Here at St Francis' we believe in the ethos and vision of Investing In Children. We attained the Rights Respecting Schools Award in June 2012. Investing In Children focus on work that will improve the rights of children in school but also in the wider community.  They are a not for profit organisation, below is their vision and statement of intent:

"Vision

Children and young people possess the same human rights as the rest of humanity. They will experience a better quality of life if society in general, and the services used by them in particular, recognise and respect these rights.

Purpose

Investing in Children will contribute to the realisation of this vision by working alongside children and young people to:

• Support them in identifying situations in which their rights are being ignored, and to campaign for improvements;

• Encourage them to participate in discussions and decisions that affect them;

• Review and improve the services used by them;

• Forge partnerships and work with other organisations who are committed to developing practice that respects their rights;

• Act as a catalyst for change and innovation by celebrating and publicising positive practice;

• Contribute to local, national and international debate about children’s rights."

You can visit their website by clicking here.

We are working in three ways with Investing in Children: 

Peer Mentoring 

In 2023 we will be deepening the work of the buddies who support pupils wellbeing around school. Miss Mason and Mrs Roche will be training a group of children as Peer Mentors and will be supporting them with their roles.

Seen and Heard History Group

Mrs Lakey and Miss Cooper are planning with Investing in Children ways in which our pupils can contribute to a project where children are researching and presenting information about children through history. All too often the information available is about the adult experiences, thoughts and feelings.  

Investing in Children Membership Award (IiC) is a UK initiative that promotes the human rights of children and young people. The Investing in Children Membership Award™ Scheme recognises and celebrates examples of imaginative and inclusive practice with children and young people. Mrs Lakey will be putting an application together for the award, celebrating all the wonderful examples of child leadership and children's rights we have in school.