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Ethos & Values

A Unicef Rights Respecting School

The Rochester Grammar School is a high-performing secondary which is part of the TSA Trust where diversity is celebrated as we create a safe and inspiring place for children to learn; where their rights are respected and they are able to develop their talents and abilities to their full potential.

We started our RRSA journey in September 2021 and are proud to become the first school within our Trust to achieve the Silver Award in May 2023. We are now working towards achieving our Gold Award.

 

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What is the RRSA ?

The RRSA (Rights Respecting Schools Award) is awarded by Unicef. Unicef is the world’s leading organisation working for children and young people and their rights. In 1989, governments across the world agreed that all children have the same rights by adopting the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). These rights are based on what a child needs to survive, grow, participate and fulfil their potential. The Award recognises achievement in putting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child at the heart of a school’s planning, policies and practice.

What have we done to be a Rights Respecting Committed School?

All children are taught about their rights at the Rochester Grammar School. Rights are the focus each week during form time with key discussion points and reflections activities. We also have a steering group where children come together to discuss their Rights.

We celebrate our diversity as a school community as we endeavour to develop young people who are fully cognisant of their rights whilst respecting the rights of all members of our school community.

We achieved the "Silver: Rights Aware" Award in 2023. The Silver Award is second stage of the RRSA and recognises schools that have shown great progress towards embedding young people’s rights in school practices and ethos.

As we work towards the GOLD accreditation we have:

  • Weekly form assemblies where students use RRSA’s resources to explore the articles from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. These are linked to mental health, online safety, identity or equality and other topics.
  • Planned for each form to create their own Form Charter that encourages children to behave in a 'rights respecting' manner.
  • Established a 'Steering Group' of adults and children who help to drive the programme across the school. This captures the voice of the child and adds to the important jobs our Student Leaders already do.
  • Undertaken staff CPD to secure a commitment from the whole staff to the principles of the RRSA and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
  • Conducted a planning review: We are in the process of reviewing the KS3 curriculum to embed issues and themes of the UN Convention across our subject areas so that the children visit and revisit important concepts throughout their learning journey.