The Rights
The Missional Rights of the Child
Children are a heritage from God (Psalm 127:3) and there is no greater responsibility for missional schools than protecting the needs, interests and value of those we are called to serve. All children should enjoy these missional rights and every adult in school - and adults at home - must work together to protect these rights for young people. Likewise, young people must work towards protecting these rights for one another.
The mission rights of the child must be seen as a whole: all the rights are linked and no right is more important than another. All children’s rights are underpinned by the articles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Rights and Faith
It is deeply Christian to prioritise children's rights:
Children are individuals
Children are neither the possessions of parents, nor of their school, nor state. They are not mere people-in-the-making; children are wonderfully and fearfully created by God and have equal status as members of the human family.
Children start life as totally dependent beings
Children must rely on adults for the nurture and guidance they need to grow towards independence. Such nurture might be found in families and communities – and most certainly must be found at school.
The actions (or inactions) of adults impact children more than others
Almost every area of policy and decision making in our society – and especially in our schools – affects children. Short-term policymaking that fails to take children into account has a negative impact on the future of all members of society.
Children's views should be heard and considered
Children generally get little say in the decisions that most affect them. Without special attention to the opinions of children – as expressed at home and in school, in local communities and nationally – their views go unheard on the many important issues that impact their flourishing.
A broken world impacts children disproportionately
Globalisation, climate change, digitalisation, mass migration and economic inequity all have a strong impact on children and their futures.
The cost to our society of failing children is immeasurable
Kingdom-building on earth is determined by the welfare, wellbeing, learning, faith and contribution of our children.
The Rights
The missional rights of the child occur at the intersections of the school's intentions and purposes. They are:
I have the right to accurate knowledge and information.
I have the right to a broad and purposeful curriculum.
I have the right to my own thoughts and beliefs.
I have the right to independent advice about my future.
I have the right to extra support if I am disabled or have additional learning needs.
I have the right to be as happy and healthy as possible.
I have the right to learn from and spend time with my friends.
I have the right to enriching experiences and play.
I have the right to be safe around adults and other young people.
I have the right to be listened to and taken seriously.
I have the right to be treated fairly and not in a cruel way.
I have the right to keep some things private.