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British Values

What are British Values?

As of November 2014, schools must now promote British Values.

According to Ofsted, “fundamental British Values” are:

  • democracy
  • the rule of law
  • individual liberty
  • mutual respect for and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs and for those without faith

What must be taught?

Maintained schools must promote the spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development of their pupils.  Through our provision of SMSC schools should:

  • enable pupils to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence.
  • enable pupils to distinguish right from wrong and to respect the civil and criminal law of England.
  • encourage pupils to accept responsibility for their behaviour, show initiative, and to understand how they can contribute positively to the lives of those living and working in the locality of the school and to society more widely.
  • enable pupils to acquire a broad general knowledge of and respect for public institutions and services in England.
  • further tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions by enabling pupils to acquire and appreciation for and respect for their own and other cultures.
  • encourage respect for other people.
  • encourage respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic processes, including respect for the basis on which the law is made and applied in England

(Source: Promoting fundamental British values as part of SMSC in schools, DFE 2014)

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