ABSTRACT
This chapter explores some leading ideas used in discussing moral thinking and ethics. It provides a brief overview of influential philosophical perspectives that inform ideas about moral education policy and practice. The chapter discusses three connected threads of exploration. One thread relates to ideas about the development of moral understanding in human beings. A second line of enquiry relates to the moral dimensions of education in settings such as nurseries, schools and colleges. The third line of enquiry is to do with the ethics of educational work: the roles and responsibilities of people such as teachers, tutors, support and other teaching-related staff. This chapter tried to illustrate the ethical dimensions of educational theory and practice and its consequences for anyone working in the field. UNICEF has established a UK-based initiative to encourage schools and other educational establishments to engage actively with children's rights, called the Rights Respecting Schools Award (RRSA).
