Rights Respecting School

At Cheam Park Farm Primary Academy we are very proud to be a ‘Rights Respecting School’ and have achieved our Bronze Award. We are now working hard to achieve the Silver Award.
We promote the rights of the child, and pupil involvement and mutual respect play a big role in the school. A Rights Respecting School not only teaches about children’s rights but also models rights and respect in all relationships.

About The Rights Respecting School Award

The Rights Respecting Schools Award programme (RRSA) is an initiative run by UNICEF which encourages schools to embed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC or CRC) in their practice to improve wellbeing and help all children and young people to realise their potential. The RRSA is based on principles of equality, dignity, respect, non-discrimination and participation.

Find out more about the Award with this link.The UNCRC is an international human rights treaty that sets out the human rights of every person under the age of 18. It recognizes that all children and young people have the right to be treated with dignity and fairness, to be protected, to develop to their full potential and to participate.

RRSA at Cheam Park Farm

Respect for others is one of the school’s key values. Children learn not just that they have rights, but that they need to respect the rights of others, and even challenge injustices for other children. 
You can find the Rights in child-friendly language hereSome of our RRSA Initiatives include:

• Rights Champions Pupil Voice Group 
• Class Charters in each class showing which Rights the class have voted to focus on
• Using the Rights as our code of behaviour
• Fundraising Initiatives to support children locally and globally
• Rights Certificates to promote awareness of the Articles of the CRC and encourage positive and respectful behaviour
• Be the Best You Can Be certificates (Article 29 developing children’s personality and abilities)

Children start their RRSA journey in Nursery, mostly focusing on the right to be safe and the right to learn (Articles 19 and 28). When learning about Children in Need, we also refer to children’s right to healthy food, clean water, clothes and shelter (Article 27). As they progress through the school or children learn more rights along with learning about their responsibilities to others.
The RRSA provides a framework to connect a range of school initiatives which are intended to promote the rights of children, such as Eco Warriors and School Council. Children are encouraged to share their thoughts and ideas on changes that could be made to improve the school, as well as how to support their community. Pupils also learn about becoming global citizens, and realise how fortunate we are to access education and medical care. RRSA supports children to grow into confident, active, global, responsible citizens who strive to reach their full potential.