Even though we are in lockdown we are continuing our journey towards achieving our RRSA Silver Award.

The Unicef UK Rights Respecting Schools Award (RRSA) supports schools across the UK to embed children’s human rights in their ethos and culture. The award recognises achievement in putting the UN Convention on the Right of the Child (UNCRC) at the heart of a school’s practice to improve well-being and help all children and young people realise their potential.

The award is based on principles of equality, dignity, respect, non-discrimination and participation. The intention is that children are encouraged to make the most of their opportunities by understanding their rights. As a School Community we are responsible for promoting a rights-respecting environment and raising children’s knowledge and understanding that rights apply equally to everyone globally. Children should be given the opportunity to learn about the wider world and recognise the important role they have to play. (Fairtrade, Shoeshare, Food Bank Collections, environmental activities, etc)

At St. John Ogilvie Primary School we are very proud to have achieved our RRSA Bronze Award last year. We were due to have our Silver Award Assessment visit on the 3rd of April but we went into lockdown instead.

At school we promote a rights-respecting environment through

• Assemblies are teaching children their rights
• Children’s rights are displayed around school to help with understanding the articles
• Playground Charters have been agreed, designed and are in place around the school
• Dinner Hall Charters have been agreed, designed and are in place
• The language of respect and responsibility is used by everyone in school (Ready, Respectful, Safe)
• We show respect to our environment so that others in the future may have their rights.

During lockdown we have continued to talk to children about their rights and have provided weekly activities to remind children that every child has rights, whatever their ethnicity, gender, religion, language, abilities or any other status even in lockdown.