London pupils attending schools which explicitly set out their rights reported more positive feelings of belonging, a new evaluation has found. The mayor of London’s Violence Reduction Unit has funded hundreds of schools to participate in the United Nations “rights respecting schools” award since February 2024. The award aims to boost a sense of belonging, safety and inclusion in schools by teaching children about their rights, other people’s rights and how they can apply them throughout their school experience. There are currently 709 schools – around 20 per cent – in London signed up for the scheme, covering all 32 boroughs. Schools can reach different levels of the award, ranging from “entry” to “gold”, and work with advisers on how to implement the rights. A new study by the London Violence Reduction Unit and the University of Strathclyde Glasgow found a significant correlation between pupils in a school rated “silver” or above and more positive feelings of inclusion, safety and belonging. It follows the schools white paper earlier this year, in which the government said it would expect every school to “monitor pupils’ sense of belonging and engagement” by 2029. Previous education secretary Bridget Phillipson also said that thriving and belonging would feature “prominently in our work in the opportunity mission, hand in hand with attainment”. Greater belonging The study, which lasted from March 2025 to February 2026, surveyed a total of 1,726 pupils and 236 teachers. It also carried out focus groups and six school-based studies. Seventy per cent of respondents from “gold” schools said they felt they belonged, compared with 56 per cent of pupils at an “entry” level school. Another 79 per cent of pupils at “gold” schools said leaders made an effort to include all pupils, compared with 64 per cent of “entry” schools. Seventy-five per cent of “gold” school pupils said they felt safe in school, compared with 59 per cent of pupils at “entry” schools. Pupils at schools rated “silver” or above also were also more likely than those in “entry” schools to report that teachers cared about them (70 per cent vs 54 per cent), and their views are listened to by adults in school (67 per cent vs 52 per cent). The vast majority (98 per cent) of teachers at “gold” schools said pupils felt safe in school, compared to 81 per cent of teachers at “entry” schools. Rights ‘front and centre’ Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said the study showed “that when we invest in children’s rights and support London’s hardworking teachers with the right tools, we create classrooms where young people feel safe, feel they belong and can thrive. “I urge more schools to take advantage of this game-changing offer as we continue to build a safer, fairer London for everyone.” Lib Peck, director of London’s Violence Reduction Unit, said the evaluation showed the “true value of putting children’s rights front and centre”, and “changes how safe and connected they feel to school”. The London inclusion charter was first introduced in February 2024 and included £16 million investment in schools across the capital.