Navigating British Values in 2023: A Modern-Day Guide for Schools
How do you actually do British Values? How do you make it meaningful AND easy in 2023? 🤔
British Values lay a solid foundation to encourage learning of helpful skills, especially in a democracy that thrives on inclusivity and positivity. These values aren’t just lofty ideals but practical principles that can be integrated into the daily ethos of schools. They act as a springboard, propelling students into engaging discussions, critical thinking, and active civic engagement.
At the heart of it, Fundamental British Values are about nurturing a sense of community, respect, and a shared responsibility among the young minds. It's about igniting that spark of curiosity and understanding that empowers them to be active, informed members of their communities.
Now, let's get down to the nitty-gritty. When schools embrace these values, they’re not just ticking off a Ofsted checklist; hopefully they are also opening doors to a rich learning experience. Imagine a classroom buzzing with debates on democracy, students taking the lead in community projects, or diving into discussions about the rule of law with real-world examples. It’s about fostering a learning environment where students are encouraged to explore, question, and understand the world around them, all while developing a robust set of skills that will serve them well beyond the school gates.
And it doesn’t stop at the classroom door. The ripple effect of embracing British Values extends to creating a school culture that’s inclusive, respectful, and engaged with the wider community. It’s a journey of growth, understanding, and empowerment that sets the stage for students to develop into well-rounded, informed individuals ready to contribute positively to society.
In a nutshell, British Values are more than just a part of the curriculum; they're the stepping stones towards fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and positive democratic ethos within schools, setting the stage for students to build remarkable skills that will hold them in good stead in the days to come. As a charity dedicated to this cause, the potential to make a lasting impact is immense, and the journey ahead is indeed promising.
What are the five British Values?
We’ve explained them in a friendly simple way 🌍
Respect for the Rule of Law:
This is the cornerstone of our British Values!
It’s like a big, friendly playground where everyone knows the rules and plays fair. The UK justice system, with its laws, police officers, and courts, acts like a fair-play monitor ensuring everything runs smoothly, promoting a sense of order and stability in society. This value is a great lesson plan starter for discussing fairness and preventing harmful behaviours.
Individual Liberty:
Imagine having a superpower of choice. Individual liberty is all about pursuing your own goals and interests, without being a baddie. It's your free pass to making your own decisions within the bounds of the law, of course. This British value is like having a big, open field to run freely, explore, and be the unique person you are!
Democracy:
Democracy is like a grand school assembly where everyone gets to have their say on how things should run. It's the heart of the UK's political system, promoting an equal say in government actions. This value opens the door to exciting activities around voting, elections, and referendums, making it a star player in our British Values assembly ideas.
Mutual Respect:
Picture a big circle of friends, each appreciating and celebrating what makes the other special. Mutual respect is about understanding and valuing the uniqueness of each individual. It’s a fabulous way to promote a more inclusive and diverse society, making it a shining topic in British Values lessons.
Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs:
Envision a vibrant, colourful garden with a variety of flowers, each beautiful in its own way. Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs is about appreciating the beauty in diversity. It’s another sparkling gem in British Values, teaching us to embrace and celebrate the different ideas and beliefs that make our community so wonderfully diverse.
What does the guidance actually say?
Here’s the actual passage from the guidance. Read in full here
Five practical ideas to help you meet British Values
Interactive Democracy Day
Organise a Democracy Day with mock elections, debates and discussions. Students could create their own political parties, manifestos, and run a campaign, culminating in a school-wide vote.
Rule of Law Role-Play
Create a role-play activity where students act out different roles within the UK justice system. This can help them understand the rule of law, civil and criminal law systems in a fun, engaging way.
Individual Liberty Projects
Encourage students to embark on projects that allow them to express their individual liberties while learning about the importance of making choices that don’t harm others. They could explore topics they are passionate about, and present their findings to their peers.
Culture Appreciation Week
A week-long event where each day is dedicated to exploring different cultures, beliefs and traditions to promote tolerance and mutual respect. This could include guest speakers, cultural performances, and a diverse range of food and activities.
INVOLVE EVERYONE’s VOICE BY ACTIVELY Promoting democractic processes
This is a key suggestion in the Department for Education Guidance (see below), and exactly what we help our 500 schools across the UK to do at Smart School Councils.
Find out more
If you’d like to find out how we can make involving everyone’s voice in your school really easy in discussing concepts around British Values, click below :) We’d love to tell you more.
