Furthering children’s rights in schools
The Highland Council looks forward to the upcoming Education Committee meeting which will highlight the work being done to further children’s rights in Highland.
Cllr John Finlayson, Education Chair said: “Empowering our children and young people to understand and exercise their rights has been a focus in Highland for many years. We are continually working to establish a culture of respect in all of our educational settings so that, no matter how young our pupils are, they have access to a space where they feel comfortable to share their views and voice. We have over 100 of our schools participating in UNICEF’s Rights Respecting Schools Award programme which shows the importance and reach of this work across the region. I’m looking forward to this week’s Education Committee where we will hear presentations from our Highland Youth Convener and also Aviemore Primary School who achieved their Gold accreditation this year.”
UNICEF’s Rights Respecting School’s Award carries the values that children have a safe space and inspiring place to learn, children are respected, their talents nurtured, and they are able to thrive. The Silver Award recognises that schools have shown good progress in embedding children’s rights in their school. The Gold Award is granted to schools that have fully embedded the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in their practice and ethos.
Nicky Grant, Executive Chief Officer for Education and Learning said: “Our service vision within the Education and Learning Service plan for 2023/24 highlights key priorities in our work to nurture children and young people to give them their best possible start. One focus includes raising attainment and achievement for all, especially for children and young people from disadvantaged circumstances. We are working alongside partners to empower our pupils by developing their leadership skills and building their confidence through valuable opportunities and experiences. Highland schools are involved in a variety of programmes which provide children and young people with clear information on their rights such as UNICEF’s Rights Respecting Schools, My Rights to Wellbeing, Resilient Kids, Mentors for Violence Prevention etc.”
The service has regular engagement with the Highland Youth Parliament to enable their views to be heard and represented. Orla MacLeod, Highland Youth Convener, will provide an update on her Action Plan and the Highland Youth Parliament Conference which took place earlier this year.