New
New
Year 11

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.

New
New
Year 11

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

  1. The UDHR and UNCRC establish international human rights standards recognised by the UK.
  2. Acts like the Human Rights Act 1998 and Equality Act 2010 embed these international obligations into domestic law.
  3. Individuals can seek redress through civil courts, employment tribunals, mediations or judicial review.
  4. Additional support is available via independent bodies such as ombudsman services.
  5. 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...

Use real life scenarios and ask pupils what they would do in each situation. This helps them connect the abstract idea of 'rights' with their everyday experiences.
Teacher tip

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

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
When was the most recent Equality Act introduced?
2000
2001
Correct answer: 2010
2020
2021
Q2.
Order the steps of how a law is made in the UK Parliament.
1 - idea for a new law introduced
2 - a debate in the House of Commons
3 - a review by the House of Lords
4 - Royal Assent is given
Q3.
What is not a feature of a democracy?
Correct answer: one party rule
fair elections
rights protection
government accountability
Q4.
Which court deals with most serious criminal offences in the UK?
county court
magistrates court
Correct answer: crown court
family court
Q5.
The principle of the of law means everyone is subject to the law, including those in power.
Correct Answer: rule
Q6.
Match the word with its aim.
Correct Answer:pressure group,tries to influence the Government without standing for election

tries to influence the Government without standing for election

Correct Answer:political party,competes in elections to form or influence the Government

competes in elections to form or influence the Government

Correct Answer:local council,makes decisions and provides services in the local area

makes decisions and provides services in the local area

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the word with its definition.
Correct Answer:right,something we are entitled to by law

something we are entitled to by law

Correct Answer:civil law,law that deals with disputes between individuals and groups

law that deals with disputes between individuals and groups

Correct Answer:violated,an action that breaks a rule, law or someone's rights, causing harm

an action that breaks a rule, law or someone's rights, causing harm

Q2.
Order this important rights document.
1 - United
2 - Nations
3 - Convention
4 - on the
5 - Rights
6 - of the
7 - Child
Q3.
Which law brought the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law?
Equality Act 2010
Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022
Correct answer: Human Rights Act 1998
Civil Rights Act 1964
Q4.
Match the legal body or process to its purpose.
Correct Answer:ombudsman,investigates complaints independently

investigates complaints independently

Correct Answer:judicial review,examines the lawfulness of a public authority’s action

examines the lawfulness of a public authority’s action

Correct Answer:employment tribunal,resolves work related disputes legally

resolves work related disputes legally

Q5.
The Equality Act 2010 protects people from discrimination based on nine characteristics.
Correct Answer: protected
Q6.
Which of these is not a common method of redress for a rights breach?
civil courts
judicial review
mediation
Correct answer: parliamentary debate