Rights Respecting School

At Caldicot, we aim to be a school where student’s rights are at the heart of our ethos and culture. 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. A summary of the UNCRC can be found here. 

Caldicot School is working towards being recognised as a “Rights Respecting School”, which is an Award given to schools on behalf of UNICEF UK, and is based on the foundations of the UNCRC. Information about UNICEF UK Rights Respecting Schools can be found here.

The school has successfully achieved the first stage of the Rights Respecting School Award (RRSA) in April 2021 – Bronze: Rights Committed. By becoming a “Rights Respecting School”, students will have the opportunity to learn about these rights by putting them into practice every day. A UNICEF UK Rights Respecting School models rights and respect. This impacts on students’ respect for themselves and others, and contributes to high levels of engagement in learning.  

Working towards the RRSA gives the opportunity for students to lead change, through both the whole School Council and the Rights Respecting Steering Group. This focuses on three main areas

• teaching and learning about rights. The UNCRC is made known to children, young people and adults who use this shared understanding to work for improved child well-being, school improvement, global justice and sustainable living;
• teaching and learning through rights – ethos and relationships. Actions and decisions affecting children are rooted, reviewed and resolved through rights. Children, young people and adults collaborate to develop and maintain a school community based on equality, dignity, respect, non-discrimination and participation; and
• teaching and learning for rights – participation, empowerment and action.  Children are empowered to enjoy and exercise their rights and to promote the rights of others locally and globally.

As the school continues towards the next stage of the Award, students will be further developing and delivering the school's Action Plan to become fully rights respecting.  This includes

• devising a School Charter to reflect rights of children and young people;
• leading “launch week” where students have the opportunity to start to explore and discuss the rights that all children and young people enjoy;
• considering how to utilise the school environment to promote the UNCRC, for example the Right of the Week”; and
• actively participating in the UNICEF Outright Campaign, World Children’s Day and the “World’s Largest Lesson”.

For more information, please contact Mrs O'Callaghan, Assistant Head by email.