Rights Respecting School Award

UNICEF is the world’s leading organisation working for children and their rights collaborating with schools in the UK.

UNICEF creates 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 (RRSA) embeds these values in daily school life and gives children the best chance to lead happy, healthy lives and to be responsible, active citizens.

This award is granted to schools that show commitment to promoting and realising children’s rights and encouraging adults, children and young people to respect the rights of others in school.

At Cobholm Primary Academy we work very hard to support our children to understand, appreciate and uphold their own rights and that of other children, through discussions, assemblies, use of class charters, campaigns for change and a wide range of activities.

Pupil Leadership Team

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is at the heart of all that we do at Cobholm, and we are proud to be a school that adopts these values and promotes them within our school community. Together young people and the school community learn about children’s rights, putting them into practice every day.

There are four key areas of impact for children at a Rights Respecting school; wellbeing, participation, relationships and self-esteem. The difference that a Rights Respecting School makes goes beyond the school gates, making a positive impact on the whole community. Children;

- Are healthier and happier

- Feel safe

- Have better relationships

- Become active and involved in school life and the wider world.

As part of our Rights Respecting offer, our school has a Pupil Leadership Team led by our head pupils and consists of members from across each year group.

The leadership team also takes on the duties of the Rights Respecting Steering Group. Members are chosen through the powers of democracy, with head pupils having to run an election campaign including an application and a speech to the school community as to why they best represent the school. The team meets regularly to discuss a wide range of school-based issues.

At the meetings the children have the opportunity to express the opinions and voice of their classmates and can give feedback to the senior leadership team on their viewpoints. They are an integral part of the recruitment process and help to shape and design special events such as Children In Need.