What Makes Mudeford Junior School a Rights Respecting School?

1. We strongly believe that respecting children’s rights and giving value to their voice, will have a major impact on their development as responsible and valued members of society.

2. What Makes Mudeford Junior School a Rights Respecting School? As a school we…………. • fully support the UNCRC • strive to create an atmosphere where everyone’s rights are respected • constantly use rights respecting language • regularly refer to the articles in the convention ( through everyday life and during lessons) • provide opportunities for the pupil voice to be heard • involve pupils in decision making

3. Article 12 - Children have the right to say what they think should happen when adults are making decisions which affect them, and to have their opinions taken into account These rights have been met in our school through:- • Class charters • Lunchtime charters • Class councils • School council • Head teacher forums • Subject leader forums • Pupil / new teacher interviews

4. Class Charters • Children list their rights • Discussion and agreement of rights • Children think about responsibilities • Discussion and agreement of responsibilities • Class charter is produced and signed • Charter is displayed on notice board • Charter is reviewed regularly

5. Lunchtime Charters Article 31 – All children have a right to relax and play, and to join in a wide range of activities • All the children were involved • Lunchtime supervisors were involved • Together a list of rights was established • Each right was balanced with a responsibility • ‘Rules’ were out – Rights and Responsibilities were in!

6. The School Council * Class councils are held * School councillors meet monthly • Meetings are run by the children (link teacher present) • Various projects are undertaken • Children are involved in fund raising • School community is kept informed by newsletters

7. We subscribe to The Children’s Newspaper • We receive copies every half term • All upper junior children receive their own copy • Newspapers are paid for from funds raised by the children

8. Article 17 – Children have the right to reliable information from the mass media. Television, radio and newspapers should provide information that children can understand. We feel this really important because the rights of children extend beyond the school environment We want to know and understand what is happening in:- • the local community • the global community • We get reliable information about children around the world • We display some stories on our newsboards • Article 17 is displayed with the stories

9. ARTICLE 28 – All children have a right to primary education, which should be free. Wealthy countries should help poorer countries to achieve this. • Our rights in this respect are met. • Not all children are as lucky as us! • Many children in the global community do not go to school. • Others have to pay for their education

10. Thinking of our ‘responsibilities! • We decided to link up with a school in a third world country • We began to compare our lives with theirs • What about their rights? • Time for action!

11. As part of a rich country, we wanted to take action! We decided to sponsor a child ALL ABOUT ESTHER

12. This is where she goes to school

13. The classrooms are very plain

14. She lives with her mother, sister and brother in a single roomed mud hut. They sleep together on one mattress They do not have a toilet, bathroom or kitchen. They cook and wash outside.

15. Most children (including Esther) have to walk a long way to school and they face many dangers on the way

16. Like Esther all these children want to go to school and learn. Esther wants to be a nurse. The sponsorship money we send ensures that she is given her right to an education.

17. Article 12 Children have a right to say what they think should happen when adults are making decisions that affect them………. • head teacher and subject leader forums • new teacher interviews

18. WHAT NEXT? • Our children are beginning to look after their own rights and realise their responsibilities, whilst thinking about the rights of all children in our global community. • We know that today’s children are the citizens of tomorrow. • As adults at Mudeford Juniors we try to lead by example whilst embracing change and new ideas. • We have achieved Level 1 and will continue to work towards level 2 of the Rights Respecting School Award.