Local school receives prestigious UNICEF award

AVANTI Park School was recently awarded silver in the UNICEF UK Rights Respecting Schools Awards after the school successfully implemented the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), and embed children’s rights in their ethos and culture.

The assessor looked at three strands: teaching and learning about rights, rights through ethos and relationships, and lastly rights through participation, empowerment and action.

The school say, “It certainly is not simply a tick box exercise like some may think!  The work and dedication from pupils and staff to achieve such an accolade took time and is interwoven amongst many of the school’s initiatives, lessons, and projects – some that even impact the parent and wider community.

“The senior lead, Miss Armstrong, was instrumental in gaining this status, by making sure the children were confident in their knowledge of their rights. A group of pupils were interviewed, and the assessor was pleased that children knew rights were for, ‘every child in the world up to the age of 18’.  Pupils knew that not all children were able to exercise their rights, as in children in war torn countries or those affected by natural disasters, these children may not be able to experience all their rights.

“Children learnt about rights through the work of the school council, from posters, subjects such as Personal Social Health Education (PSHE), Religious Education (RE) and the values of the Avanti Way.  Equally staff and parents were kept informed; staff through training workshops and parents and carers via newsletters about the ‘right of the week’.

“The second strand focuses on ethos and relationships, this involves everyone – staff and children. Principal Mrs Atkins, explained how the change, improvement, and growth since becoming part of the Avanti Trust, as well as adopting the child’s rights approach, ‘added a different dimension and depth’.  Furthermore, NSPCC Assemblies and PSHE running a consent week in which children learnt about “boundaries and the power to say no” are not only crucial for pupils, but also a key aspect of the accreditation.

“The last strand of participation, empowerment and action at local and global level clearly is evident within Avanti Park.  The assessor was really pleased to hear a pupil say that rights went beyond the school gates, as they pupil stated that where rights are not respected “it shouldn’t be tolerated.”  Pupils clearly have a voice and have many platforms in which to convey those opinions, such as the school council and the eco council.  Locally children been involved in litter picking groups, sustainability, and multicultural awareness weeks.”

Principal Mrs Atkins said, “We are incredibly proud of the achievement in receiving this award.  Our school’s ethos is rooted in promoting a culture of respect, dignity, and inclusion for all.  The Rights Respecting Schools Award has been an important framework to help us embed these values in our school community, and we are absolutely thrilled!”