Rights Respecting Schools
In Autumn 2006 staff from ten Bracknell Forest primary schools undertook training on how to teach children about the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and use it in their schools as a values framework.
Children were taught about, and understand that they have rights and everyone has the responsibility to respect the rights of others.
The initiative was piloted in schools in Hampshire. There was evidence that children became more tolerant and respectful towards adults and each other. Children became aware of ‘whole world’ issues, such as Fair Trade, and the effect these had on children’s lives every where. Teachers noticed increased motivation and improvement in work quality, a calmer atmosphere and improved communication skills.
Unicef subsequently set up a Rights Respecting Award Scheme and Bracknell Forest became the second authority in the country where it was introduced.
Although still at the early stages of the RRS initiative, the headteachers and school staff in our schools can already see the potential for affecting relationships, attitudes, behaviour and achievement. There is a positive impact on children’s self-esteem and it leads to greater pupil participation and pupil voice in school matters.
Early in 2007 Unicef secured a grant from the DCSF, which will be used mainly to support five Local Authorities that Unicef is currently working with. Schools in Bracknell Forest will benefit, as a result.
Any schools in Bracknell can now sign up to the RRS award scheme and gain access to support and training funded by this grant.
Our aim is to embed the ethos and practice of the Rights Respecting Schools movement in most of Bracknell Forest schools by the end of the academic year 2009/10. The emerging RRS schools will have the opportunity to model the initiative for other schools not only in Bracknell but also in other LAs.
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