ACT Presents Key Research at BERA Conference 2024

The Association for Citizenship Teaching (ACT) research team presented at the British Educational Research Association (BERA) Conference 2024. As part of the symposium “The School as a Civic Institution: Values, Vision, and Action,” ACT’s paper “The Power of Ethos” explored the pivotal role school ethos plays in fostering active citizenship in young people.

The Research

ACT’s contribution to the symposium was based on findings from the National Citizenship Education Study (NCES), a project conducted in collaboration with Middlesex University. The research introduced a new measure of ‘student perceived ethos,’ a term that captures students’ perceptions of their school’s culture, including how respected and listened to they feel by staff, and their relationships with teachers and peers. These perceptions are strongly linked to key civic outcomes like trust in public institutions and students’ intentions to participate in democratic activities, such as voting, as adults​.

The data, gathered from over 1,200 secondary students across eight schools, shows that a positive school ethos significantly contributes to young people’s civic engagement. When students feel their voices are valued, they are more likely to develop a sense of trust in wider society and express a commitment to active citizenship in the future.

Why Ethos Matters

School ethos is not just about academic success but about creating environments where students feel empowered and involved. ACT’s research reveals that fostering strong, supportive relationships between students and staff is vital to building the trust necessary for active civic participation. This aligns with previous studies suggesting that positive student-teacher relationships have a direct impact on democratic engagement and community involvement. You can read the full briefing here.

ACT’s Commitment to Citizenship Education

ACT remains at the forefront of advancing Citizenship education in UK schools. By focusing on school ethos, ACT is helping educators develop environments that go beyond the curriculum, ensuring students are not only well-informed but also equipped with the values and skills needed to engage with society responsibly.

For more information about ACT’s ongoing research, visit our research page.