How are my rights protected?
I can explain how my rights are protected by the law and what I can do if my rights are violated.
How are my rights protected?
I can explain how my rights are protected by the law and what I can do if my rights are violated.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.
These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The UDHR and UNCRC establish international human rights standards recognised by the UK.
- Acts like the Human Rights Act 1998 and Equality Act 2010 embed these international obligations into domestic law.
- Individuals can seek redress through civil courts, employment tribunals, mediations or judicial review.
- Additional support is available via independent bodies such as ombudsman services.
- Rights breaches persist, highlighting limitations in access, enforcement and system effectiveness.
Keywords
Right - something we are entitled to by law
Civil law - law that deals with disputes between individuals or groups
Violated - an action that breaks a rule, law or someone's rights, often causing harm or damage
Common misconception
My rights are only protected if I go to court.
Rights do not only matter in legal cases, they are protected every day through laws, policies and the actions of public bodies like the police and the NHS.
To help you plan your year 11 citizenship lesson on: How are my rights protected?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 citizenship lesson on: How are my rights protected?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 citizenship lessons from the Practising what we have learnt unit, dive into the full secondary citizenship curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
tries to influence the Government without standing for election
competes in elections to form or influence the Government
makes decisions and provides services in the local area
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
something we are entitled to by law
law that deals with disputes between individuals and groups
an action that breaks a rule, law or someone's rights, causing harm
investigates complaints independently
examines the lawfulness of a public authority’s action
resolves work related disputes legally