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Year 8

What is the age of criminal responsibility?

I can explain how individuals choose right from wrong, explain what the age of criminal responsibility is and how it applies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

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Year 8

What is the age of criminal responsibility?

I can explain how individuals choose right from wrong, explain what the age of criminal responsibility is and how it applies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. As we age, our understanding of right and wrong evolves from following rules to considering the impact of our actions.
  2. Everyone must follow the law, but in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the age of criminal responsibility is 10.
  3. It has been 10 since 1963, with changes in 1998 which removed protections for those aged 10-14.
  4. The age of criminal responsibility is different around the world, for example, in Cuba it is 16 and in Grenada it is 7.

Keywords

  • Right and wrong - actions or behaviours that are considered morally acceptable or unacceptable based on societal values or personal beliefs

  • Law - rules, usually made by Parliament, that are used to order the way in which a society behaves

  • Crime - an illegal act that is punishable by law

  • Age of criminal responsibility - the minimum age at which a person can be legally considered responsible for a crime

Common misconception

Children under the age of 10 have no consequences for their actions.

Whilst the age of criminal responsbility in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is 10, this does not mean children under this age will face no conseqences if they break the law. They may still face other forms of intervention.

Be cautious when discussing sensitive cases like the James Bulger case. If you choose to use it, it can help pupils explore how criminal responsibility differs for young people and adults. However, if you feel it may be too distressing, consider using a different example.
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Equipment

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Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of serious crime
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Supervision

Adult supervision required

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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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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the words with their correct definitions.
Correct Answer:rights,things we are entitled to by law
tick

things we are entitled to by law

Correct Answer:court,a formal place where legal cases are heard and justice is applied
tick

a formal place where legal cases are heard and justice is applied

Correct Answer:magistrate,a person who hears less serious cases in local courts
tick

a person who hears less serious cases in local courts

Q2.
Fill in the gap: A is a legal decision made after a person has been found guilty of a crime, and it determines their punishment.
Correct Answer: sentence
Q3.
Which of the following is a key difference between youth courts and adult courts?
Youth courts have the same procedures as adult courts.
Correct answer: Youth courts focus more on rehabilitation and wellbeing.
Youth courts only handle criminal cases.
Youth courts do not have magistrates.
Q4.
Which of these is a right that young people have when arrested?
the right to choose their own punishment
Correct answer: the right to have an appropriate adult with them
the right to remain silent only if guilty
Q5.
What ages of people do youth courts deal with?
Correct answer: 10 - 17-year-olds
anyone under 18
10 - 25-year-olds
Q6.
If a case involving a young person is very serious, it is dealt with by a ...
youth court
magistrates court
Correct answer: crown court

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Complete this sentence: In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the age of criminal responsibility is ...
Correct Answer: ten, 10, 10 years old, ten years old
Q2.
Match the word to the correct definition.
Correct Answer:law ,rules, usually made by Parliament
tick

rules, usually made by Parliament

Correct Answer:crime,an illegal act that is punishable by law
tick

an illegal act that is punishable by law

Correct Answer:age of criminal responsibility,the minimum age a person can be held legally responsible for a crime
tick

the minimum age a person can be held legally responsible for a crime

Q3.
Why does our understanding of right and wrong evolve as we age?
because we learn to follow more rules
Correct answer: because we start considering the impact of our actions
because we stop making mistakes
Q4.
What was removed in 1998 for those aged 10–14 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland?
the ability to be tried for crimes
Correct answer: protections against being held responsible for crimes
the legal right to representation
Q5.
What happens if children under the age of 10 break the law in England, Wales or Northern Ireland?
they face no consequences at all
they are sent to court like adults
Correct answer: they may face other forms of intervention
Q6.
Put the countries in order of which has the lowest age of criminal responsibility.
1 - Grenada
2 - England, Wales and Northern Ireland
3 - Scotland
4 - Spain
5 - Norway
6 - Cuba