The Impact of the Award

The Award improves the lives of children in the UK by taking a whole school approach to putting children’s rights at the heart of school policy and practice.

Between 2017 and 2019 we gathered evidence that demonstrates the impact the Award makes to children and schools.

Our evidence is based on surveys with over 190,000 pupils and 20,000 staff, independent research and evaluations, school inspection reports and self-assessments with over 600 headteachers.

We have completed a further analysis based on information from schools engaging with the programme from September 2022 – June 2024 this evidence compliments our earlier findings. Please see links to both reports on the right.

Over 1.7 million children in the UK go to a Rights Respecting School and over 5,000 schools in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales are working through the Award.

We have found that as a result of participation in the Rights Respecting Schools Award children at schools who have progressed through the Award:

• Know about rights
• Can exercise their rights
• Feel valued
• Can recognise the rights of others

The RRSA Impact Evidence Pack presents the evidence that supports our Theory of Change and demonstrates impact for children and whole school communities in the following areas:

• Children learn about rights
• Children can exercise their rights
• A culture of respect across the school
• Pupil engagement – a shared sense of community and belonging
• A culture where children’s voices are heard and valued
• Children take their right to an education seriously
• Global citizenship – children believe they can change the world for the better
• Children develop self-esteem and value themselves
• A school environment where children feel safe and cared for
• Adults also benefit from a rights respecting culture

Knowledge and understanding of rights is central to change in these areas since rights not only set standards that children can expect, but also empower children to challenge when these standards are not met.

In 2020 the Equality and Human Rights Commission presented examples of good practice in human rights education by working with 10 Rights Respecting Schools across the UK. Their report explores what schools need to have in place to achieve outcomes in many areas of school life and how an approach based on rights can impact on attainment, attendance, and a reduction in racist and other prejudiced attitudes.

You can also view our 2018 Impact Report, our 2017 Impact Report and our 2016 Impact Report.

The RRSA Impact Evidence Pack is a summary and a longer more detailed set of results are available, if you would like to request these please contact us.