--- title: "Rights Respecting Schools Award (RRSA)" url: "https://www.themeadows.sandwell.sch.uk/curriculumandteaching/rights-respecting-schools-award-rrsa" school: "The Meadows School" --- [![The Meadows School](https://files.schudio.com/the-meadows-sports-college/images/logo/logo(1).png)](https://www.themeadows.sandwell.sch.uk/) - - [X](https://twitter.com/TheMeadowsTMS) - [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOYG4XlfiMDaxN2O6TgWEBg/) A− A+ - [Term Dates](https://www.themeadows.sandwell.sch.uk/termdates) - [Contact us](https://www.themeadows.sandwell.sch.uk/contact) - - [Home](https://www.themeadows.sandwell.sch.uk/) - [Our School](https://www.themeadows.sandwell.sch.uk/about-us) - [Information](https://www.themeadows.sandwell.sch.uk/information) - [News](https://www.themeadows.sandwell.sch.uk/news) - [Careers](https://www.themeadows.sandwell.sch.uk/careers) - [Curriculum and Teaching](https://www.themeadows.sandwell.sch.uk/curriculumandteaching/curriculum-overview) - [Families](https://www.themeadows.sandwell.sch.uk/families) - [Staff Area](https://www.themeadows.sandwell.sch.uk/staff) - [Contact Us](https://www.themeadows.sandwell.sch.uk/contact) # Rights Respecting Schools Award (RRSA) **Rights Respecting School Award (RRSA)** ![](https://www.themeadows.sandwell.sch.uk/images/pages/308a32c996af83feecc4864dadc45b4d.png) At the Meadows School we are proud to be working towards the UNICEF Rights Respecting School Award, which places the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) at the heart of our school community. We believe that every child has the right to feel safe, valued and heard. Through a carefully adapted, inclusive approach, we help our learners understand their rights and the responsibilities that come with them. By embedding these principles into our curriculum, relationships and school culture, we promote respect, equality and a strong sense of belonging for all. Our learners are supported to express themselves, make choices and take part in decisions that affect them, building confidence and preparing them for life beyond school. ![](https://www.themeadows.sandwell.sch.uk/images/pages/cdca13e6f90a38a6715c0688b56baabf.png) We are a **Bronze UNICEF Rights Respecting School**, and we will soon be working towards achieving the Silver Award. We are embedding further the UN Convention on the Rights of the Children (UNCRC) within our whole school ethos. **What is the UNCRC?** In 1989, UNICEF introduced the **United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)**—a set of 54 Articles that define and protect the rights of every child under the age of 18. These rights apply to all children, regardless of their ethnicity, gender, religion, language, abilities, opinions, or family background. Almost every country in the world has signed the Convention, committing to uphold these rights and to do everything possible to protect and promote them. The UNCRC forms the foundation of all UNICEF’s work across the globe. The Convention recognises that all children and young people have the right to be treated with dignity and fairness, to be kept safe, to reach their full potential, and to have a voice in matters that affect them. Adults—referred to as duty bearers—have the responsibility to ensure these rights are respected and fulfilled. **What is the Rights Respecting School Award (RRSA)?** The Rights Respecting School Award (RRSA) is a UNICEF initiative that helps schools embed the principles of the UNCRC into their ethos and daily practice. It promotes a whole-school approach to children's rights and human rights education. A Rights Respecting School is one where children’s rights are understood, taught, practised, respected, protected, and actively promoted by all members of the school community. The RRSA complements our School Values, supports British Values, and strengthens the work we do to promote equality, respect, and active citizenship. At the Meadows School, our named RRSA Lead is **Pamela Meddings (Social and Emotional Development Lead)**. Our RRSA Lead coordinates the school’s work towards achieving the award by promoting awareness of children’s rights, supporting staff training, and ensuring that the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child are embedded within school policy, practice and culture. You may access a child-friendly version of the Convention on the Rights of the Child below: [![](https://www.themeadows.sandwell.sch.uk/images/pages/369db718039fbe883c90781e42cec8b7.png)](https://www.unicef.org/child-rights-convention/convention-text-childrens-version) For further information on the Rights Respecting Schools Award please visit the RRSA website (****) **RRSA Article of the Month - Article 15 - Freedom of Association** Every child has the right to meet with other children and to join groups and organisations, as long as this does not stop other people from enjoying their rights. Article 15 is about the right of association which is having the opportunity to gather with others for different purposes. ![Article 15](https://www.themeadows.sandwell.sch.uk/images/images/Screenshot_2026-03-09_161807.png) **Parent/Carer Workshops Parent Carer Workshop 2.61 MB [Open for printing](https://files.schudio.com/the-meadows-sports-college/files/documents/Parent_Carer_workshop.pptx) [Embedded content](https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/embed.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Ffiles.schudio.com%2Fthe-meadows-sports-college%2Ffiles%2Fdocuments%2FParent_Carer_workshop.pptx)** ### Curriculum and Teaching - [Curriculum Overview](https://www.themeadows.sandwell.sch.uk/curriculumandteaching/curriculum-overview) - [Pathway Overview](https://www.themeadows.sandwell.sch.uk/curriculumandteaching/pathway-overview) - [Curriculum Bubbles Overview](https://www.themeadows.sandwell.sch.uk/curriculumandteaching/curriculum-bubbles-overview) - [PHSE and RSHE](https://www.themeadows.sandwell.sch.uk/curriculumandteaching/pshe-rhse) - [Religious Education](https://www.themeadows.sandwell.sch.uk/curriculumandteaching/religious-education-re) - [Rights Respecting Schools Award (RRSA)](https://www.themeadows.sandwell.sch.uk/curriculumandteaching/rights-respecting-schools-award-rrsa) - [SMSC, British Values & Cultural Capital](https://www.themeadows.sandwell.sch.uk/curriculumandteaching/smsc-british-values-cultural-captial) - [Phonics and Reading](https://www.themeadows.sandwell.sch.uk/curriculumandteaching/phonics-reading) - [Achievement at the Meadows](https://www.themeadows.sandwell.sch.uk/curriculumandteaching/achievement-at-the-meadows) - [Continuing Professional Development (CPD)](https://www.themeadows.sandwell.sch.uk/curriculumandteaching/continuing-professional-development) - [Multi Agency Collaboration](https://www.themeadows.sandwell.sch.uk/curriculumandteaching/multi-agency-collaboration) - [Supporting Learning for Pupils Unable to Attend School](https://www.themeadows.sandwell.sch.uk/curriculumandteaching/supporting-learning-for-pupils-unable-to-attend-school) - [Equality and Protected Characteristics](https://www.themeadows.sandwell.sch.uk/curriculumandteaching/equality-protected-characteristics) ### Useful Links - [Sandwell MBC](http://www.sandwell.gov.uk/) - [Special Educational Needs Magazine](http://www.senmagazine.co.uk/) - [Special Educational Needs Resources (TES)](https://www.tes.co.uk/teaching-resources-hub/special-educational-needs/) - [Hft – Supporting people with learning disabilities and their families](http://www.hft.org.uk/) - [Educate Against Hate](http://www.educateagainsthate.com/) - [Prevent Duty](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/protecting-children-from-radicalisation-the-prevent-duty) ### Contact Us **The Meadows School** Dudley Road East Oldbury Sandwell B69 3BU Tel: 0121 569 7080 School & Trust Websites by [ ![Schudio logo](https://www.themeadows.sandwell.sch.uk/img/logo/light.png) ](https://www.schudio.com/) - [X](https://twitter.com/TheMeadowsTMS) - [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOYG4XlfiMDaxN2O6TgWEBg/) © Copyright 2016–2026 The Meadows School. 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