Rights Respecting School

Our academy aims to be a school where children’s rights are at the heart of our ethos and culture, to improve wellbeing and to develop every child’s talents and abilities to their full potential. As a part of this plan, we are working towards the recognition of a ‘Rights Respecting School’, an award given to schools on behalf of Unicef UK.

Children learn about their rights by putting them into practice every day. At Mayflower, the curriculum links rights to many other subjects. Pupils learn about other countries in the context of children’s rights for example: living conditions around the world, comparisons within and between countries. We celebrate diversity by recognising language, traditions and culture and it is embedded through our curriculum and evident during our regular Community Evenings or assemblies.

Our pupils are taught about the unconditional rights they have been given, their value and the importance of respecting the rights of others. We aim to create an environment where relationships are built upon mutual trust and respect and that we all display ‘rights respecting’ behaviour towards each othe

Anca Gaitan- Rights Respecting Schools Leader

The Rights Respecting Schools Award puts children’s rights at the heart of schools in the UK.

Unicef works with schools in the UK to create safe and inspiring places to learn, where children are respected, their talents are nurtured and they are able to thrive. Our Rights Respecting Schools Award embeds these values in daily school life and gives children the best chance to lead happy, healthy lives and to be responsible, active citizens.

Using the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) as our guide, we are working with more UK schools than almost any other organisation. 1.5 million children in the UK go to a Rights Respecting School and more than 4,000 schools up and down the country are working towards the award. Schools work with us on a journey to become fully Rights Respecting. The Award recognises a school’s achievement in putting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child into practice within the school and beyond.

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

By promoting the values of respect, dignity and non-discrimination, children’s self-esteem and well-being is boosted and they are less likely to suffer from stress. A child who understands their rights understands how they and others should be treated and their sense of self-worth is strengthened.

• 97 per cent of headteachers at Rights Respecting Schools said the award had improved children’s respect for themselves and each other.
• 93 per cent of headteachers at Rights Respecting Schools said the award had helped children to embrace diversity and overcome prejudices.
• “We all know our rights and know that if our rights aren’t respected we can do something.” Primary pupil at an RRSA school

Children feel safe

The programme gives children a powerful language to use to express themselves and to challenge the way they are treated. They are also able to challenge injustices for other children. Children and young people are empowered to access information that enables them to make informed decisions about their learning, health and wellbeing.

• 76 per cent of headteachers at Rights Respecting Schools say the award has helped to reduce bulling and exclusions.
• In some cases children have been able to use the language of rights to tell teachers they do not feel safe at home or in their community, whether that’s because of violence, abuse or neglect.
• “Learning about rights has made them [children] more confident about speaking out. They are more confident and articulate.” Parent
• “Teachers empower us and give us confidence.’” Secondary pupil at an RRSA school