Rights Respecting School

In 2017 Ysgol Gynradd Cymreg Calon Y Cymoedd formerly known as Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Cwm Garw became a Rights Respecting School. As part of our wellbeing work, this new project was developed across the school. As a Rights Respecting school we ensure that the children are taught about their rights, have a voice and are involved in school developments. We have a committee, which involves staff, parents, pupils and governors.

Unicef states that “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”

What is the RRS Award?

“The UNICEF UK Rights Respecting Schools Award (RRSA) supports schools across the UK to embed children’s human rights in their ethos and culture. The award recognises achievement in putting the UN Convention on the Right of the Child (UNCRC) at the heart of a school’s practice to improve well-being and help all children realise their potential. The award is based on principles of equality, dignity, respect, non-discrimination and participation. The initiative started in 2006 and schools involved in the Award have reported a positive impact on relationships and well-being, leading to better learning and behaviour, improved academic standards and less bullying.”

There are three levels to the Rights Respecting School Award

Bronze: Rights Committed

Silver: Rights Aware

Gold: Rights Respecting

In 2018 we achieved our Silver: Rights aware award and are actively working towards Gold: Rights Respecting.

Learn more here.

Children's Rights Vocabulary

1. Duty Bearers: These are all the people whose responsibility it is to make sure children’s rights are respected. This starts with the government but also includes parents and all school staff.
2. Equity: The concept that every child deserves to have the support they need to succeed and that this support will look different for each child.
3. Dignity: The way in which all children should be treated at all times
4. ABCDE of Rights.

What are the ABCDE of Rights?

• A: Rights are for all children (universal)
• B: Rights are there at birth (inherent)
• C: Rights cannot be taken away (inalienable)
• D: Rights do not have to be earnt (unconditional)
• E: All rights are equally important? (indivisible)

What is the UNCRC?

UNCRC stand for the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child

The UNCRC is a legally binding international agreement setting out the civil, social, economic, cultural, political rights of every child. This is regardless of their race, religion or abilities. The UNCRC has 54 articles this covers all aspects of a child’s life 42 of these are the rights of the child and the remainder are how governments and adults should work together to make sure children and young people can access their rights.

Super Ambassadors

Super Ambassadors is a scheme from the Children’s Commissioner for Wales that aims to promote rights and the UNCRC in Primary Schools. The Super Ambassadors have 3 jobs which are to:

• Inform other pupils in their school about the Commissioner and her powers
• Make sure other pupils know about about children’s rights under the UNCRC.
• Do special missions for the Commissioner in their school – these inform the work of our office and have a real impact on our work and on children’s rights in Wales

Right of the Month

Every month we focus on an article and set a Right of the Month Challenge for the children to do at home. Children who take part receive a certificate.  Below is the link to the page where our Right of the Month and Challenge is set. Take a look!

Class Charters

Every class has a right's charter that will be updated every academic year.  The children and class teacher choose which rights are important to them and display them, along with this the rights calandar for the year and the right of the month will be displayed. Our school mascot Heulwen Hawliau is also featured on all charters. 

According to Unicef "A charter not only provides an opportunity to learn about specific articles from the CRC, but helps to establish and build shared values and relationships for creating a rights respecting ethos in the classroom and across a school context"

Below is the school charter that is displayed in our school hall.

Useful Websites 

For more information on our RRS work, please talk to Miss Kirsty Thomas our RRS co-ordinator.