Respecting School, we are actively weaving these

principles into our everyday school life. You will see this through:

  • Class Charters: Instead of just "rules," classes work together to create

  • charters based on specific UNCRC articles, agreeing on how adults and

  • children will respect those rights in the classroom.

  • Pupil Voice: Ensuring our school council, eco-committees, and Criw

  • Cymraeg have a real say in how our school is run.

  • Our Curriculum: Exploring global and local issues, fairness, and identity

  • through our everyday lessons.

 

What’s Next?

Achieving Bronze is just the beginning! Our staff, governors, and pupils are

now working hard towards our Silver: Rights Aware award. We look forward

tosharing our progress with you as our journey continues.

Want to learn more? You can visit the UNICEF UK Rights Respecting Schools

website or check out the Children’s Commissioner for Wales website for child

friendly resources on the UNCRC.

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