Citizenship

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is a document containing 54 articles that ALL children regardless of race, religion, gender or background have access to. 

At St. Anne’s School, our first priority is to uphold the convention at all times: From Article 3 that says ‘all adults must do what is best for a child’ to Article 31 that says ‘children should be protected from being unfairly punished or badly treated’, the UNCRC is built into the ethos of the school at every level.

With clear signposting of A Summary Of The UN Convention On The Rights Of The Child and Know Your Rights featured in the school foyer area, anyone visiting our school can see straightaway how important the UNCRC is to our school, our pupils and our staff. The Student Council (2020-2021) continue to work with the Senior Leadership Team and Cleo Thomas, Youth Worker to work towards Silver Award – Rights Respecting Schools. For example, on the door of our medical room you can find Article 24 – you have the right to the best health possible’. All school policies highlight articles relevant to content and our week ‘Thought for the Week’ and staff briefing notes promote a number of articles on a rolling programme to ensure we keep current and focussed on that are children’s rights.

As part of the convention, pupils are aware that they have the right to an opinion (article 12) and for that opinion to be listened to and taken seriously. Therefore, if a pupil has something that they would like to share with an adult, or a concern about something that is bothering them, they know can speak to any adult in the school. Pupils are reminded they can always talk to their Class or Tutor.

Similarly, we would like to hear from adults regarding your opinion of …….. school life? Please contact your child’s Class or Tutor to book a time for discussion. 

The Rights Respecting Schools Award is a prestigious award which recognises a school’s effort to be Rights Respecting. Currently, St. Anne’s School is working towards achieving Silver status which means that pupils are aware of their rights and that the school implements these at every opportunity. Not only are the rights found within individual curriculum areas and lesson plans, the rights make up key school policies such as the Engagement Policy.
 

Our Pupil Council is made up of children and young people across all year groups from Year 2. Our Year 11 Head Pupils: Lottie Dawber and Courteney Benfield, and Deputies, Cara Steven and Hollie Jenkins have campaigned and been voted for by peers and staff to head up the overall Pupil Leadership Team. Year group representatives from years 7-10 were chosen firstly by tutor groups and in a second round of voting by primary classes. All of these pupils are seen as a mouthpiece for the rest of the school community and are keen to collect opinions and bring about change in order to continue making St. Anne’s School a successful, supportive happy society.