St Augustine’s is working with UNICEF on their Rights Respecting Awards programme for schools. Using the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) UNICEF works with schools across the country. The Award recognises a school’s achievement in putting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child into practice within the school and beyond.

UNICEF works with schools to create safe and inspiring places to learn, where children are respected, their talents are nurtured and they are able to thrive. The Rights Respecting Schools Award embeds these values in daily school life and gives children the best chance to lead happy, healthy lives and to be responsible, active citizens.

Article 5 (parental guidance and a child’s evolving capacities): Governments must respect the rights and responsibilities of parents and carers to provide guidance and direction to their child as they grow up, so that they fully enjoy their rights. This must be done in a way that recognises the child’s increasing capacity to make their own choices.

Article 18 (parental responsibilities and state assistance): Both parents (or legal guardians) share responsibility for bringing up their child and parents and carers should always consider what is best for the child. Governments must support parents and legal carers by creating support services for children and giving parents the help they need to raise their children.