DORCHESTER RIGHTS, RESPECTING SCHOOLS 12 FEBRUARY 2008

Portchester Community School – Portchester Community School – a Rights, Respecting, International Performing Arts School in Hampshire

PORTCHESTER COMMUNITY SCHOOL Mixed Comprehensive, 96% whiteMixed Comprehensive, 96% white 765 students765 students 11 – 1611 – 16 20% from area of social deprivation20% from area of social deprivation 2.5% physically disabled2.5% physically disabled Specialist School in Performing Arts – especially Music. (Steel Pans, World Music)Specialist School in Performing Arts – especially Music. (Steel Pans, World Music)

PORTCHESTER COMMUNITY SCHOOL Partnerships with BrookfieldPartnerships with Brookfield Linked with four main junior schoolsLinked with four main junior schools 75% of students go on to college,75% of students go on to college, 20% into apprenticeship/employment; 20% into apprenticeship/employment; 5% don’t know (NEET) 5% don’t know (NEET)

How did Portchester Community School become a Rights Respecting School? Strong school policies on: Intercultural Education, Equal Opportunities, InclusionStrong school policies on: Intercultural Education, Equal Opportunities, Inclusion Strong commitment to ensure policies work by Senior Leadership TeamStrong commitment to ensure policies work by Senior Leadership Team Determination that UNICEF Rights of the Child must be part of the curriculumDetermination that UNICEF Rights of the Child must be part of the curriculum Realisation by Senior Leadership Team that RRS process was about changing ethos of school (inward looking to outward looking)Realisation by Senior Leadership Team that RRS process was about changing ethos of school (inward looking to outward looking) RRS gave focus and impetus to the developments in school and beyondRRS gave focus and impetus to the developments in school and beyond

How? Practical Examples Split off from School Council and formed separate R, R & R GroupSplit off from School Council and formed separate R, R & R Group Kept School Council and R, R & R as equal status in schoolKept School Council and R, R & R as equal status in school Built and sustained link with secondary school in South AfricaBuilt and sustained link with secondary school in South Africa Devised training days that involved students from school and junior schoolsDevised training days that involved students from school and junior schools Opened up R, R & R Group to all staffOpened up R, R & R Group to all staff Big important noticeboard in Student ReceptionBig important noticeboard in Student Reception Make Fair Trade Fortnight part of the School CalendarMake Fair Trade Fortnight part of the School Calendar

HOW? Link all assemblies to both ECM and UNICEF ArticlesLink all assemblies to both ECM and UNICEF Articles Report to Year Group Assemblies on Minutes of School Council/R, R & R GroupReport to Year Group Assemblies on Minutes of School Council/R, R & R Group Rotate Chair of School Council and R, R & R GroupsRotate Chair of School Council and R, R & R Groups Invite locally elected Councillors to attend meetings, (ask them what R, R & R means to them)Invite locally elected Councillors to attend meetings, (ask them what R, R & R means to them) Organise training on difference between “wants” and “needs” for Year 7 and 8 (PSHE? Citizenship?)Organise training on difference between “wants” and “needs” for Year 7 and 8 (PSHE? Citizenship?) Make Citizenship a compulsory GCSE in Key Stage 4 (link coursework to UNICEF)Make Citizenship a compulsory GCSE in Key Stage 4 (link coursework to UNICEF)

HOW? Enter competitions which have a social justice agenda (5 boys went to Goa on Linvoy Primus Challenge)Enter competitions which have a social justice agenda (5 boys went to Goa on Linvoy Primus Challenge) Involve the local Youth ServiceInvolve the local Youth Service Involve Local Authority inspectorate for advice, guidance and trainingInvolve Local Authority inspectorate for advice, guidance and training Share your work with other schools and colleges. (Our R, R & R Group are going to South Africa in April to help build a 3-R Group in our Link School)Share your work with other schools and colleges. (Our R, R & R Group are going to South Africa in April to help build a 3-R Group in our Link School)

HOW? Find ways of ensuring key principles are embedded in every learning environmentFind ways of ensuring key principles are embedded in every learning environment Put all the Rights of the Child around the schoolPut all the Rights of the Child around the school Display UNICEF, Christian Aid, Fair Trade, Greenpeace, CAFORD Posters in the Dining HallDisplay UNICEF, Christian Aid, Fair Trade, Greenpeace, CAFORD Posters in the Dining Hall Develop P4C in the schoolDevelop P4C in the school

Find every opportunity to celebrate achievements and encourage/empower others to keep the flame alive. Thank-you for listening