What are British values? What are the qualities fundamental to the British way of life?
This is a topic that can inspire debate, dissent, satire and cynicism – all of which might be seen by some as not atypical British characteristics. One broad area of discussion is the role of the word British. Asking people to define what is quintessentially British will yield a range of answers, but most lists end up including queuing, rain and tea. More in-depth discussion may wander into history, identity, empire and all the complexities that debate entails.
Generally, when discussing Fundamental British Values with students (a compulsory aspect of the curriculum), what clarifies these debates is explaining the concept. What are the fundamental building blocks of our society? What are the key principles we should use to organise and get along with one another?
This week I posed this question to Lower and Upper Prep (Years 1 and 2). We imagined it this way. Suppose the room we were in were swept up in a tornado, as per The Wizard of Oz; we landed on a desert island, with plenty of food and shelter; and we had to come up with only four rules to make sure we all lived together happily – what did they think those four rules should be?
Their answers were brilliant. They were funny – don’t steal each others’ socks; they were thoughtful and humane – don’t be mean and be kind to each other; and they were generous – always share.
At the end we spoke about how, in a way, this imaginary exercise has already happened. We do live on an island, even if it is not a tropical paradise; and we have agreed four key rules. We should always respect each other, our diversity and our beliefs; we should all get to choose who is in charge and who helps shape the rules; we should all agree to follow those rules; and within that – we should all be free to be ourselves. Or as it is codified in the Fundamental British Values: mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs; democracy; the rule of law; and individual liberty.
Thinking in this way about the fundamental pillars that underpin our lives together gives a helpful sense of perspective. Life is complex and nuanced and communal life has its stresses and strains, as everyone who has ever shared a house – or indeed a school or a country – knows full well. But in the end, if the fundamental principles have meaning, they should cut through the daily noise and give us a sense of peaceable assurance.
In the same way we work very hard to ensure that our fundamental Abbey values, of honesty, courage and kindness, have meaning and give us assurance. Above all we try to use them to guide every important decision. There are always choices to be made. If we ask ourselves every time, which is kinder, which is truer to ourselves; and if we have the courage to take that path, even when it is more difficult – then every day we are doing the best by ourselves and the best by each other.