British values are taught in schools and meant to be implicit in British society!!! They also are meant to apply to all of society not just to school children!!
What are these five British values?
So, what are the fundamental British values? They are:
- democracy
- the rule of law
- individual liberty
- mutual respect
- tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
There are many ways in which schools can support and promote British values. Here are some examples relating to each British value.
Democracy
Pupils, parents, and staff should have the right to have their voices heard. This can be achieved through a pupil-elected school council, in which class representatives raise issues and suggest ideas for improvement. Parents and guardians should also be given the opportunity to express any concerns or queries through parent societies and parents' evenings.
(This also I assume is meant to encourage all adults to exercise their right to vote in local council and general elections!)
The rule of law
The
importance of law and rules should be referred to and reinforced to teach students (
And all adults, ) to distinguish between right and wrong. The rule of law in British values teaches children to take responsibility for their own actions. Students should be taught the reasons behind
rules and laws, how they govern and protect us, and the consequences of what happens when these laws are broken. Invite guest speakers to the school and allow children to get involved in workshops to reinforce this teaching.
(
I was teaching adult learners, and also tried to explain that laws also include things like paying taxes properly and not just working on a black cash in hand economy!)
Individual liberty
Promote freedom of choice and the right to respectfully express views and beliefs in a safe environment. Teach children to take responsibility for their behaviour. Children should be supported to understand that they have
rights and personal freedoms and should be advised on how to exercise these safely. Pupils should be supported to become as independent as possible. This can be demonstrated in various ways, for example, through PSHE lessons and assemblies.
Mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths or beliefs
Students should be taught how to respect those from different backgrounds. For example, giving pupils regular opportunities to learn about different cultures and beliefs will reinforce messages of respect and tolerance in British values. This will also allow them to understand that others may have religions and beliefs that differ from their own and to respect these differing viewpoints.
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British values is on the surface, easy and simple to agree to, but if you really think about it, it can be extremely complicated!
I can be fairly easy going and perfectly happy to agree with the idea of mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs, but then think of our local jehovahs witnesses, no issues for me on the surface, but then when they try and persuade my teenaged daughter about why blood transfusions are immoral and wrong, my head starts to spin!
.
) when they took no responsibility whatsoever when it was going through the roof.
