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Smacking Increases GCSE Failures and Risky Behaviors, Study Shows

6/11/2026

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Summary

Story summary

A UCL study of 7,559 GCSE students found smacked children are 5.7 percentage points more likely to miss five GCSE passes and 33 percent likely to engage in risky behaviours like bullying at age fourteen.
Associate Professor Anja Heilmann said the findings show smacking does not help children and all effects point to harm.
England's Department for Education said there are no plans to change the smacking law while emphasizing child safety.

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Story summary

A UCL study of 7,559 GCSE students found smacked children are 5.7 percentage points more likely to miss five GCSE passes and 33 percent likely to engage in risky behaviours like bullying at age fourteen.
Associate Professor Anja Heilmann said the findings show smacking does not help children and all effects point to harm.
England's Department for Education said there are no plans to change the smacking law while emphasizing child safety.