Stimulus/Rationale:
UNICEF UKs Rights Respecting Schools Award puts children’s rights at the heart of a schools work, recognising schools that are able to embed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child into the practice and ethos of the school environment, curriculum and beyond.
A rights-based school is based on equality and respect for all, where children and adults consider rights as belonging to each person across the world. The recognition and respect for the wider world and its diversity that is fostered is inextricably linked to a Rights Respecting School as one that embeds an Intercultural Curriculum that respects the beliefs, heritage, knowledge and ability of each child. Recognising children as rights bearers enables schools to give each child the best chance to lead healthy, happy lives and to be active, responsible citizens.
Process:
In 2014, Swansea Council and UNICEF UK embarked on partnership contract to support all schools in Swansea to engage in the Rights Respecting Schools Award. This includes undertaking training to understand the UNCRC and its practical application in an education environment, support to promote and teach children’s rights to children, staff and the wider school community across all areas of the curriculum and being assessed at two different levels to evidence that a rights based approach has been developed 1) in school and 2) across the wider school community, e.g. with parents and other community stake holders.
As of March 2018, this was achieved with 100% of Primary and Secondary Schools in the City achieving engaged status.
Work continued to develop a sustainable, free model that can support schools to maintain and build on their commitment, supporting each of them to progress through the Award with the ultimate goal of all schools in Swansea reaching GOLD status.
In Swansea a partnership agreement between UNICEF UK and Swansea Council was only the beginning. Embedding children’s rights across schools to the extent that it has been done, required cross-sector support and commitment including health, and third sector organisations as well as parents, carers, community members and children and young people.
The commitment to Rights Respecting schools has been fortified by Swansea Council’s formal policy commitment to putting children’s rights at the heart of its work though it Children and Young People’s Rights Scheme.
Impact:
In Swansea Council’s progress report on its children and young people’s rights scheme from 2023, it is noted that strong Children’s Rights foundations were created within schools through the UNICEF contract to deliver “Rights Respecting Schools. Many schools now embrace the principles that underpin the work of the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and as a result have shared confidence when transitioning to the new curriculum that sees children’s rights embedded within day-to-day practise. School leaders have been using this knowledge to plan worthwhile activities that aim to further support the rights of children.
Key reference documents:
Swansea Council, Children & Young People’s Rights Scheme Progress Report, 2021-2023
