We had previously been awarded bronze status in recognition of the awareness raised within our curriculum and ethos as being a ‘Rights Respecting School’.

Aspiring to achieve the Silver Rights Aware Award, Unicef RRSA Professional Adviser Paul Harris spent the day at The Upper Academy. Paul’s visit included meeting with senior teachers, staff and students in a series of lessons and a pupil focus group. Written evidence was provided, outlining how the school fulfilled the criteria to meet the Unicef strands;

“Congratulations to everyone at The Basildon Upper Academy on achieving the Unicef UK’s Rights Respecting Schools Silver Award.  This is in recognition of the school’s commitment to putting the principles and values of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into its everyday practice for its students.  We wish the school continued success with its RRSA journey in helping students learn about their rights and the rights of all children & young people around the world, including the UK.  This will also prepare Basildon Upper Academy students well in becoming informed and active citizens of the next generation to the benefit of their local community and the wider world.” Frances Bestley, Unicef UK RRSA Programme Director

“The achievement of Silver Rights Aware status is a culmination of a lot of hard work from both staff and students in embedding the UNCRC (The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) and respect in general across the Upper Academy. We are the only Secondary School in Essex that holds this award. The next step is to continue the hard work as we look to achieve Gold Rights Respecting status.” Mr Fitten - RRSA Coordinator