This article discusses a project focused on children researching their role in decision making in their classrooms and schools, with a view to increasing their involvement. The article explores the constraints encountered by both children and teachers in sharing decisions and in carrying out action research. It identifies two dimensions: the teachers' thinking and action, as well as children's research and decision making. The teachers struggled with their need to mediate the project aims in the context of the changing nature of their professional role in the current target-driven school culture.