Hayfield SchoolHayfield is a Rights Respecting School
Hayfield is a Rights Respecting School. This UNICEF 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 mantaining relationships between teachers, parents and pupils.
Rights and Responsibilities at Hayfield
The children learn about their rights and responsibilities, and everyone is included. They learn that we all need to respect the rights of others and that if we all work together we can make a better school for everyone.
What are children’s rights?
All human beings – adults and children alike – are entitled to basic human rights. Children have a particular set of rights due to their vulnerability and need for protection. The UNCRC sets out the rights that must be realised for children to develop to their full potential, free from hunger and want, neglect and abuse. These rights are not something that Children need to learn or that adults and governments can take away as a punishment.
What does the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child say?
There are 42 articles in the Convention, but they can be summed up as follows
- The right to a childhood
Every child has the right to a safe childhood, protected from violence, abuse and exploitation. Every child has the right to grow up in a family environment, free from adult responsibilities and with the right to play.
- The right to an education
Every child has the right to an education that develops their personality, talents and abilities to the full.
- The right to be healthy
Every child has the right to health care, clean water, nutritious food and a safe environment so they can be as healthy as possible.
- The right to be treated fairly
All children have the same rights whatever their ethnicity, gender, religion, abilities, whatever they think or say and whatever their family background.
In line with the UN Convention, we believe and strive to achieve the folliowing:
- Every child has the right to an education which should develop his or her personality and talents to the full
- Every child has the right to have his or her voice heard which includes considering their views
- Every child has the right to a childhood which includes protection from harm
- Every child has the right to be treated fairly
As children learn to understand and relate their rights to their own lives and experiences, they are also encouraged and supported to understand that there are also implied responsibilities.
Article 29 is particularly important for schools:
Article 29: Education must develop every child’s personality, talents and abilities to the full. It must encourage the child’s respect for human rights, as well as respect for their parents, their own and other cultures, and the environment.