An exploratory study on the role of school education in informing children about the age of criminal responsibility in England and Wales: a case study in North East England

Unnithan, Malvika U. (2022) An exploratory study on the role of school education in informing children about the age of criminal responsibility in England and Wales: a case study in North East England. Doctoral thesis, Northumbria University.

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Abstract

This thesis takes a novel approach to critiquing the age of criminal responsibility in England & Wales by evaluating whether teaching practices in schools educate children on this responsibility, before and after reaching the minimum age of ten. It aims to critique the law by questioning whether children, regardless of age, can be held to such a legal standard, without receiving the necessary exposure to such information through mainstream curriculum subjects. To explore this, interviews were conducted with a sample of teachers who teach children between the age of 7-14 in schools, around the North-East of England. These interviews critically explored the topics and teaching practices presented by teachers in relation to the age of criminal responsibility. The curriculum content as discussed by teachers was investigated by conducting a document analysis of the key curriculum documents on subjects such as Personal Social Health Economic Education, British Values, Citizenship, Religious Education, and Children’s Human Rights Education. The data collected was used to explore the role of the education system in teaching children about the age of criminal responsibility and to examine the extent to which it prepares them for this responsibility as seen with other minimum age limits. This study aims to highlight how the national and school curriculum provides limited education to children on the age of criminal responsibility. Therefore, this thesis questions whether it is fair for children to be held criminally responsible at the age of ten, without being given the opportunity to develop their knowledge and understanding of the law through education.

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