Rights Respecting School

At Grinling Gibbons Primary School, we believe that every child has the right to be safe, heard, valued and inspired to succeed. We are proud to hold the UNICEF Rights Respecting Schools Silver Award, which reflects our commitment to embedding the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) throughout school life.

Being a Rights Respecting School means that children’s rights underpin our ethos, values and daily practice. Through our curriculum and wider experiences, pupils learn about their rights, develop empathy and respect for others, and gain the confidence to use their voices positively to influence change.

Our Rights Respecting approach helps to nurture responsible, compassionate and resilient learners who understand their role within an increasingly diverse and interconnected world. It also supports the development of positive wellbeing, strong relationships and a culture of mutual respect, enabling every child to flourish academically, socially and emotionally. To learn more about children’s rights, please visit the UNICEF Rights Respecting Schools website.

What are the Children’s Rights?

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) contains 54 articles that outline the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights that every child is entitled to, regardless of their background, culture or circumstances.

At Grinling Gibbons Primary School, these principles help to shape our approach to teaching, learning and personal development. As a Rights Respecting School, we are committed to creating an environment where every child feels valued, respected and empowered to succeed.

Our Rights Respecting approach has a positive impact across four key areas:

• Wellbeing – children feel happy, supported and confident to be themselves.
• Participation – children are encouraged to share their views and actively contribute to school life.
• Relationships – children develop respectful, positive relationships built on kindness, empathy and understanding.
• Self-esteem – children grow in confidence, recognise their strengths and understand that their voice matters.

As a result, our pupils:

• Feel safe, secure and supported.
• Develop positive attitudes towards learning.
• Build strong and respectful relationships with others.
• Become active, responsible citizens within school and the wider community.
• Understand how they can make a positive difference locally, nationally and globally.

Our commitment to children’s rights is woven throughout our wider school provision. It is closely linked to our School Values, School Rules, Children’s Wellbeing Strategy, Zones of Regulation, and our work as a Race and Conscious Equality Charter Mark Beacon of Excellence School. Together, these initiatives help foster a highly inclusive culture where diversity is celebrated, every voice is valued, and all children are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to flourish both now and in the future.

This holistic approach ensures that children’s rights are not simply learned about but are lived and experienced every day through the ethos, relationships and opportunities that define life at Grinling Gibbons Primary School.