Rights Respecting Schools

We teach our students about their Rights at Washwood Heath Academy

Rights Respecting School (RRSA) – Gold Award

At Washwood Heath Academy, we are proud to be a UNICEF Rights Respecting School (Gold Award), successfully re-accredited in October 2026. This recognises our sustained commitment to placing the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) at the heart of everything we do across our all-through school.

Being a Rights Respecting School means that children’s rights are not an add-on, but are embedded within our culture, curriculum and daily practice. Pupils develop a strong understanding of their rights and the responsibilities that come with them, enabling them to become respectful, informed and active members of society.

Rights Across the Curriculum and School Life

Children’s rights are explicitly taught and revisited through our Personal Development curriculum, including PSHE, and are reinforced through:

• A carefully sequenced assembly programme
• Weekly form time sessions
• The wider curriculum across subjects
• Educational visits, themed days and enrichment opportunities

This ensures a spiralling approach, where pupils deepen their understanding of rights as they move through the school.

Rights-respecting language and behaviour are embedded within our policies, systems and everyday interactions, promoting dignity, fairness and mutual respect across the school community.

Living and Experiencing Rights

We place a strong emphasis on pupils not only learning about their rights, but actively experiencing them in practice.

• Article 2 (Non-discrimination) is a key principle underpinning our inclusive culture. All pupils are treated equally, and this is reinforced through our Anti-Bullying Pledge and our commitment to the White Ribbon Pledge, which promote respect, challenge discrimination and ensure that all members of our community feel safe and valued.
• Article 31 (Leisure, play and culture) is promoted through our extensive enrichment programme, ensuring all pupils have access to a wide range of opportunities beyond the classroom. Participation is tracked through our Pupil Experience Tracker to ensure equity and inclusion.
• Article 29 (Goals of education) is supported through our comprehensive careers programme, which helps pupils to develop their talents, aspirations and future pathways. This is further captured through Character Folders, where pupils reflect on their experiences, skills and personal development over time.

Our Values and Ethos

Our commitment to children’s rights is closely aligned with our school ethos of HEARTS (Happiness, Excellence, Achievement, Respect, Tolerance and Self-Belief) and our Trust vision of developing contributing, articulate, discerning, happy and healthy citizens.

Through this, pupils are encouraged to:

• Respect the rights of others
• Contribute positively to their community
• Develop their voice and confidence
• Make informed and responsible decisions

A Whole-School Commitment

At Washwood Heath Academy, all staff act as duty bearers, ensuring that the rights of every child are upheld. Our pupils play an active role in shaping our rights-respecting culture through student leadership and pupil voice opportunities.

This shared commitment ensures that our school is a place where:

• Every child feels safe, valued and respected
• Diversity is celebrated
• Rights are understood, taught and lived

Preparing Pupils for the Future

Our Rights Respecting approach supports pupils to develop the knowledge, skills and values needed to thrive in modern Britain and beyond. It prepares them not only for academic success, but to become responsible, compassionate and active global citizens.

To see the Convention, please click here to see it on the UNICEF UK website.