UNICEF

Rights Respecting School

At St. Oswald’s we are extremely proud to be part of the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child, where every child is valued, cared for and developed to their full potential.

Our aims, values and pledge to the UNCRC awarded us the UNICEF Recognition of Commitment to the Rights Respecting Schools Award. In May 2016 we achieved Gold Award for the second time. We reflect the belief that the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child (CRC) “… gives young people the best chance to grow into respectful, active and resilient citizens.” (Child friendly articles)

What is a Rights Respecting School?

A rights-respecting school places the UNCRC at the heart of a school’s planning, policies, practice and ethos.

A rights-respecting school is a community where children’s rights are learned, taught, practised, respected, protected and promoted. The school community models rights and respect in all its relationships: between teachers / adults and pupils, between adults and between pupils.

All children are taught to appreciate that they are part of a Global Community and that they should take an active part in that community. Each class has a charter and an article linked to it.

Vision and Rights (VAR) leaders

At St. Oswald’s we have UNICEF ambassadors from across each year group, who work hard to help others in the school learn all about the important work of UNICEF. The UNICEF ambassadors have now been appointed and are busy completing a number of tasks throughout the school year. Meetings take place each half term.

Exciting News...

All pupils offered a healthy breakfast at school to ensure they are settled and ready to learn. This relates to Article 27:

You have the right to food, clothing, a safe place to live and to have your basic needs met.

You should not be disadvantaged so that you can’t do many of the things other kids can do.

St Oswald’s CE Primary School is proud to be one of the first schools in England to sign up to the new National School Breakfast Programme (NSBP), funded by the Department for Education and delivered by the charities Family Action and Magic Breakfast.

A healthy breakfast can provide children with the energy and nutrients they need to thrive; increasing alertness, improving behaviour and giving them the motivation to learn. Research, funded by the Education Endowment Foundation and carried out by the Institute for Fiscal Studies, found that Y2 pupils in schools providing a free, nutritious breakfast boosted their reading, writing and maths by an average of 2 months’ progress per year, compared to pupils in schools with no such breakfast provision.

Our aim is to offer playground bagels to all the children, the younger children will have them delivered to their classroom.

OutRight Projects:

Ouright Project Award 2018/19- The children were able to share their concerns with our local MP who came in to school for our special assembly to highlight the impact of air pollution on our health.

OutRight Project celebration assembly

OutRight Project Award 2019/20- The children were able to understand the history of the convention as part of the special events taking place in school to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the UN convention on the Rights of the Child.

Reception - Article 7 class assembly

Year 1 - Article 31 class assembly

Year 2 - Article 28 class assembly

OutRight Project Award 2020/21- This year, OutRight is all about mental health and children’s rights.

Here is a link to some examples of work done in class.

OutRight Project Award 2022/23 - This year we are working to make our voices heard and we aim to raise awareness of the importance of strong health systems, to protect all childrens right to the best possible health.

Reception song about Article 24 -our right to the best possible healthcare. Link here

Here is a link to some examples of work done in class.