Understanding Rights, Respect and Responsibility
The Assembly
Bigfoot’s British Values Assembly is a lively, thought-provoking introduction to the ideas of children’s rights, fairness and community. Designed to spark curiosity and empathy, this interactive session helps pupils understand how the rights of children around the world connect to the British Values we celebrate every day in school.
The assembly begins with upbeat music and a warm welcome before pupils are invited to become “Rights Detectives.” Together, they explore what a right is, learning that it’s something every child deserves to live a happy and safe life. Through storytelling, mime and group participation, pupils investigate a “day in the life” of a child in another country, identifying which rights are missing, from the right to education and clean water to the right to play and be cared for. This powerful exercise helps pupils recognise the importance of equality, compassion and global awareness.
Back home in the UK, pupils look at the rights that help keep their school community fair, healthy and supportive. Using drama, volunteers create still images to represent rights such as the right to learn, to play, to be safe and to enjoy a clean environment. Together, the group identifies how these rights link directly to the British Values of Democracy, Rule of Law, Mutual Respect, Tolerance and Individual Liberty.
In a memorable and “handy” finale, pupils use their own hands to remember each British Value with each finger representing a different principle, from the little finger’s “Liberty” to the thumb’s “Democracy.” By the end of the session, children understand not only what their rights are, but how these values shape our shared community and protect fairness for all.
This assembly encourages pupils to reflect, participate and celebrate what it means to live in a country that values equality, freedom and respect, inspiring them to play their part in upholding these ideals every day.
British Values Drama Workshop – Living Our Rights and Responsibilities (Follows the assembly)
Following the British Values Assembly, this creative workshop takes pupils on a deeper, hands-on exploration of what rights and values really mean through movement, teamwork and drama. Using imaginative games, group discussion and performance, children discover how the five British Values shape their everyday experiences at school and beyond.
The session begins with an introduction to Bigfoot’s promises, sanctions and rewards before pupils discuss the difference between a right and a want, and recap the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Together, they revisit the five British Values — Liberty, Respect, Mutual Tolerance, Rule of Law and Democracy and explore how these principles connect to fairness, freedom and kindness.
Energetic warm-up games like Stop/Clap/Go and Four Corners and the Middle Spot get everyone moving while reinforcing each British Value in a fun, physical way. Pupils then work in small groups to create frozen images (tableaux) showing both positive and negative examples of how values can be upheld or ignored. Through performance and feedback, they learn to identify what respect, freedom, fairness and inclusion look and feel like in action.
Building on these ideas, pupils use short improvisations to show how British Values are lived out in everyday school life, from having a say in what happens in school, to showing kindness, listening, and keeping one another safe. These short performances celebrate how small actions contribute to a stronger, more respectful community.
As an optional creative extension, pupils design a British Values Card, like a greeting card that shares the importance of these values with a family member or friend in another part of the country or world. They decorate their cards with images, colours and words that express what respect, freedom and friendship mean to them.
The workshop ends with a reflective activity where pupils freeze in different poses representing a moment they learned something new, helped someone, faced a challenge or had fun, encouraging self-awareness and empathy. Stickers are presented to celebrate everyone’s participation and achievements.
By the end of the session, pupils not only understand what British Values are, but have experienced them in action, recognising how respect, fairness and freedom help everyone feel safe, valued and included.
This assembly and workshop programme is perfect for any school that is undertaking their Rights Respecting Schools accreditation or simply to reinforce PSHE lessons.
30 minute assembly, followed by 1-hour workshops for up to 4 classes from KS1 & KS2.
