Since September 2014, schools have been required to promote fundamental British Values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs in order to help demonstrate how they are meeting the requirements of Education Act 2002 regarding their provision of SMSC (spiritual, moral, social and cultural development). The government set out its definition of "British Values" in its "Prevent Strategy" as:

• Democracy
• The rule of law
• Individual liberty
• Mutual respect
• Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs