Marsh Nursery and Infant School are a Rights Respecting School. In 2011 we worked extremely hard to achieve the Level 1 award showing our commitment to educate the children and staff in the rights of
a child. Being a Rights Respecting School is an approach created by UNICEF based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).
Why are children learning about their rights at school?
In signing the UNCRC all Governments have a responsibility to make both children and adults aware of these rights. There are 42 rights of a child (articles) in the convention covering things such as;
children having the right to education (article 27) and children have the right to be protected at all times (article 19). Schools are the best place to reach the vast majority of children.
What is meant by ‘rights’?
These are not the same as ‘wants’. Rights are the basic human needs and values that apply or should apply to everyone.
Does the UNCRC talk about responsibilities?
Yes, with rights come responsibilities. These include:
For children: the responsibility to respect the rights of others.
For parents: to respect and provide for the rights of their children.
For governments: to support families and to respect and provide for the rights of children.
How does teaching about children's rights fit in with the curriculum at Marsh Infant School?
The teaching of rights lends itself incredibly well to many subject areas: Literacy, History, Geography, R.E, Science and of course PSHE.
What about children's respect for the rights of others?
Research has shown that when children are taught in school about their rights and responsibilities under the UNCRC, they are more respecting of the rights of others.
Children who have learnt about their rights show:
- A better understanding of what it means to have rights and responsibilities
- More positive attitudes to school
- Better relationships with their classmates and teachers
- Higher self-esteem
How can parents support their child to learn about the Convention at home?
- Take the time to ask your child what he/she has learned recently regarding children’s rights and responsibilities.
- Discuss the ideas learned in class, and try to think of examples from your own experiences, or from the media, of rights being respected or denied.
- Discuss how your child or your family can promote respect for rights, or help those whose rights have been violated.
- Ask your child’s opinion on children’s rights.
As with most things, the learning of rights, respect, and responsibility begins at home. Children often learn what they see and hear. By becoming involved in your child’s learning and showing an interest
in who he/she is and what he/she is doing, you help your child to learn the importance of giving and sharing with others.