Some could claim that British values are just excellent morals! But as of 2011, the government’s definition of British Values was as follows: democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, respect for one another’s views, and tolerance of other religions.
Since 2014, they have been included in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Early childhood educators are required under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act to “give due respect to the need to prevent persons from being attracted to terrorism” (the Prevent duty).
This obligation became effective in July 2015. British Values are already a component of the curriculum we teach the children daily, even if this does have consequences for providers in terms of protecting children and staff training. There is thus no actual need to worry.
Table of Contents
What are British values?
The term “British values” refers to a government project that teaches students the values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance, all considered core British values.
In November 2014, the Department for Education advised adopting British Values in Schools to establish and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation that all schools promote them.
According to the advice, promoting British Values entails “challenging beliefs or behaviors in school that are opposed to core British Values.”
It is said that British Values should be enabled as part of students’ spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development (SMSC) to leave school equipped for life in contemporary Britain.
The principles underlie what it means to be a citizen in a modern and varied Britain, and they foster moral and cultural understanding to enjoy the country’s variety.
While these principles are crucial for children to acquire, it is essential to recognize that, despite the language, they are not specific to Britain and should not be followed blindly.
Many other democratic nations share British values. A more suitable term may be ‘human values,’ It is just as vital to analyze these values objectively and how they grow as it is to defend them.
How are British values used in everyday life?
Ans- In our regular day-to-day existence we need to keep to the law and rules set working. We can set different norms for our families, like British people. It can be fixing sleep times for kids, time for dinner, or time to study.
However, we need to acknowledge that there are outcomes. Therefore, British values are used prominently in our regular life schedule, including work and education.
Why are British values important?
A group of people who can at least agree on a general vision of the kind of society they want to live in is necessary for a democracy to “work,” that is, for it to be the best form of governance that offers the majority of people approximately what they want and enables them to live roughly as they wish.
The ancient Greeks referred to this as a “Demos,” a collection of individuals with similar morals and social ideals. As a side note, consider the democracy activists in the USSR attempting to cross the Berlin Wall if a person chooses not to abide by the laws but is not permitted to leave that society or is unable to do so.
This is essentially tyranny, which is not a healthy condition for you or anybody else to be in. People will be oppressed by society if it occurs. Therefore, having a standard set of values is crucial for organizations, particularly for democracies, since without them.
It would be impossible to persuade a majority of people to approve a specific policy and then impose it on the minority without the minority agreeing to follow the democratic decision.
The greatest threat to any democracy is posed by those who reject the democratic process and utilize it to subvert it while not sharing its principles. These individuals are known as anti-democrats.
Anti-democrats are parasites that live on the demos, moving through institutions like “The Long March” and burrowing deep inside the red tape. These individuals are hazardous because they seem to uphold society’s principles while seeking to abolish democracy’s most crucial component, the democratic process.
If the anti-democratic arguments and positions are not exposed, confronted, and repeatedly refuted, democracy will not last.
Fundamental British Values
Democracy
Britain is a democratic nation, and as such, the opinions of individuals matter. Learning about democracy may aid youngsters in developing an awareness of how people can influence decision-making via the democratic process, which is seen as vital to the ideals of contemporary Britain.
Students should be inspired to promote democratic participation and treat it with respect. As a result, individuals are better able to comprehend the effects of their actions and behavior and how they might improve the lives of others by acting morally.
The Rule Of Law
Children must learn early on that laws are necessary to keep us secure, healthy, and content. To help kids understand the difference between right and wrong, it is essential to emphasize the value of laws and regulations.
Children will learn to accept responsibility for their acts and the importance of living in a society where the rule of law is upheld to safeguard all individuals.
Teaching students the rationale behind laws and regulations, how they regulate and safeguard us, and the repercussions of breaking them is essential.
Individual Liberty
Individual liberty refers to the freedom of choice, expression, and the ability to adequately express one’s opinions and ideas in a secure setting. Children will learn to accept responsibility for their actions, thanks to this.
Students should be encouraged to understand their rights and freedoms and given guidance on how to exercise them securely. Encouraging kids to make judgments while also ensuring they realize how those actions may affect their classmates.
Teaching individual liberties helps kids perceive themselves as respected individuals since it has connections to self-confidence and awareness. Try using our Think Before You Act Lesson Pack to introduce the idea of self-awareness to your students.
Mutual Respect and Tolerance
Even though we don’t all have the same values, views, or religions, we should always show respect for and accept one another’s beliefs. The ability to empathize with and comprehend persons from various origins should be taught to students.
This includes being aware of the need to recognize and combat prejudice and the fact that the right to select and hold other religions and beliefs is guaranteed by law.
They should also be aware that no one should pressure others to share their viewpoint and that polite discussion of opposing views is acceptable.
What is Individual Liberty?
Many individual rights that have been battled and struggled for throughout the years are now commonplace in Britain in the twenty-first century. Some of these rights include the freedom to cast our votes for anyone we like, the freedom to go anywhere we please, the right to free expression, and the freedom to interact with whomever we choose.
These rights are essential to democracy, supported by speech, assembly, and association freedoms. While we can take many of these rights for granted, they have evolved through time with a few significant turning points.
The Magna Carta, which includes rights like the freedom from unlawful detention, was signed in 1215, perhaps the first meaningful event. The 1689 Bill of Rights established the space from “cruel and unusual punishment” and the ability to demonstrate, among other liberties, another significant milestone.
British values in school
All maintained academies and independent schools in England are mandated to promote British values. In reaction to the Trojan Horse affair in several Birmingham schools, the announcement was first made in 2014.
All schools have a responsibility to “actively promote” the core British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and respect for people of all religions and beliefs, according to the Department for Education (DfE).
British Values in the Place
Ofsted requires apprentices to have their training providers demonstrate that they are educating them on core British values and preparing them for life in contemporary Britain. As a required element of their apprenticeship, each of our trainees is expected to gain knowledge of British Values.
In the workplace, you should show that you are committed to upholding British values. Encourage your apprentices to respect other individuals in light of the Equality Act’s list of protected traits, and model this behavior yourself.
It would be best if you instilled in your apprentices a sense of mutual respect and tolerance for people whose ideas are different from their own. Throughout the program, emphasize the importance of British values.
Educate apprentices on respecting others, paying particular attention to the protected characteristics outlined in the Equality Act (2010). Apprentices should be given training that not only defines and investigates British Values but also provides an opportunity for them to apply their knowledge to relevant contemporary events and concerns.
Encourage awareness of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance for people of other religions and beliefs among the general population.
Criticisms Of The British Values
One of the most significant criticisms against the concept of “British values” is that its principles are not unique to the United Kingdom but may be similarly associated with other nations, cultures, and faiths.
Because of this, others believe that the term “fundamental British principles” ought to be changed to something else, such as “human rights” or “international law.”
Furthermore, the term “basic” is called doubtless since it is associated with “problematic connotations.”
The report suggests the following:
“The government should discontinue using the phrase Shared Values of British Citizenship and instead adopt the term Fundamental British Values,” It should acknowledge that the principles are fundamentally British while also recognizing that individuals from other nations share them. (Paragraph 46)
Citizenship education is the first chance to instill and strengthen British values, and it plays an integral part in helping to form engaged citizens. However, to encourage effective citizenship, we urgently need to be aware of what values we are meant to share.
According to the report’s findings, the current set of values ought to be revised to incorporate “democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and respect for the inherent worth and autonomy of every person.” Furthermore, the report suggests that these values “should be central to government policy, and each department must make it clear how it relates to them.”
In addition, the research asserts that the attempts to promote “Fundamental British Values” have been too closely identified with the Prevent campaign, reducing the effectiveness of these initiatives.
The objective of the project titled “Shared Values of British Citizenship” should not be limited to only combating extremism; instead, it should seek to inspire constructive citizenship.
FAQ-
Why Are British Values Compulsory In Schools?
We believe that it is essential for every school to instill the traditional British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance for people of different religions and views in their students.
By doing the young people comprehend the significance of care and that they graduate from school completely equipped for life in contemporary Britain.
Why is it important to promote British Values in the early years?
One of the most important skills students acquire in their early years is sharing and collaboration, which several British values encourage. Create rules that force sharing while, wherever feasible, promoting cooperation and teamwork in pursuing a shared objective.
How can the community promote British values?
Children should be encouraged to exhibit tolerant behaviors such as sharing and respecting one another’s viewpoints. By telling tales that reflect and celebrate the range of children’s experiences, you may encourage varied views and dispel prejudices.
What is mutual respect in British Values?
Mutual respect recognizes that we do not all have the same opinions and ideas. Respecting others’ values, views, and beliefs while not imposing our own.
It is the bedrock upon which honesty, trust, and meaningful communication are built. Both parties must be equally valued and appreciated to maintain a good relationship. Mutual respect is a practical consideration for a person’s or position’s dignity.
What examples do we have of the British Values in society?
Examples
- Accountability and leadership
- Making decisions together
- Meetings of the team
- The right to petition and protest
- Giving and receiving feedback
Conclusion
We try to uphold British values in everything we do to support today’s youth and inspire tomorrow’s leaders. We encourage the students to live lives characterized and enriched by these values.
