Somerset secondary schools achieve UNICEF Bronze Rights Respecting Schools Award! 

In February, the Somerset Safeguarding Children Partnership (SSCP) and Somerset Violence Reduction Partnership (VRP) launched a pilot project with UNICEF UK to offer the Rights Respecting Schools Award (RRSA) to selected secondary schools in Somerset. This initiative aims to improve pupil engagement, relationships, wellbeing, attendance and reduce exclusion by making sure that children’s rights are embedded into the school’s culture. 

Eight secondary schools, including Pyrland School, Wadham C of E Community School, Brymore Academy, The Castle School, Court Fields School, King Arthur’s School, Huish Episcopi Academy, and Bishop Fox’s School have joined the pilot project and are now working together as a supportive network towards becoming Rights Respecting Schools. 

The Bronze Award, also known as “Rights Committed”, is the first step, introducing the three core principles of the RRSA into the school and securing the dedication of the senior leadership team. 

We are incredibly proud to have achieved the Bronze UNICEF Rights Respecting School Award. This recognition reflects our commitment to creating a school environment where every member of our community feels valued, heard, and empowered. At Court Fields, we believe that teaching children and young people about their rights—and the importance of respecting the rights of others – helps build a stronger, kinder community both within and beyond our school gates. We are now excited about our journey to achieving Silver.
Polly Matthews, Headteacher of Court Fields School
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Wadham School shared their pride in working with both UNICEF and the Somerset Safeguarding Children Partnership in pursuit of the Rights Respecting Schools Award and delighted to have achieved the Bronze Award.  

The RRSA Award aligns perfectly with our own vision and culture at Wadham in empowering children to become kind and compassionate global citizens. It’s enabled us to evaluate and consider actions that ensure our students will continue to thrive, and we’re well on our way to achieve our Silver Award in the year ahead.
Sarah Coombe, Deputy Headteacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead at Wadham School
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This is another success story for Wadham and something we know will benefit our students and wider community. Like Sarah, I’m excited to continue this important work and am looking forward to where our student and staff working group will take us next!
Richard Burgas, Headteacher at Wadham School
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With the Bronze Award achieved, both Court Fields School and Wadham C of E Community School are now working towards the second stage – Silver Accreditation, by continuing to ensure that children’s rights are at the heart of everything they do. 

Find out more about the UNICEF RRSA:

The Rights Respecting Schools Award (RRSA), developed by UNICEF UK, recognises schools that place children’s rights at the heart of everything that they do, making sure that children and young people feel valued, respected, and empowered. 

Click here to watch Stuart Whiffin from UNICEF as he discusses the Rights Respecting Schools Award and the launch of this initiative in Somerset at the SSCP Forum Week

For more information on RRSA UNICEF UK visit: The Rights Respecting Schools Award | UNICEF UK 

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