Embedding Children’s Rights at South Bank Primary School

As many of you know, since 2018 South Bank Primary School has been on a purposeful journey to embed the rights of children as outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into the very heart of our school community. Our commitment is to ensure that every pupil’s rights are respected, protected, and upheld by every member of our school family.

We have drawn inspiration from UNICEF UK’s Rights Respecting Schools programme to create a safe, inclusive, and inspiring environment where all children—especially given our diverse community with 55% PPG, 27% EAL, and 32% SEND—can thrive. Our approach aligns closely with our vision to nurture individuality and enhance potential, enabling lifelong learning and active citizenship.

Our Rights Respecting Approach at South Bank

Our Rights Respecting Schools ethos is embedded in everything we do:

• Teaching and Learning ABOUT Rights: Pupils, staff, and families learn about children’s rights through assemblies, curriculum content, class charters, and whole-school displays. This shared understanding supports wellbeing, inclusion, and global awareness.
• Teaching and Learning THROUGH Rights: We model rights-respecting language and attitudes in all relationships and decisions, fostering a community rooted in equality, dignity, respect, and non-discrimination. This nurtures a positive culture aligned with our core values of Curiosity, Resilience, Compassion, and Responsibility.
• Teaching and Learning FOR Rights: Pupils are empowered to exercise their rights and advocate for the rights of others locally and globally. Our leadership and governance structures ensure accountability to uphold these rights in all school policies and practises.

Rights and Responsibilities in Our School Community

At South Bank, we recognise children as rights holders and adults, including school leaders and governors, as duty bearers committed to safeguarding these rights. We embed the four general principles of the UNCRC—non-discrimination, best interests of the child, survival and development, and respect for the views of the child—across our curriculum and pastoral care.

Our pupils understand that these rights are universal and enduring, extending beyond childhood and enshrined in international humanitarian law. This awareness supports their development as responsible, respectful, and active citizens, prepared for their next phase of education and life.

Our Rights Respecting Journey and Impact

Since beginning this journey, we have:

• Embedded children’s rights in school policies and decision-making, ensuring that safeguarding, inclusion, and wellbeing are central to our work.
• Established pupil voice forums such as the Rights Respecting Steering Group and ‘Tea with Me’ meetings, where children’s views shape school improvement.
• Engaged in global campaigns, raising awareness of issues such as climate change and its impact on children’s rights, mirroring our commitment to sustainable development.
• Celebrated achievements that demonstrate our pupils’ commitment to rights, compassion, and community action, reflecting our school values in practice.

Looking Ahead at South Bank

As we continue our school improvement journey following our recent Ofsted inspection, we remain committed to strengthening the integration of children’s rights into all aspects of school life. This includes:

• Further embedding rights-based approaches in curriculum planning and assessment to enhance teaching and learning.
• Ensuring all staff understand their role as duty bearers in upholding rights, particularly for pupils with SEND and those facing barriers to attendance and engagement.
• Developing our personal development curriculum to promote equality, resilience, mental health, and active citizenship in line with the UNCRC principles.
• Continuing to listen to and act on pupil voice to refine our strategic priorities and foster a truly inclusive, respectful school community.

A Community Commitment

We are proud that South Bank Primary School embodies the spirit of the Rights Respecting Schools approach. This is a shared achievement of our pupils, staff, governors, and wider community who work tirelessly to ensure that every child’s rights are at the centre of our school’s mission.

Together, we are creating a school where children learn, grow, and flourish with the confidence and skills to take on the world—living our values of Curiosity, Resilience, Individuality, Compassion, Responsibility, and Growth every day