Teaching children about rights has a profound effect on schools

Date: 5th November 2010
Category: General measures of implementation, Education, Leisure and Cultural Activities, Civil Rights and Freedoms

Teaching children about their rights can reduce exclusions and bullying, improve behaviour and teacher-pupil relationships, raise attainment and make for more mature, responsible students according to new research published by UNICEF UK.

This evidence is highlighted in a three year qualitative study of UNICEF UK's Rights Respecting School Award (RRSA), undertaken by researchers at the Universities of Sussex and Brighton.

UNICEF UK's Rights Respecting School Award recognises achievement in putting children's rights at the heart of all of a school's planning, policies, practices and ethos. The aim of the evaluation was to assess the impact of the initiative on the well-being and achievement of children in 31 schools participating in RRSA across English Local Authorities.

• Read the main findings in the evaluation report here.