September 2021
This year Swallowdale is committed to working towards the Rights Respecting Schools Silver Award.
In December 21 we achieved the first step – the Bronze Award. We are now officially a Rights Committed School.
Our journey to Silver will show that we aim to be a school where children’s rights are at the heart of our ethos and culture so that we can improve well-being and develop every child’s talents and abilities to their full potential.
What is a Unicef UK Rights Respecting School?
We think that when schools get involved, the children learn about their rights by putting them into practice every day.
Children and adults will learn about the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) which outlines what children need to survive and thrive, becoming the best they can be and achieving their potential.
What is the Convention on the Rights of the Child?
In 1989, governments worldwide promised all children the same rights by adopting the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Convention recognised that all children have the right to be treated with dignity and fairness, to be protected, to develop to their full potential and to participate. The rights in the Convention describe what a child needs to survive, grow, and live up to their potential in the world. They apply equally to every child, no matter who they are or where they come from.
The Convention changed the way children are viewed and treated – in other words, as human beings with a distinct set of rights instead of as passive objects of care and charity. It is the most widely ratified human rights treaty – only the United States has not ratified it. The UK signed up to it in 1991.
Why is this important for Swallowdale?
A Unicef UK Rights Respecting School models rights and respect in all its relationships, whether between adults and pupils, between pupils or between adults. It is proven to benefit everyone in the school community to grow and learn together.
How will becoming a Rights Respecting School benefit my child(ren)?
This approach works in many schools across the country to improve well-being and develop every child’s talents and abilities to their full potential. Headteachers from schools involved in the Award say it has improved children’s and young people’s respect for themselves and others and contributed to children and young people being more engaged in their learning.
Key people in school
Mrs Marriott is the adult leading the project in school. Mrs Emma Janson is the Lead Governor working on the project and children from the School Council are the voices from school.
Helpful links
