Archive · 17 Sep 2026
UK Study Links Childhood Smacking With Lower GCSE Performance
Researchers studied children who were sometimes smacked when they were young.
They compared these children with their later school results and behaviour.
Children who had been smacked were less likely to get five passing GCSE grades, including English and Maths.
They were also more likely to take part in risky behaviour, such as bullying, at age 14.
The researchers said smacking did not appear to help children.
However, the study could not prove that smacking itself caused the later problems.
Other parts of the children’s lives may also have affected the results.
Scotland banned physical punishment in 2020, and Wales did so in 2022.
It remains legal for parents in England and Northern Ireland.
University College London researchers studied physical punishment among 19,000 UK-born children at ages three, five, and seven.
Among 7,559 students examined through England’s National Pupil Database, those who had been smacked were less likely to achieve five GCSE passes, including English and Maths.
Fourteen-year-olds who experienced early physical punishment were 33% more likely to engage in risky behaviour, including bullying.
Researchers said the findings showed harmful associations, but the analysis could not prove that smacking directly caused poorer outcomes.
Physical punishment is banned in Scotland and Wales but remains legal in England and Northern Ireland.
- Who
- Researchers from University College London studied 19,000 children born in the UK between 2000 and 2002, including 7,559 students whose GCSE results were reviewed.
- What
- The study examined associations between physical punishment in early childhood, later GCSE performance, and risky teenage behaviour.
- When
- Children were assessed at ages three, five, and seven; GCSE results and behaviour were examined later, including at age 14 and in data monitored in 2021.
- Where
- The research involved children in the UK, with GCSE results reviewed through England’s National Pupil Database.
- Why
- Researchers investigated whether early physical punishment was associated with later educational and behavioural outcomes.
- Research institution
- University College London (UCL)
- Study population
- 19,000 children born in the UK between 2000 and 2002
- GCSE sample
- 7,559 students in England
- Academic finding
- Children who had been smacked were less likely to achieve five GCSE passes, including English and Maths
- Behavioural finding
- Fourteen-year-olds exposed to early physical punishment were 33% more likely to engage in risky behaviour, including bullying
- Causation
- The analysis found associations but could not prove a direct causal link
- Legal position
- Scotland banned physical punishment in 2020; Wales followed in 2022, while it remains legal in England and Northern Ireland