Rights Respecting Schools

There are three stages to the Rights Respecting Schools Award. Its transformative and rigorous approach means the journey to the highest stage can take up to four years.

Together young people and the school community learn about children’s rights, putting them into practice every day. The Award is not just about what children do but also, importantly, what adults do. In Rights Respecting Schools children’s rights are promoted and realised, adults and children work towards this goal together.

There are four key areas of impact for children at a Rights Respecting school; wellbeing, participation, relationships and self-esteem. 

The difference that a Rights Respecting School makes goes beyond the school gates, making a positive impact on the whole community.

• Children are healthier and happier

• Children feel safe

• Children have better relationships

• Children become active and involved in school life and the wider world

The impact of the RRSA can be demonstrated for children and whole school communities in the following areas:

• Children learn about rights

• Children can exercise their rights

• A culture of respect across the school

• Pupil engagement – a shared sense of community and belonging

• A culture where children’s voices are heard and valued

• Children take their right to an education seriously

• Global citizenship – children believe they can change the world for the better

• Children develop self-esteem and value themselves

• A school environment where children feel safe and cared for

• Adults also benefit from a rights respecting culture

Knowledge and understanding of rights is central to change in these areas since rights not only set standards that children can expect, but also empower children to challenge when these standards are not met. 

Meet our Rights Respecting Representatives. These pupils form our steering group that come together every fortnight to develop the rights within our school. Their role is to ensure we are focusing on achieving our Silver Award targets. They are the voice of those who may want to discuss children's rights in the classroom, or bring to light the positive aspects of how we are raising pupil's awareness of their rights in our school.

Every fortnight, pupils engage with a Rights Respecting Assembly to learn about their Article of the Month or about a right linked to an event that is happening in the world.