Choose exam board for KS4 Computer Science (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 English
Choose exam board for KS4 French
Choose exam board for KS4 Geography
Choose exam board for KS4 German
Choose exam board for KS4 History
Choose tier for KS4 Maths
Choose exam board for KS4 Music
Choose exam board for KS4 Physical education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Religious education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Spanish

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can explain what fundamental British values are and why they are important.

      Key learning points

      1. British values are shared ideas that guide our society.
      2. They include democracy, rule of law, indvidual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance.
      3. These ideas have been important in Britain for hundreds of years.
      4. Values help communities work fairly and safely.
      5. Everyone in Britain benefits from these values.

      Keywords

      • Value - in this context, something we think is important and should guide how we behave

      • Fundamental - something very important and basic, like the foundation of something

      Common misconception

      All the fundamental values were originally British ideas.

      These values were not created in Britain, they are found in many places but are very important in Britain.

      Teacher tip

      Consider using playground scenarios to show how values work daily. You can also adapt the examples of how the values work in schools and classrooms to fit your educational setting.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

      Loading...

      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What word means to have a different opinion from someone else?

      Correct Answer: disagree, disagreement

      Q2.
      What does it mean when people vote to choose something together?

      everyone gets angry
      everyone gets what they want
      Correct answer: people choose what most people want
      the teacher decides everything

      Q3.
      At school, we have that everyone must follow to keep us safe.

      Correct Answer: rules, rule

      Q4.
      Match the feeling words to what they mean.

      Correct Answer:calm,feeling peaceful and relaxed

      feeling peaceful and relaxed

      Correct Answer:frustrated,feeling a bit annoyed when things don't go your way

      feeling a bit annoyed when things don't go your way

      Correct Answer:respectful,being kind and polite to others

      being kind and polite to others

      Q5.
      What should you do first when you disagree with a friend about which game to play?

      never talk to them again
      Correct answer: listen to what they want to do
      shout at them loudly
      tell the teacher immediately

      Q6.
      Why do communities need people to follow the same basic rules?

      so everyone can do whatever they want
      so adults can have more power
      so children don't have any fun
      Correct answer: so things work fairly and safely for everyone

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What word means very important and basic, like the foundation of something?

      Correct Answer: fundamental

      Q2.
      Which of these are the four fundamental British values?

      happy, sad, angry, excited
      red, blue, green, yellow
      Correct answer: democracy, rule of law, liberty, mutual respect and tolerance
      running, jumping, skipping, walking

      Q3.
      Match the words to their meanings.

      Correct Answer:British values,shared ideas that guide our society

      shared ideas that guide our society

      Correct Answer:value,something we think is important and guides our behaviour

      something we think is important and guides our behaviour

      Correct Answer:society,all the people who live and work together in our country

      all the people who live and work together in our country

      Q4.
      British values help communities work fairly and for everyone.

      Correct Answer: safely

      Q5.
      Match the British value to where the idea comes from.

      Correct Answer:Magna Carta,rule of law

      rule of law

      Correct Answer:more people were allowed to vote,democracy

      democracy

      Correct Answer:Human Rights Act,mutual respect and tolerance

      mutual respect and tolerance

      Q6.
      Where do values come from?

      only from Britain
      only from other countries
      Correct answer: from many places around the world
      from one special person

      To help you plan your 3 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Fundamental British values, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...