British Values

The Department for Education published guidance on promoting British values in schools as of November 2014 “to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.”

Actively promoting the values means challenging opinions or behaviours in school that are contrary to fundamental British values.

The list below describes the understanding and knowledge expected of pupils as a result of schools promoting fundamental British values.

• an understanding of how citizens can influence decision-making through the democratic process.

• an appreciation that living under the rule of law protects individual citizens and is essential for their wellbeing and safety.

• an understanding that there is a separation of power between the executive and the judiciary, and that while some public bodies such as the police and the army can be held to account through Parliament, others such as the courts maintain independence.

• an understanding that the freedom to choose and hold other faiths and beliefs is protected in law.

• an acceptance that other people having different faiths or beliefs to oneself (or having none) should be accepted and tolerated, and should not be the cause of prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour.

 • an understanding of the importance of identifying and combatting discrimination. It is not necessary for schools or individuals to ‘promote’ teachings, beliefs or opinions that conflict with their own, but nor is it acceptable for schools to promote discrimination against people or groups on the basis of their belief, opinion or background.