How to monitor the promotion of British values in your school

Find tips on scrutinising how British values are being incorporated into your school, both through the curriculum and holistically through its wider culture, vision and ethos.

Last reviewed on 15 August 2022
School types: All · School phases: All
Ref: 5459
Contents
  1. Your school's responsibilities
  2. Monitor how your school's curriculum promotes British values
  3. Monitor British values in your school's culture, ethos and vision
  4. Questions to ask about British values

Your school's responsibilities

Schools are required to promote the spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development of their pupils. As part of this, your school should actively promote the fundamental British values of:

  • Democracy
  • The rule of law
  • Individual liberty
  • Mutual respect for and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs

This is set out in the Department for Education's (DfE's) guidance on promoting British values as part of SMSC in maintained schools and part 2 of The Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 for academies and independent schools.

Ofsted will consider how well pupils understand British values when evaluating personal development in your school. This is set out in paragraphs 293, 302 and 304 of the School Inspection Handbook.

You can read more about this in our article on the requirement to promote British values in schools.

Monitor how your school's curriculum promotes British values

Subject What your school might do: English Look