Navigating British Values in 25/26: A Modern-Day Guide for Schools
British Values are a core part of school life, but the challenge for many educators is turning them into something meaningful rather than a tick-box exercise. In 25/26, with schools under growing pressure to show real impact, there’s an opportunity to rethink how these values can be taught in a way that’s engaging, inclusive, and relevant to pupils today.
Here are three practical ways to bring British Values to life this year:
1. Make It Relatable
Abstract concepts like democracy or the rule of law can feel distant to pupils. Instead of keeping them theoretical, tie them to everyday school life. Class elections, rule-setting in the playground, or discussions about fairness in lessons all create opportunities to explore values in ways that feel real.
💡 Example: Run a class vote on which book to add to the library and connect it back to democratic decision-making.
2. Use Real-World Events
Pupils are far more likely to engage when they can see the relevance. Link British Values to current issues or local news that matter to your community. This not only deepens understanding but also builds critical thinking.
💡 Example: Use a school assembly to discuss how mutual respect applies to a national sports event or a local community project.
3. Embed Across the Curriculum
British Values shouldn’t sit in isolation. They can be part of history lessons, PSHE discussions, or even creative arts projects. Embedding them across the curriculum ensures they become part of the school culture, not a once-a-year event.
💡 Example: Explore tolerance of different faiths in RE lessons, then reflect it in art or drama projects.
Linking Back to Practice
British Values don’t need to add to workload. With the right structures, they can become a natural part of how schools run - boosting engagement, inclusion, and Ofsted readiness along the way.
If you’d like a deeper dive into practical, whole-school approaches that make pupil voice and British Values genuinely inclusive, we’ve put together a simple guide here that explains each one and shares practical ways schools can embed them.
💡 Looking for ways to bring British Values to life across your school as an SLT?
Join our free webinar ‘How SLTs Can Make Pupil Voice More Inclusive in School’ next week on Wed 27 Aug 2025 at 11:00am.
We will share a clear whole-school model, quick wins for staff buy-in, and simple ways to evidence impact.
