Children's Rights

Emma Bunton was left feeling inspired after a recent visit to a Unicef UK Rights Respecting School, learning about the importance of children's rights from some of the George Spicer Primary School pupils themselves.

The school is at gold award level of the Unicef Rights Respecting programme, which educates children on their rights as part of the United Nations Convention and upholds their rights in school.

The initiative is just one of the Unicef UK education programmes that players of People's Postcode Lottery support - with players raising more than £6.8 Million for the charity. As well as providing quality education for children in the UK, this funding also helps the charity deal with emergencies around the world.

World Children's Day celebrates the power of children to change the world, with this year marking the 30th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

During her visit, Emma was given a tour of the school by three pupils from the school's Rights Respecting children's council who shared some of the ways they learn about their rights. This included a map which promoting respect for all, regardless of where they or their family are from. This links to Article two of the convention, 'non-discrimination', which states that the convention applies to every child, "whatever their ethnicity, gender, religion, language, abilities or any other status, whatever they think or say, whatever their family background."

Emma then joined the children in some fun activities which further explored the theme of rights, including a game exploring self-worth and a guessing game looking at some of the individual rights such as the right to play and the right to freedom of expression.

Emma said: "It's been amazing to spend time with the children and to see how engaged and passionate they are learning about their rights - from the right to play to the right to have healthy food. It's something all children deserve and it's so important that we as parents, caregivers and teachers encourage and support these fundamental rights."

Sanjay Singh, senior programmes manager at People's Postcode Lottery, said: "We are proud to be supporting Unicef. Over the past two years our players have raised more than £6.8 million, which has helped to provide quality education for children in emergencies around the world, as well as here in the UK."

Frances Bestley, programme director for Rights Respecting Schools at Unicef UK, added: "We would like to thank the players of People's Postcode Lottery for their support, which helps us to work with schools across the UK to create safe and inspiring places to learn, where children are respected, their talents are nurtured and they are able to thrive.

"Our Rights Respecting Schools Award embeds these values in daily school life and gives children the best chance to lead happy, healthy lives and to be responsible, active citizens."