The teaching and learning resource on Israel/Palestine previously available on this blog via a password is no longer hosted on Glow. The resource has now been published by the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS). Further information can be obtained from the EIS.
03 September 2019
Some Scottish schools have connected with schools in Palestine to explore the UNCRC. Palestine was chosen as it was identified by the UN as an area of priority regarding children’s rights St Michael’s Primary in Dumbarton paired with Rawdat El Zahur primary in East Jerusalem. A cultural programme has been agreed where children demonstrate and learn each other’s traditional dance, exchange information about local heroes and develop a shared playground charter based on the UNCRC.
In January, Our Lady and St Patrick’s High School invited other schools to join then for a day of connected learning with Palestinian schools.
The Scottish/Palestine school link is coordinated in a partnership between Scottish and Palestinian schools, the British Council and Scottish Friends of Palestine.
To find out more about the project contact:
British Council Connecting Classrooms: schoolsonline.britishcouncil.org
Scottish Friends of Palestine: sfpeducationlink@gmail.com
THE FILM:
View the film below or download here.
Inverclyde’s St Columba’s High School has become the first secondary school in Scotland to receive a Level 2 Rights Respecting School Award by UNICEF UK.
UNICEF is the world’s leading organisation working for children and their rights. The Rights Respecting Schools Award is granted to schools that show commitment to promoting children’s rights and encouraging children and young people to respect the rights of others in school. The Level 2 Award is the highest given by UNICEF UK and shows a deep and thorough commitment to children’s rights at all levels of school life. There are a total of 180 Level 2 schools across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. St. Columba’s High School is the first Secondary School in Scotland to achieve this high level.
Head teacher of St. Columba’s High School, Jim Docherty said: “We are extremely proud of all the pupils and staff who have contributed to this spectacular achievement. The positive impact of becoming rights-respecting can be seen through many areas of the school, for example much more positive relationships and behaviour. Most of all, the students have improved self-confidence and better relationships with staff which together outlines our Curriculum for Excellence.”
Education & Communities Convener Councillor Terry Loughran added: “To be the first school in Inverclyde and Scotland is a significant achievement for St. Columba’s and I would like to pass on my congratulations to all the staff and pupils. Working with other schools, St. Columba’s has been very active in promoting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, encouraging others to develop their talents and to contribute to their own learning. It is great to see now the school’s hard work and efforts being recognised on such a high level.”
The Award recognises achievement in putting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child at the heart of a school’s planning, policies and practice. UNICEF UK Deputy Executive Director, Anita Tiessen, said: “The school very much impressed with how pupils and staff have fully embraced the rights-respecting ethos. Children at St Columba’s understand their rights, show respect for each other and are empowered to be positive, engaged citizens. It is great to see how St Columba’s High has truly put the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child at the heart of their school and we are very pleased that they have become the first secondary school in Scotland to achieve the UNICEF UK Level 2 Rights Respecting Schools Award.”
The school self-evaluates progress and when they believe they have met the standards an external assessment takes place and where the standards have been met a certificate is awarded. (Achieving Level 1 takes between 12 to 18 months).
The Rights Respecting Schools initiative now involves over 3,300 primary and secondary schools in the UK who have reported a positive impact on pupil behaviour, relationships and well-being by enhancing pupil’s self-esteem, leading to less truancy and bullying, better learning and improved academic standards.
Gerry McMurtrie, Children’s Rights Officer, Inverclyde: gerry.mcmurtrie@inverclyde.gov.uk
Children and young people in Inverclyde hosted a conference to let parents and professionals know what they expect from new legislation on the rights of the child.
Pupils from St Columba’s High School in Gourock and its associated primary schools and nurseries – St Andrew’s; St Joseph’s, St Ninian’s, Bluebird Child and Family Centre, Binnie Street Children’s Centre and Larkfield Children’s Centre – decided to showcase their knowledge and experience of children’s right by holding the event around the Children & Young People (Scotland) Bill.
Education & Communities Vice Convener Councillor Martin Brennan said: “Over the past few years St Columba’s and the other schools have worked together to promote the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, actively encouraging all children and young people to develop their talents and to become active contributors to their own learning. This is their opportunity – through a series of workshops and presentations – to educate their parents, carers and professionals about how the new law might impact on them.”
St Columba’s and all of its associated primaries are UNICEF Rights Respecting Schools – a UK-wide initiative for all children and those working with or for children in formal education. The award recognises achievement in putting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child at the heart of a school’s planning, policies, practice and ethos.
A rights-respecting school not only teaches about children’s rights but also models rights and respect in all its relationships – between teachers/adults and pupils, between adults and between pupils.
Councillor Brennan added: “Part of the commitment is to share knowledge of rights; to promote good practice and to promote the convention. It is vital that when we make decisions that affect our children’s future we have an understanding of their point of view.”
The Children & Young People (Scotland) Bill received Royal Assent on 27 March 2014 and will become The Children & Young People (Scotland) Act 2014.
Implications include:
Children’s Rights: Scottish Ministers will need to consider children’s rights when making policy decisions and report every three years on what they have been doing to encourage and support the UNCRC. Local government will also be required to develop children’s services plans every three years, report on what they are doing in relation to children’s rights and actively listen to children and young people.
Early years: Increasing the hours and flexibility of early years care.
Looked after Children: Additional support for looked after and accommodated children and extending the age of leaving care.
Whinhill Primary Rights Respecting Robert
Whinhill Primary, Rights Respecting Robert Citizenship AwardWhinhill Primary School in Inverclyde recently held a competition for pupils to develop a school mascot to promote children’s rights. The design chosen is Rights Respecting Robert – and he is now displayed around the school. Now when pupils, staff, parents or visitors walk around the school, they know if they see Rights Respecting Robert, that children’s rights are displayed. This is helping everyone to learn more about rights, and see where links can be made.
Whinhill Primary have also went further, and have recently introduced a ‘Rights Respecting Citizen’ award for pupils incorporating Rights Respecting Robert.
Rights Respecting Robert talks about rights in English and in Gaelic, to ensure that the rights message is spread equally around the school. Whinhill Primary in Greenock offers English and Gaelic education.
For further information contact the school: http://whinhill.inverclyde.sch.uk/
Beatlie School in West Lothian has become the first school for children with severe and complex additional support needs to receive UNICEF’s Rights Respecting Schools Award.
In their blog you will see how the best interests and dignity of each individual child is respected and cherished by all at Beatlie.
https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/wl/beatlieblog/
Inverkip Primary School and Nursery class recently held a Children’s Rights day. The Rights Respecting School steering group pupils gave a presentation on Children’s Rights to the whole school, and invited myself as Children’s Rights Officer along to give a presentation on Children’s Rights and some of the work I am involved in.
The entire school and nursery then spent the day learning about Children’s Rights. Inverkip Primary have kindly shared the lesson plans.
Inverkip Nursery Rights Lesson Plan
Inverkip Primary P.1 Rights lesson plan
Inverkip Primary P.2 Rights Lesson Plan
Inverkip Primary P3 Rights lesson plan
Inverkip Primary P4 rights lesson plan
Inverkip Primary P5 rights lesson plan
Inverkip Primary P5/6 rights lesson plan
Inverkip Primary P6/7 rights lesson plan
Inverkip Primary P7 rights lesson plan
Inverclyde’s Community Health and Care Partnership Director, Brian Moore, said: “Children from any background can be victims of abuse or neglect. It affects both boys and girls, from babies to teenagers. I would urge anyone with a suspicion that a child is at risk to talk to someone about it. You can talk to a teacher or health visitor or you can make a call to either the social work department or the police. Don’t leave it too late.”
The campaign image of the campaign encouraging people to ‘Speak Out’ will be displayed in prominent sites throughout Inverclyde. Postcards providing useful contact numbers will be available through health centres, social work offices and other council buildings. If you shop at Morrisons you will also find the contact numbers printed on the back of your till receipt. And, for the first time, the campaign will take to airwaves with real life stories aimed at encouraging the few people who have concerns to come forward and speak out.
For more information about protecting children visit www.inverclydechildprotection.org or www.childprotectionscotland.org
Twitter users can share the campaign message using #speakout
St Peter’s Early Years Centre have produced a leaflet on rights for parents.
Clydemuir Primary School will host an Open Day in March 2014. Here you will be able to see more of their practice, share their resources and ask questions of staff and children already well advanced on the Rights Based Learning journey.
A specific feature of Clydemuir’s approach to rights has been their highly organised plan for embedding rights
Thurs March 27 2014
Morning 9.30 – 11.30
Please e mail the school to inform them of your intention to attend.
