the rochester grammar school
Kent
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 have achieved the Bronze Right Respecting School
Award (RRSA) and are now working towards achieving our Silver Award. 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. 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. As we work towards the SILVER 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.
