How do our students, as members of a UNICEF Gold Rights Respecting School and as global citizens, make sure they treat everyone with respect?

Throughout Cultural Fortnight, students at Clyst Vale Community College have been taking time each day to consider the 9 protected characteristics laid out in the 2010 Equality Act – in the context of famous people who are considered trailblazers in relation to their own protected characteristic.

In particular, students have been looking at these characteristics alongside specified articles in the UN CRC and thinking about diversity issues within our society.

2 UNCRC Articles that have been foregrounded this fortnight are:

• Article 17 – children have a right to Access to Information
• Article 12 – children have a right to Respect for Children’s Views

Both the Equality Act 2010 and the UNCRC are derived from the overarching European Convention on Human Rights.

Each day, students have participated in a diversity-themed assembly in their Tutor Groups, and then at the beginning of their Period 1 lesson, all students have completed a ‘starter’ activity on the same theme.

In addition, there have been special menus in the Clyst Vale canteen, showcasing food from different regions around the world – including European countries such as Spain and Italy. Lunchtime events have included creating Pride flags, mental health affirmations and a bake sale – again, encouraging students to bring in items representing as wide a variety of national specialities possible.

We were pleased with the £150 raised, which we have donated to UNICEF – providing humanitarian support for children in need.

Read more on Clyst Vale’s website: https://www.clystvale.org/2024/01/12/cultural-fortnight/