British Values

What are British Values?

One of the reasons that British values are so important is that they help to prepare young people for life in modern Britain as they grow older and leave school.

Another reason why British values are so important is that they form an important element of safeguarding children, as they are intended as a preventative measure against extremism and radicalisation.

British values were first introduced in schools and early years settings in 2014 when the Department for Education (DfE) published its original British values guidance. The guidance supported education leaders and staff to understand how they could promote British values and support children's understanding of the five fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs.

The guidance also stated that all independent and state-maintained schools have a duty to promote British values.

Teaching British values to children improves their spiritual, moral, social, and cultural (SMSC) development. British values underpin what it is to be a British citizen in a modern and diverse Britain, and promote moral and cultural understanding that celebrates the diversity of the UK. Promoting these fundamental British values will usually occur as part of SMSC development in schools, as per advice from the Department of Education

There are 5 fundamental British Values:

• democracy;

• the rule of law;

• individual liberty;

• mutual respect;

• tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs.