PARENT INFORMATION
UNICEF is the world’s leading organisation working for children and young people and their rights. 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.
OLM aims to be a school where children’s rights are at the heart of our ethos and culture, to improve well-being and to develop every child’s talents and abilities to their full potential. As part of this plan we are working towards recognition as a ‘Rights Respecting School’, an award given to schools on behalf of UNICEF UK. We have already received a Silver Award for our work so far and are now working towards achieving a Gold Award in May. Our pupils learn about their rights by putting them into practice every day. A Rights Respecting School models rights and respect in all its relationships.
We really hope that you will be able to support us on our journey towards becoming a UNICEF UK Rights Respecting School. Our newsletter will include information about rights each month. By discussing the Rights of the Child at home it will further embed the Rights Respecting School culture we are working towards. For further information about Rights Respecting Schools please visit: www.unicef.org.uk/rrsa
PUPIL INFORMATION
Our pupils have created this interactive slide show to give you some more information about Children’s Rights. It includes their own drawings for each right and is written in child friendly language. Click here to access our child friendly rights presentation.
GOLD AWARD
This year, OLM are aiming to achieve the Gold Award which will recognise all the hard work our staff and pupils have put in to raising awareness of Children’s Rights and including it in all aspects of the curriculum. An ambassador from UNICEF will be coming to assess our work in May. Click here to read our Action Plan for the Gold Award.
CLASS CHARTERS
Our class teachers worked closely with their pupils at the start of the year to create a Class Charter. Class Charters support positive learning environments for our pupils and helps raise awareness of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Our Class Charters help to establish and build shared values and relationships within our school. Have a look at some of our charters below.
PUPIL LEARNING AROUND RIGHTS
Children learn about the rights that they are entitled to through exploring the Convention on the Rights of the Child. This poster (see below) from UNICEF is displayed in every classroom in the school as a reminder of all of the rights children should be enjoying. Pupils are taught that the adults who look after them are called ‘Duty Bearers’ and they have responsibility for keeping them safe. They are also taught that all children are ‘Rights Holders’.
Pupils learn about the ABCDE of children’s rights. All rights are Universal (All), Inherent (Born with them), Inalienable (Cannot be taken away), Unconditional (Do not have to be earned) and are Indivisible (equally important).
Rights are also displayed around the school. In the lunch areas, Article 24 is displayed, the right to food and water. In the playground areas, Article 31 is displayed, the right to play. This helps children to relate the articles in the convention of the rights of the child to their daily life.
PUPILS LEARNING THROUGH RIGHTS
The ethos within our school and the relationships we form with each other are underpinned by the rights of the child. Relationships are founded on dignity and mutual respect for the rights of others. Children know who to speak to if they are worried and are taught about the right to feel safe and protected. As a school community, we take pride in our positive ethos and embrace the values of restorative practice ensuring that incidents are dealt with fairly, consistently and in a manner which upholds the UN convention on the Rights of the Child and the principles of equality and equity.
Children are actively involved in decisions about their learning. Pupil voice is at the heart of our classrooms and school community. Pupils are encouraged to lead their learning by making choices and voicing their views and ideas.
TEACHING AND LEARNING FOR RIGHTS
Children know that their views are taken seriously and listened to. We have a wide variety of pupil leadership groups in our school who represent each class and have an active role in making change.
We have been involved in a wide variety of campaigns throughout this session 22-23 including: Outright campaign for healthcare, food bank appeal for East Renfrewshire Larder, litter picking in local area and parish grounds, litter surveys, clothing appeal for St Vincent de Paul charity, traffic surveys and monitoring with campus Police officers and work with Project Gambia.
As a Laudato Si and Eco school, sustainability is important. We have introduced a school uniform bank and a book bank. We also have Communion dress swaps, Halloween costume swaps and Christmas jumper swaps.
Pupils engage in the world around them and are taught to become responsible global citizens with a deep care for their local community and wider world.
