Rights Respecting Schools

Gidea Park Primary School is proud to be recognised as a Rights Respecting School by UNICEF UK. We have achieved Bronze: Rights Committed and are now working towards Silver: Rights Aware. This means we are embedding children’s rights into our school ethos, curriculum, and daily life, helping pupils become responsible, active citizens.

                    

What is the Rights Respecting Schools Award?

The Rights Respecting Schools Award (RRSA) is based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). It supports schools in creating an environment where children feel safe, valued, and heard, ensuring they understand both their rights and responsibilities.

How It Links to Our School Values

The RRSA aligns closely with our Core Values:

• Independence – Encouraging pupils to understand their rights and make confident choices.
• Respect – Fostering kindness, inclusion, and understanding in all aspects of school life.
• Perseverance – Building resilience to stand up for what is right and make a difference.
• Achievement – Creating a supportive environment where every child can thrive.
• Responsibility – Helping pupils understand their role in shaping a fair, caring community.

Right of the Month - May

Articles 24 & 6 - Heatlh and Life / Survival / Development

 

Although Earth Day took place in April, we are taking the opportunity to explore this theme in May alongside Sir David Attenborough’s birthday next week. His birthday is on 8th May, which is a lovely chance to reflect on his lifelong work in protecting our planet and inspiring children to care for the natural world.

This month, our Rights of the Month are Article 24 – the right to the best possible health and Article 6 – the right to life, survival and development.

With spring here and warmer weather arriving, this is a great opportunity to help children think about how nature, fresh air, exercise, healthy choices, and caring for our environment all support our wellbeing and future. Linking this to David Attenborough’s work helps children understand the importance of protecting the world around us so that everyone can grow, thrive, and stay healthy.

Possible discussion questions:

March 2026

Articles 24 & 27 - World Water Day

 

World Water Day – 22nd March

This month, we are learning about Articles 24 and 27 from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. These rights remind us that every child should have access to clean water, good health, and a safe, healthy environment to live in. Clean water is essential for drinking, washing, and staying well, and it plays a big part in helping children grow, learn, and thrive.

As part of our learning, we will be thinking about how we use water in our daily lives and why it is important not to waste it. We will also explore how these rights are not met for all children around the world and what we can do to help care for our environment.

Questions for children to think about:

• How do we use water at school?
• How can we make sure we are not wasting water in our classroom or playground?
• Why might some people in the world not have access to clean water?
• How can we help look after water in our community?

Questions parents could ask at home:

• Why is clean water important for our health?
• How do we use water every day at home?
• What can we do to save water at home?

Thank you for supporting your child’s understanding of their rights and how they can help care for the world around them.

February 2026

 Article 24 - Wellbeing

 supported by Articles 17 & 27 - information and safety

     

This month our Right, chosen by our Rights Ambassadors, is Article 24 - every child has the right to the best possible health, including mental health.

This is supported through articles 17 & 27 – the right to information that supports wellbeing and to conditions that help a child develop fully - physically, mentally and emotionally.

Children’s rights include their mental health and wellbeing, not just their physical health. This means children have the right to support, understanding and information that helps them feel safe, valued and well in themselves.

In February, children will be learning about Children’s Mental Health Week as part of our Rights Respecting Schools work. We will be talking about how to understand and express feelings, ways to look after our wellbeing, and who to talk to when we need support.

At home:
You can support this learning by talking with your child about how they feel and what helps them feel good about themselves. You might ask:

• How do you know when you are feeling happy, calm, or worried?
• What helps you feel better when you’re upset or stressed?
• Who can you talk to when you need support?
• What do you enjoy doing that helps you feel relaxed or confident?

Talking together about feelings and wellbeing helps children understand themselves and feel supported.

January 2026

Articles 2, 19, 37 and 38

 

 

This month, our Rights Respecting focus is on the following children’s rights:

Article 2 – Every child should be treated equally.
Article 19 – Every child has the right to be protected from harm.
Article 37 – No child should be treated cruelly or unfairly.
Article 38 – Children under 15 should not join the army and should be protected in war.

These rights highlight the importance of safety, fairness and respect, and will be explored throughout the month, with a view to linking discussions to current world affairs and ultimately to Holocaust Memorial Day on Tuesday January 27th. This can be done by reflecting on why it is vital that children’s rights are protected.

December 2025

Articles 2 and 23 - Discrimination and Disability

     

This month we are focusing on International Day of People with Disabilities (3rd December 2025), celebrating inclusion, equality, and respect for everyone.

At school: Classes will explore this in PSHE lessons.
At home: Families can talk about ways to include and support people with disabilities.

What these rights look like at school:

• Everyone is treated fairly and included, no matter ability.

• Children can talk about their families and home life.

• Help and support are available when needed.

• Kindness, listening, and helping each other are encouraged.

• Everyone can take part in activities and celebrate achievements

July 2025

Article 30 - Culture

 

July’s Article of the Month, chosen by our Rights Ambassadors, is Article 30:

Every child has the right to enjoy their own culture, practise their religion, and use their own language.

"We chose this article because it links perfectly with International Week, when each class will be learning about a different country and celebrating its culture, traditions, and language."

At, home, think about:

What can you do to help all children enjoy their right to learn and to use the language, customs and religion of their family even if they are not the majority? Try...

• understanding it is okay to speak your own language with friends and family
• learning about different languages, cultures and religions
• reading books by lots of different kinds of writers from all around the world
• learning about the world through the eyes of different people
• celebrating lots of special events like Burns Night, Chinese New Year, St David’s Day, Carnival
• enjoying food, music and dance from different countries

June 2025

Article 29 -Education

This month, we are focusing on Article 29 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. This article reminds us that education is not just about learning facts – it’s about helping children become the best version of themselves.

Education should help children:

• Develop their talents, personalities and confidence
• Learn to respect other people’s rights, cultures and beliefs
• Understand the importance of caring for the environment
• Get ready to take part in a fair and responsible society

As we near the end of the school year, June is the perfect time to reflect on how much children have grown, not just academically but as kind, respectful and thoughtful individuals. It’s also a great opportunity to look ahead and think about how learning can continue beyond the classroom over the summer.

Link to home:
Parents and carers can support this right at home by encouraging curiosity, celebrating effort, and talking about how we show respect for others and the world around us – every day, in simple ways.

Look out for class discussions, assemblies and activities throughout June that help children understand the true purpose of education – and how it prepares them for life.

May 2025

Article 26 - Social and Economic Help

Every child has the right to help from the government if their family needs support to be healthy, safe, and to have what they need.

• In class:
  We make sure everyone feels included and no one is left out, even if their family finds things difficult. School helps all children to learn and grow.
• At home:
  Families can get help if they are struggling to buy food, clothes, or pay for things they need. This helps children have a safe and happy home.
• Worldwide:
  In every country, children and families should get support if they need it, so all children can have a good life no matter where they live.

April 2025

Article 24 – Health, Water, Food and Environment

This month, we are focusing on Article 24 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which highlights every child's right to clean water, nutritious food, and a safe environment. At school, we support this by encouraging children to stay hydrated, promoting healthy eating, and caring for our surroundings through recycling, reducing waste, and keeping our spaces clean. We also teach children about how looking after the environment plays a key role in protecting this right.

At home, families can help by making small but meaningful choices like saving water, reducing plastic use, and recycling. Encouraging children to eat healthily, spend time outdoors, and understand the importance of caring for the planet all contribute to supporting this right. With Earth Day approaching on April 22nd, it's a great opportunity to talk about how protecting the environment helps ensure a healthier future for everyone.

Our Journey to Silver Accreditation

We are now working towards Silver: Rights Aware, ensuring that:

• Pupils not only learn about rights but see them in action.
• Our school policies, curriculum, and daily life reflect a rights-respecting culture.
• Children have a stronger voice in school and beyond.

How Are We Making a Difference?

At Gidea Park Primary, we:

• Discuss children's rights in lessons and assemblies.
• Encourage pupil voice in decision-making.
• Link rights to learning across subjects.
• Promote fairness, respect, and responsibility in school life.
• Are looking at ways to take part in projects supporting children’s rights locally and globally.

How Can You Get Involved?

We invite our whole school community—children, staff, parents, and carers—to support our journey by:

• Talking about children’s rights at home.
• Encouraging our Core Values in everyday life.
• Participating in school rights-based initiatives.

For more information, visit UNICEF UK.

 

We are excited to continue our journey towards Silver Accreditation, making Gidea Park Primary School a place where every child’s rights are recognised, respected, and celebrated!