Tolerance Assembly for Primary Schools – British Values
This tolerance assembly for primary schools explores the importance of respecting people with different faiths and beliefs. Through a simple ‘Different Shoes – Same Journey’ activity, discussion and reflection, pupils consider why being different does not make one person or belief better than another. Children explore tolerance as one of the five fundamental British Values and think about how acceptance, kindness and respect can help people with different beliefs live alongside one another.
Suitable for EYFS, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.
This assembly can be used on its own or alongside our Introduction to the Five British Values assembly, which introduces democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance.
What does tolerance mean?
Tolerance means recognising and respecting the beliefs and choices of other people, including when they are different from our own.
For children, this does not mean that everybody has to think, believe or behave in exactly the same way. Instead, pupils can begin to understand that disagreement and difference are normal parts of living in a diverse society.
This assembly introduces the vocabulary of tolerance, religion, equality and acceptance before asking children to consider whether it matters if people disagree.
It provides a child-friendly way to explore tolerance as part of the wider British Values that children encounter throughout primary school.
How does the assembly teach tolerance?
The assembly introduces tolerance through a simple idea: ‘Different Shoes – Same Journey’.
Children look at a variety of shoes and consider their differences. Some might be designed for sport, some for school and others for particular weather or activities. Although they look different, they all have a similar purpose.
This becomes a metaphor for people and their beliefs. Just as we do not all need to wear the same shoes, we do not all need to share the same beliefs. Difference does not mean that one person is better than another.
The activity leads naturally into discussion about different religions and worldviews, helping children recognise that people can have very different beliefs while still sharing communities, experiences and values.
Why is tolerance important in primary schools?
Primary schools bring together children, families and staff with a wide variety of backgrounds, beliefs and experiences. Learning how to respect those differences is an important part of helping children live positively alongside others.
Tolerance encourages pupils to listen to different viewpoints, treat people fairly and recognise that someone does not have to agree with them to deserve kindness and respect.
The assembly introduces children to Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Judaism, Humanism and atheism as examples of the different religions and beliefs they may encounter.
These discussions also provide a natural opportunity to explore the closely connected British Value of Mutual Respect, helping children understand that our response to difference should go beyond simply noticing it.
What is tolerance of different faiths and beliefs?
Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs means respecting people's right to hold beliefs that may be different from our own.
Children may encounter religious and non-religious beliefs within their classroom, friendship groups and wider community. Understanding that these differences exist can help pupils become more accepting and respectful of others.
During the assembly, children consider whether some choices are ‘better’ than others and whether disagreement really matters. The aim is not to teach that everybody must agree, but to help pupils understand that people can disagree while continuing to treat one another fairly and kindly.
Schools exploring this area in greater depth may also find our British Values assemblies and resources useful for making connections between tolerance, respect, individual liberty and equality.
Is tolerance the right word to use?
This assembly also gives older pupils an opportunity to think more deeply about the word ‘tolerance’ itself.
A reflection built around a quote from Abhijit Naskar asks children whether simply tolerating somebody is enough or whether acceptance might be a better goal.
This creates an opportunity for pupils to move beyond learning a definition of a British Value and begin questioning what it looks like in practice.
Is it enough simply to put up with somebody who is different? Or should we actively accept, respect and value those differences?
This deeper question makes the assembly particularly adaptable across the primary age range, with younger children focusing on kindness and accepting differences while older pupils can explore the language and ideas in greater depth.
What does the Bible teach about respecting different beliefs?
For schools choosing to use the optional collective worship elements, this assembly links tolerance to the story of the Good Samaritan.
Jesus teaches his followers to “love your neighbour as yourself”. In the story, an injured Jewish man is helped by a Samaritan despite the differences and tensions that existed between their communities.
The story reinforces the message that different beliefs should not prevent us from treating somebody with kindness.
It also provides a natural connection with our Good Samaritan assembly and collective worship resources, allowing schools to explore the story and its messages about kindness, compassion and respect in greater depth.
The optional collective worship section finishes with a simple prayer asking children to see beyond difference, act kindly, speak fairly and allow their hearts to grow.
This tolerance assembly includes:
A ready-to-use PowerPoint
A clear, easy-to-follow assembly structure
A ‘Different Shoes – Same Journey’ activity
An introduction to tolerance of different faiths and beliefs
Key vocabulary including tolerance, religion, equality and acceptance
Discussion and reflection questions
Examples of different religions and worldviews
Optional collective worship slides
A Bible link to the Good Samaritan
A short prayer
Suggestions for extending the learning throughout the week
FAQs
What are the five British Values?
The five British Values are democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. This assembly focuses specifically on tolerance. Our Introduction to the Five British Values assembly can be used to introduce all five values before exploring each one individually.
What does tolerance mean for primary school children?
Tolerance means understanding that other people may have beliefs, opinions or experiences that are different from our own and treating them with respect. Children do not always have to agree with one another, but they can still be kind, fair and accepting.
How does this assembly explore different religions and beliefs?
Children are introduced to examples including Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Judaism, Humanism and atheism. These are used to demonstrate the range of beliefs people may hold rather than to teach the individual beliefs of each group.
Is this tolerance assembly suitable for EYFS, KS1 and KS2?
Yes. The assembly is suitable for EYFS, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. Younger children can focus on the simple idea that being different does not make somebody better or worse, while older pupils can explore more challenging questions around tolerance, acceptance and religious difference.
Does the assembly include collective worship?
Yes. Optional collective worship slides use the Good Samaritan to explore kindness between people with different beliefs. A short prayer and opportunities for further reflection are also included.
Do I need to plan anything for this assembly?
No, all of our assemblies are ready-to-deliver. Simply download, read the plan and deliver. You can use the shoe images already included in the presentation or bring in a selection of real shoes to make the opening activity even more engaging.
Looking for more British Values assemblies?
Explore our full range of British Values assemblies for primary schools, including ready-to-use resources covering democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance. You can also start with our Introduction to the Five British Values assembly for a simple overview of all five values.
All assemblies include ready-to-use PowerPoint slides, discussion and reflection activities, with optional collective worship content.
Explore all British Values assemblies and make planning your next whole-school assembly quick and easy.
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