Rights Respecting - Horizons Specialist Academy Trust
Green Gates Academy is a 'Gold' Rights Respecting School
What is ‘’The Rights Respecting Schools Award”?
The Rights Respecting Schools Award (RRSA) recognises achievement in putting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) at the heart of a school’s planning, policies, practice and ethos. A rights-respecting school not only teaches about children’s rights but also models rights and respect in all its relationships: between pupils and adult, between adults and between pupils.
The UNICEF UK Rights Respecting School’s Award (RRSA) is based on principles of equality, dignity, respect, non-discrimination and participation.
The RRSA seeks to put the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child at the heart of a school’s ethos and culture to improve well-being and develop every child’s talents and abilities to their full potential. A rights-respecting school is a community where children’s rights are learned, taught, practised, respected, protected and promoted. Young people and the school community learn about children’s rights by putting them into practice every day.
On 10th November 2020 two assessors virtually visited Green Gates for our Gold assessment. We were extremely privileged to share all of the work the children and adults complete at Green Gates.
Here are a few of the highlights from the report:
- It was evident that children’s rights are embedded across the school and are present in every facet of school life
- Children’s rights are an integral part of school life
- Children were aware that each child had their own individual needs and that different approaches were needed according to these needs.
- Supported by passionate and committed adults, it is clear that the pupils of Green Gates Academy are ready and willing to make an impact on the world around them
- An excellent level of rights knowledge shown by pupils, including key rights concepts.
- A passionate and driven senior leadership team committed to using a rights-based approach in order to give pupils the best chance of success.
- The emphasis placed on listening to the views of children, appreciating the benefits for both the child and the school.
If you would like a copy of the full report, please contact the school or click the link below.
Gold Award Report
Currently, the school council and Rights Respecting ambassadors work alongside one another to develop the school and present their ideas during school council meetings.
We are pleased to report that recently we have ensured that all children are able to keep healthy and play (Article 31) with the installation of more gym equipment outside, which the children have already been making the most of.
World’s Largest Lesson
Each year, Green Gates takes part in the World’s Largest Lesson. The lessons are all focussed around the Sustainable Development Goals, so that children can contribute to a better future for all. From citizenship and justice to climate change and the environment, we hope to inspire the children of Green Gates to make a difference.
In 2020, the children looked at how they could change their habits in order to prevent climate change. Children pledged everything from saving energy by turning their lights off when leaving a room to reusing plastic bags to encouraging adults at home to recycle.
OutRight
OutRight happens every year and coincides with World Children’s Day (20th November). The aim of OutRight is to ensure that young people’s voices are heard by decision makers. Previously we have sent letters to the Prime Minister, Local MPs and even the Queen on matters such as air pollution and the rights of refugee children.