The Portsmouth Academy is part of the Thinking Schools Academy Trust and shares a commitment “to provide an outstanding school with an ethos of excellence and high expectations”. It is with this mentality that the school made the decision to embark upon the Rights Respecting School Award (RRSA) in September. The RRSA involves young people and the school community in learning about children’s rights and how to put them into practice daily. ‘Rights Respecting’ is not only about what children do but also what adults do.
The journey started by informing members of staff and parents about the ambition to become a Rights Respecting School and all that it entails. The academy has now added the value of ‘Respect’ to the school’s core values. This empowers students to have a daily positive impact upon those in their immediate community.
A steering Group of students and staff members has formed to educate the school community about personal rights and the rights of others, so that students are empowered to become active and responsible citizens.
The school’s Principal, Rachel Grey, says;
“I am excited about our journey to be recognised as a Rights Respecting School. The ethos behind the award reflects what we aim for at The Portsmouth Academy each day and I am proud that students and staff are working hard on this to ensure everyone in our school community plays their part as active citizens in Portsmouth, and beyond.”
The Bronze award recognises that The Portsmouth Academy is Rights: Committed and, as the first stage of the RRSA, has built a foundation for the school to continue their journey towards Silver: Rights Aware.
To work towards the Silver Award, the school will ensure The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) underpins their values and decision making. The whole school will learn about the CRC and how the articles can be exemplified in all areas by promoting knowledge and understanding of the Convention throughout the school community. The school will empower the young people within their community to see themselves as rights respecting global citizens and will instil advocacy for fairness and children’s rights within the school community, locally and globally.
For more information about Unicef UK’s Rights Respecting Schools Award, please visit www.unicef.org.uk/rrsa