The Convention has 54 articles that cover all aspects of a child’s life and set out the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights that all children everywhere are entitled to. It also explains how adults and governments must work together to make sure all children can enjoy all their rights.
Every child has rights “without discrimination of any kind, irrespective of the child’s or his or her parent’s or legal guardian’s race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, property, disability, birth or other status” (Article 2).
The Convention must be seen as a whole: all the rights are linked and no right is more important than another. The right to relax and play (Article 31) and the right to freedom of expression (Article 13) have equal importance as the right to be safe from violence (Article 19) and the right to education (Article 28).
In our schools we work with families and other partners to ensure that we are committed to the rights of each child and young person to:
- be treated with respect by staff and other children and young people
- experience inclusion and the reduction of inequalities
- have the opportunity to achieve and to develop the knowledge, skills and attributes which will enable them to make their way in the world
- be given the opportunity to develop their personality, talents and mental and physical abilities, and improve outcomes by supporting all children and young people to achieve more than anyone ever thought was possible
- be consulted on decisions regarding future learning and on the development and review of school improvements