Promoting British values in schools

Abstract

Chapter 4 starts with a general overview of the teacher-respondents’ reactions to the FBV. It then moves on to describe and analyse the four main school responses to the promotion of FBV identified in the research. These are Representing Britain, Repackaging FBV, Relocating FBV and Engagement with FBV (the latter is discussed in Chapter 5). The first response, Representing Britain, describes the use of symbols and stereotypes traditionally associated with Britain as a mechanism through which to promote FBV. Repackaging describes a ‘business-as-usual’ response where schools absorb the promotion of FBV into their existing practices. Relocating describes the rise in ‘inward-looking’ values/character education. I argue that this emphasis on personal development is preferred over more ‘outward-looking’ citizenship education. Throughout, I identify the characteristics of the ‘good’ citizen inherent in the different responses, focusing both on the desired characteristics of both the ‘good’ school citizen and the future adult citizen.