British Values
Why do we have 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 is that they form an important element of safeguarding children, as they are intended as a preventative measure against extremism and radicalisation.
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..
The main teaching principles for students learning about British values
These are the main principles for pupils learning about British values.
- 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.
- Enable pupils to distinguish right from wrong and to respect the civil and criminal law system.
- Enable pupils to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem, and self-confidence.
- Encourage pupils to accept responsibility for their behaviour, show initiative, and 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.
- Further tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions by enabling pupils to acquire an appreciation for and respect for their own and other cultures.
- Encourage respect for other people.
Easy Watch explanation for British Values