At Houndsfield, we have made a commitment to become a Rights Respecting School. We are enjoying our journey so far and have taken big steps to ensure all members of our school community are ‘Rights Respecting’.
We aim to ensure that all aspects of our school lives are underpinned by the articles on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), as a rights-respecting school puts the CRC at the heart of a school’s culture and ethos to improve well-being and develop every child’s talents and abilities to their fullest potential
Unicef was founded in 1946 by the UN in response to devastation caused in Europe during WW2. It is the world’s leading organisation working for children and their rights.
The UNCRC was signed by the UK in 1991 and sets out the right of every child under the age of 18, across the world and how these rights should be met. At Houndsfield, we teach children about the articles on the convention, the role of duty bearers and what the children must do to ensure they access their rights in the appropriate way.
We have a school charter that reflects some of the articles in the convention. This is followed by all members of the school community – including the duty bearers (adults who work with children and parents).
Our school policies are beginning to reflect the articles of the convention and we are about to introduce a fantastic new system where children have the opportunity to become ‘Rights Champions!’
We recently held a coffee morning for parents to introduce them to the UNCRC and find out more about how they can get involved. There will be more events to come in the future so please look out for dates.
As well as this, our curriculum includes teaching about the articles on the convention and gives children the opportunity to discuss these both in relation to themselves but also in relation to children all over the world.
We have weekly rights respecting assemblies where we celebrate children who have been excellent rights champions during the week as well as trying hard to uphold their right to an education (Article 28).
Please come into school to see all of the wonderful work that has been happening linked to the UNCRC and how we are becoming Rights Respecting!
If you would like any further information, please contact your child’s teacher.
