Resource

An Introduction to Human Rights

In 2021, the UK Government announced plans to reform and improve the 1998 Human Rights Act, the proposed reforms were dropped in 2023. But what are human rights and what impact do they have on society?

Overview

In this lesson students will explore our rights and responsibilities and how they are protected in law. They are challenged to consider if there are circumstances when human rights could be restricted and what should happen when different human rights potentially come into conflict with each other.

An extension activity is included which explores some of the recent debates the Government have been having about reforming the Human Rights Act in the UK.

 

Acknowledgment:

These teaching and learning resources were developed in partnership with the global law firm, Allen & Overy. We are grateful for their support in boosting young people’s awareness of the law, rights, responsibilities, and the ways we can work together to strengthen society for everybody.

More Lessons resources

Lessons, Social Action/Active Citizenship, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Martin Luther King: Sacrificing All for the Dream

This lesson looks at discrimination against African Americans in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s, the Civil Rights Movement and how Martin Luther King achieved change through peaceful…

Lessons, Social Action/Active Citizenship, KS2 (ages 7-11)

How Can I Make a Difference?

In this lesson pupils will think about how they can plan a social action project. They will be led through key steps by following the example of the Go-Givers.  …

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS1 (ages 5-7)

Why Do We Have Rules?

In this lesson pupils will think about the purpose of rules by reflecting on what life might be like without them. Pupils will discuss different types of rules in the…

More Politics and Democracy resources

Understanding Rules & The Law, KS3 (ages 11-14)

Sentencing Guidelines

This lesson asks students to consider the key findings of a harassment trial and conclude what sentence should be given to the guilty party. During the course of the lesson…

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Magna Carta

During this lessons pupils will look at the history of the Magna Carta and consider how it has helped shape the laws we have today.   Pupils consider what ‘fairness’…

Classroom Toolkits, Politics and Democracy, KS1 (ages 5-7)

Controversial issues: guidance for schools

Children are alert to information and images they see in the media. These may graphically influence their view of the world, and not always positively. Graphic images on TV and…

More Understanding Rules & The Law resources

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS3 (ages 11-14)

Cyberbullying

According to research by the charity Ditch the Label, 7 in 10 young people have experienced cyberbullying, 20% of whom experience it daily. Support your students to know their legal…

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS5 (ages 16-18)

An Introduction to Human Rights

In this lesson students will explore our rights and responsibilities and how they are protected in law. They are...

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Migration of People

To help you engage your students in the topic of migration Young Citizens have developed a flexible teaching resource...

More KS4 (ages 14-16) resources

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS3 (ages 11-14)

Sentencing Myths

This short activity challenges young people’s perceptions of current sentencing guidelines. It can be run as a standalone activity or as an extension activity as part of a mock trial…

Lessons, Politics and Democracy, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Citizenship: a privilege or a right?

Students research what the law says about the rights of individuals to become UK citizens and critically examine whether...

Lessons, Politics and Democracy, KS3 (ages 11-14)

Local and Central Government

This resource pack is the third of a four-part set which has been designed to introduce students to the...

More KS5 (ages 16-18) resources

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS3 (ages 11-14)

Sentencing Myths

This short activity challenges young people’s perceptions of current sentencing guidelines. It can be run as a standalone activity...

Lessons, Sustainability and the Environment, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Biodiversity: Using the Law to Drive Change

During this lesson, students consider what biodiversity is, why it is essential to all life on Earth and what...

Lessons, Politics and Democracy, KS3 (ages 11-14)

What is Democracy?

This resource pack is the first of a four-part set which has been designed to introduce students to the...