Chris Huhne

Chris Celebrates Cherbourg School’s Commitment To UNICEF And The Rights Of The Child

Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne joined pupils at Cherbourg primary school as part of twentieth anniversary celebrations of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Chris is pictured here with Cherbourg pupils and Will Jackson, the UNICEF education adviser, talking about how the school had changed as a result of working with UNICEF on their Rights Respecting Schools Programme. Governors and children talked proudly about the School’s Level 1 award.

Cherbourg is one of nearly a fifth of Hampshire schools that have built the teaching of rights and responsibilities into their curriculum as a way of encouraging caring behaviour among pupils.

UNICEF, which runs the Rights Respecting Schools Awards, says that research has shown that schools that participate in the programme see improved behaviour and attendance, reductions in bullying and exclusions and more tolerant, responsible pupils. The programme began in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Julie Greer, the head teacher at Cherbourg School, said: “The programme is about children understanding that they have rights, but so do other children. It’s a right to have a say, but not necessarily have their way”.

Chris Huhne MP said: “I was very impressed by the understanding that the children had of their ability to make their views known, and that they could give many examples of where the school had taken on board their views.

“Perhaps the most significant was the move to a more leisurely staggered lunch hour where pupils can sit next to their friends and chat. One pupil said that there were fewer pupils at lunch at any one time, but just as much noise because of the conversation!

“What is impressive about this programme is the way children learn to stand up for themselves, but also respect others for their views and opinions. Responsibilities are taught alongside rights” said Mr Huhne.