The Government has named the ‘fundamental British values’ (FBV) as democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths. Since 2014, teachers in England have been required to promote these values in schools to all pupils. What are the implications of this for teachers, pupils and the rest of us?

Discussing a broad mix of issues – citizenship, diversity, social class, ethnicity, religion, counter-extremism, affect, and community cohesion – this book discusses the political, social, cultural and educational contexts in which teachers are promoting these values.

Drawing on observations of teaching, as well as teachers’ views and experiences, it analyses how teachers make sense of the mandatory promotion of FBV, and what ideas of citizenship and identity they offer to their pupils.

"By asking how schools are conveying fundamental British values, Vincent explores the vexed and emotive space between xenophobia and xenophilia, with cutting edge theory and thoughtful empirical analysis. This is very much a book for the times." Catherine Doherty, University of Glasgow

Carol Vincent is Professor of Sociology of Education at the Institute of Education, University College London.

Introduction: the promotion of fundamental British values

‘Managing’ diversity: policy and practice

Citizenship, identity and belonging

Researching the promotion of fundamental British values in schools

Promoting British values in schools

Morality, controversy and emotion in schools

Conclusion: citizenship, values and belonging

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