Birmingham ‘Rights Rangers’ promoting children’s rights
Children across Birmingham schools have been learning all about the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child – and how they can embed these values in their daily school lives.
Working with Unicef, schools are working towards the Rights Respecting School award. So far 191 schools have received training, with 116 achieving their Recognition of Commitment.
Already 28 schools have gained the ‘level one’ award, which recognises the school is promoting knowledge and understanding of the Convention throughout the school community, and that its children are seeing themselves as people who can promote fairness and children’s rights.
Councillor Brigid Jones, cabinet member for children, families and schools, said: “Human, and children’s, rights are fundamental. It is fantastic to see our children so passionate about their rights and respecting others. It is wonderful to go into schools and see how genuinely interested they are to the point where they seem to have absorbed it into their DNA. They are so keen to help others learn about children’s rights and why they are so important. This is the best sorts of long-term safeguarding, and we are committed to supporting every school that wants to take part. Well done to everyone involved.”
Frances Bestley, Unicef UK said: “Unicef’s work in schools is about inspiring, empowering and safeguarding children. Children really benefit knowing that they have a right to food and healthcare, to be safe and protected from harm, to be educated, and importantly that they have a right to be heard and taken seriously. When children know about their rights they also learn to respect the rights of others.
“Yet in the UK not all children are able to enjoy their rights. Our Rights Respecting Schools programme changes that – and children’s lives – by ensuring their rights are taught, understood and lived in schools. We have been working with Birmingham schools to create safe and inspiring places to learn, where children are respected, their talents are nurtured and they are able to thrive. The Rights Respecting Schools award embeds these values in daily school life and helps to keep them happy, healthy and safe.”
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Notes to editors
About Rights Respecting Schools Award
The Unicef UK Rights Respecting Schools Award (RRSA) supports schools across the UK to embed children’s 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 realise their potential. Over 4,000 primary and secondary schools in the UK are involved, reporting a positive impact on behaviour, relationships and well-being, leading to better learning, improved academic standards and a reduction in bullying.
About Unicef UK
Unicef is the world’s leading organisation for children, promoting the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere. Unicef UK raises funds to protect children in danger, transform their lives and build a safer world for tomorrow’s children. As a registered charity we raise funds through donations from individuals, organisations and companies and we lobby and campaign to keep children safe. Unicef UK also runs programmes in schools, hospitals and with local authorities in the UK.
