We are a Rights Respecting School
Our school fosters a sense of community, respect and responsibility. It encourages the children to be active and informed citizens, who look to develop a positive future for all; campaigning and raising awareness.
The children’s experiences at St John and St James ensure the children know that they have Rights and that these rights are inalienable.
The children, from year 1 to 6, are elected by their classmates, following submission of a manifesto. Successful candidates are selected by their classmates in a secret ballot. They are in the office for a year and attend regular meetings. They consult with their classmates about issues from the school community to global campaigns. Their contributions play an important role in school improvement and beyond.
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 teachers, adults and pupils. For further information see https://www.unicef.org.uk/rights-respecting-schools/.
As a school we have chosen to focus particularly on the following rights:
- Article 31 – Every child has the right to relax, rest and play.
- Article 12 – Every Child has the right to give their opinion and for an adult to listen and take it seriously.
- Article 14 – Every child has the right to choose their own religion and beliefs.
- Article 19 – Every child has the right to be protected from being hurt and mistreated, in body or in mind.
- Article 24 – Every child has the right to the best health care possible, safe water to drink, nutritious food and a clean and safe environment.
- Article 28 – Every child has the right to a good quality education.
- Article 29 – Every child has the right to use and develop their talents and abilities.