Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the campaign by pupils of Meath School in Ottershaw, Surrey, to ensure that UNICEF UK's "Rights Respecting Schools Award" scheme is available to all schools in England; and whether they will provide funding along similar lines to the provision in Scotland.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)

Education plays a vital role in promoting integration and ensuring children and young people are prepared for life, including learning about the values that underpin and unite our society. All schools in England have a duty to promote the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of their pupils and to prepare them for the opportunities and responsibilities of adult life. It is up to schools to decide whether to join UNICEF’s Rights Respecting School programme.

Citizenship education provides a framework for pupils to develop the knowledge, skills and values that will prepare them to take their place in society as responsible citizens. Citizenship forms a core part of the statutory national curriculum at key stages 3 and 4 and primary schools can choose to teach citizenship at key stages 1 and 2, following the non-statutory framework for citizenship.