Promoting fundamental British values – are you taking a whole-college approach?

Under the 2015 inspection framework, Ofsted will evaluate how well colleges actively promote Fundamental British Values (FBV) and prepare learners for life in modern Britain. Outstanding colleges are expected to place British values ‘at the heart’ of all that they do. Are you confident that your work on promoting British values will be judged outstanding?

The grade descriptor for outstanding leadership, management and governance in the 2015 inspection framework states ‘the promotion of fundamental British values is at the heart of the provider’s work’. Placing the promotion of British values ‘at the heart’ of your work means taking a ‘whole-college’ approach – successfully promoting British values in classroom practice, workplace learning, lesson observations and learning walks, learner voice, induction, group tutorials, self-assessment and development planning, for example.

But how do we take a positive approach and avoid damaging relationships or alienating students or staff? How do we get staff and students on board? What are the practical implications for teaching staff and assessors? How do senior leaders support staff to drive forward this agenda? How will this agenda impact on inspection? In February 2016, I am running two national one-day workshops on promoting British values on behalf of the AoC – one in London and one in Birmingham. These highly practical workshops explain how to sensitively yet positively promote these new requirements. These workshops follow on from the highly successful workshop that took place in London in October 2015.

The Oct 2015 workshop became fully booked quite quickly and a number of people were unable to register for the event. I am anticipating the Feb 2016 events will prove equally popular. To avoid disappointment, make sure you book your place before they become fully booked. For dates, more information or to register for a workshop, visit the events page of my website here

I have also delivered a number of highly successful training events in colleges – if you are interested in training or support to promote British values in your organisation, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. To get a flavour of the training I am delivering to individual colleges, download my website publicity here