On Track Education Northampton is proud to have achieved the UNICEF Rights Respecting School – Silver Award. This recognition reflects our commitment to creating a school environment where children’s rights are understood, respected and embedded throughout school life.
Being a Rights Respecting School means helping students to understand not only their own rights, but also the rights of others. Through this work, students develop confidence, respect, empathy and a stronger understanding of how they can positively influence their school, community and the wider world.
What is the Rights Respecting Schools Award?
The Rights Respecting Schools Award (RRSA) is based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), an international agreement that sets out the rights every child is entitled to.
Children’s rights are woven throughout school life at On Track Northampton and are explored through:
- Lessons and assemblies
- Tutor activities and discussions
- Student voice opportunities
- Awareness events and themed days
- Enrichment activities and fundraising
- Students regularly engage with local and global issues through activities such as Picture News, Newsround and charity events, helping them to develop critical thinking skills and understand different perspectives.
Rights in everyday school life
At On Track Northampton, children’s rights underpin many aspects of school life, including:
- Wellbeing and emotional support
- Safeguarding and safety
- Equality, inclusion and respect
- Student voice and participation
- Learning and future aspirations
- Positive relationships and community involvement
- Our Silver report highlighted the strong relationships within the school, with students describing the environment as respectful, supportive and inclusive. Students also spoke confidently about having a voice and being listened to within the school community.
Student voice and participation
Student voice is a key part of life at On Track Northampton. Students are encouraged to share ideas, contribute to decision-making and help shape the school community.
During the assessment visit, students explained how they had influenced areas of school life, including clubs, activities and aspects of the school environment. The report recognised that students feel heard, empowered and included in decisions that affect them.
Promoting rights through school activities
Throughout the year, students take part in a range of events and awareness activities that link to rights, wellbeing and inclusion. These include charity fundraising, themed awareness days, LGBTQ+ events, community activities and wider discussions around equality, respect and global issues.
Rights Respecting Community
At On Track Education, we are committed to creating school communities where children's rights are understood, respected and embedded in everyday life. Across the organisation, our schools are at different stages of their Rights Respecting journey, with schools having achieved both Bronze and Silver Rights Respecting School Awards and continuing to work towards the Gold Award.
This commitment reflects our belief that every child should feel safe, respected, listened to and empowered to reach their full potential. By embedding the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) throughout school life, we help students develop confidence, empathy, respect for others and the skills they need to become active, responsible citizens.
Our Rights Respecting Journey
The Silver: Rights Aware Award recognises the progress made across the school in embedding children's rights into our ethos, relationships and curriculum. We are proud of the positive impact this work continues to have on our students' wellbeing, confidence and personal development, and we remain committed to progressing our Rights Respecting journey as we work towards achieving the Gold Award.