Despite having more than two years to grapple with what British Values are and how to promote them, many schools in England are still unclear about how to put the values into a meaningful context for young children.
Far from the Union Jack-waving image that British Values can conjure up, the Department for Education states that they relate to promoting ‘democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs’. This makes the concept more understandable but still difficult to put into practice. As Zoe Harris, head teacher of Elmwood Infant School and Nursery in Croydon, says, ‘When British Values came up it was very wordy and not early years language. It seemed almost unreachable.’
Register now to continue reading
Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Unlimited access to news and opinion
-
Email newsletter providing activity ideas, best practice and breaking news
Already have an account? Sign in here