Conference 2024: How we create change for children – Rights Respecting Schools Award (unicef.org.uk)

The online event will explore school leadership within the framework of child rights education, aimed specifically at school leaders and those leading RRSA work in their setting.

The half day event will take place on 3 October from 930 to 1230.

Agenda

9:30 – Welcome: with Martin Russell, Programme Director RRSA

9:45 to 10:25 – Leading Change for Children: Find out how the RRSA creates change for children. In this session we will explore our theory of change, a methodology that outlines how we create change for children across the UK through child rights education. With Research, Evaluation and Participation Manager, Charlotte Fielder, teacher and RRSA Lead at Colgrave Primary School Nelson Ganeshwaran and RRSA Professional Adviser Steven Kidd.

10:30 to 11:10 – Child Rights Leadership for Today’s Challenges: with Dr Kulvarn Atwal. This session will explore the major challenges facing school and education leaders today and how incorporating children’s rights into management, policy, teaching and learning can help address these issues.

11:15 to 12:15– Leaders in Conversation: Join us to hear leaders in education from local authorities,  and secondary, primary and trusts school settings across the UK talk about the successes and challenges in their roles and the place of children’s rights and RRSA within the educational landscape.

12:20 – Closing remarks

About this event

This year we will come together on October 3 to explore how we create change for children through child rights education. We will celebrate our shared journey to embed children’s rights into school life and to celebrate the work we do each day to empower children and young people through their rights.

The conference is open to teachers and other staff from schools already involved in RRSA but will be particularly relevant for those working in a leadership roles or those leading RRSA work in their setting. It is also suitable for those as well as those looking to find out more about the programme and professionals in the field of rights-based education.

The conference will be held on 3 October 2024. It will be running from 09:30 – 12:30 (UK time). Attendees can join for the whole event or only attend slots of their choice. Please check the website for more details on speakers and the full timetable. The programme is subject to change.

The conference will be run as a Microsoft Teams Live event. Attendees can participate via live Q&A chat function with speakers and UNICEF UK RRSA staff available on the call to respond.

For any questions please contact rrsa@unicef.org.uk.

Speakers

Nelson Ganeshwaran  – Nelson Ganeshwaran is an Assistant Headteacher in East London, where he holds several key roles including Designated Safeguarding Lead, Behaviour Lead, Wellbeing and Senior Mental Health Lead, SEN Phase Leader, and Rights Respecting Schools Lead. With over a decade of teaching experience, Nelson has demonstrated a commitment to both educational excellence and the holistic development of students. His career includes a notable two-year tenure as Key Stage 2 Lead and Curriculum Lead at an international school in Shanghai, China. Nelson embarked on his journey with his current school in 2014, initiating its path towards becoming a Rights Respecting School. The school is now on the cusp of achieving reaccreditation as a Gold Rights Respecting School. In 2022, Nelson completed a Master’s degree in Education and Leadership, with his dissertation exploring the links between behaviour and oracy, and highlighting the significance of the child’s voice in the educational process. 

Dr Kulvarn Atwal  – Dr. Kulvarn Atwal has spent his entire career teaching and leading in East London schools, and is currently Executive Head Learning Leader of two large primary schools. He has been a Head Teacher of three different schools and his first action in each school he has led is to become a UNICEF UK Rights Respecting School. His doctoral thesis investigated the factors that impact upon teacher engagement in professional learning in schools. His findings were published in 2019 in his first book, ‘The Thinking School’ and he has just released his second book, ‘The Thinking Teacher’.

Rukhsana Ahmed –  I have worked in Manchester for over 25 years. I was born and raised in Longsight and so have a deep understanding of the needs and wants of our local community. I also lead three local children centres and a daycare provision. I sit on a number of influential boards, including Manchester Start Well and the GM School Readiness Board. We started our RRSA journey a number of years ago, and are proud to be a Gold Rights Respecting School. It has enabled our children to find their voices, shape our school, not accept injustice and be loud, clear and very proud. 

Rebcca Wheelan – Rebecca is Deputy CEO for Horizons Specialist Academy Trust. Prior to taking on the role of Deputy CEO, Rebecca had two successful headships, the most recent being the Principal of Abbey Hill Academy, a secondary school for young people with a range of learning difficulties and disabilities. Previous to that Rebecca was the Principal of Green Gates Primary Academy, a school for children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health difficulties.   Having worked with children and young people with a range of needs across a range of school phases, Rebecca is passionate about ensuring that all children and young people achieve their full potential. Rebecca has seen the impact of taking a whole school approach to putting children’s rights at the heart of school policy and practice and for that reason has encouraged all schools within the Trust to become a Rights Respecting School.