Inspection

The Ofsted Inspection Framework

To be classed as good or outstanding under the personal development judgement in the Ofsted Inspection Framework, schools must fulfil the following criteria:​   

• The school prepares pupils for life in modern Britain effectively, developing their understanding of the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance. ​   

• The school promotes equality of opportunity and diversity effectively. As a result, pupils understand, appreciate and respect difference.​ Pupils engage with views, beliefs and opinions that are different from their own in considered ways. They show respect for the different protected characteristics as defined in law and no forms of discrimination are tolerated.​   

• The school provides pupils with meaningful opportunities to understand how to be responsible, respectful, active citizens who contribute positively to society. Pupils know how to discuss and debate issues and ideas in a considered way.  

Before making the final judgement on overall effectiveness, Ofsted inspectors will always consider pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and look at:​     

• Pupils' moral development, including their ability to recognise the difference between right and wrong ... and to respect civil and criminal law​   

• Pupils' social development, including their acceptance of and engagement with the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.​   

• Pupils' cultural development, including their understanding and appreciation of the range of different cultures... as an essential element of their preparation for life in modern Britain and their knowledge of Britain’s democratic parliamentary system and its central role in shaping our history and values.    

To find out how we can help you meet these obligations, and to provide the evidence you need to inspectors, please get in touch. To read Ofsted Chief Inspector Amanda Spielman's speech on Fundamental British Values, click here. 

Independent Schools Standards

All independent schools in England must adhere to the Independent School Standards, including the promotion of pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. 

Independent school regulations are clear that schools must actively promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. 

The regulations go on to say that schools must ensure that principles are actively promoted which: 

• enable pupils to distinguish right from wrong and to respect the civil and criminal law of England;
• further tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions by enabling pupils to acquire an appreciation of and respect for their own and other cultures; 
• encourage respect for other people, paying particular regard to the protected characteristics set out in the Equality Act 2010; 
• encourage respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic processes, including respect for the basis on which the law is made and applied in England

The Independent Schools Inspectorate's Educational Quality Inspections report on two main outcomes for pupils:  Achievement and Personal Development, to which Fundamental British Values are core. 

Furthermore, schools are required to ensure that they effectively prepare pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life in British society, and that nothing in the life of the school undermines the fundamental British values.

In short, it is clear Fundamental British Values are core for independent schools and play a crucial role in inspections. The British Values Project can help you to ensure that not only are you meeting those standards, but that you have evidence to demonstrate this achievement to inspectors and others. 

Please get in touch to find out more. 

The Department for Education's Standards for British Schools Overseas set out out clearly schools' responsibilities in relation to Fundamental British Values. They state:  

"An essential element of the inspection is considering the extent to which the British character of the school is evident in its ethos, curriculum, teaching, care for pupils and pupils’ achievements." 

The standards go on to state that British Schools Overseas must "not undermine the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs."

Furthermore, schools are required to ensure that they provide "personal, social, health and economic education which effectively prepares pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life in British society," and when making a judgement about pupils' social, moral, spiritual and cultural development, schools must "actively promote" the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

In short, it is clear Fundamental British Values are core for British Schools Overseas. The British Values Project can help you to ensure that you are meeting those standards. 

Please get in touch to find out more.