Books & Stories This Ruby’s Worry assembly uses Tom Percival’s much-loved picture book to explore worries and the courage it can take to talk about how we are feeling. Designed for EYFS and Key Stage 1, the assembly combines storytelling, discussion and reflection to help children recognise that worries are something we all experience and that talking to somebody we trust can help. Assembly Theme: COURAGE Suitable for: EYFS and Key Stage 1 This resource is part of our Tom Percival assemblies for primary schools and our wider collection of Books & Stories assemblies, using brilliant children’s literature as a starting point for exploring values, feelings and experiences. What is Ruby’s Worry about? Ruby’s Worry tells the story of a happy and adventurous little girl who one day discovers a Worry. At first the Worry is quite small, but the more Ruby tries to ignore it, the bigger it becomes. Before long, it follows her everywhere and begins to stop Ruby enjoying the things she normally loves. Eventually, Ruby discovers that talking about her Worry can make a difference. Like many of the books featured in our Books & Stories assembly collection, the story gives children a safe and accessible way to explore an important subject through the experiences of a character. How does the assembly explore courage? Courage does not always mean doing something dramatic or fearless. Sometimes courage can be as simple as telling somebody that something is bothering us. Children consider why talking about our worries can sometimes feel difficult, who we might speak to when something is troubling us and how sharing our feelings with somebody we trust can help. The assembly does not ask children to disclose their own worries publicly. Instead, Ruby’s story provides some distance, allowing children to explore the theme while thinking about what they could do if they needed help. This makes Ruby’s Worry a particularly useful addition to our primary school assemblies about values, showing children a quieter, everyday example of what courage can look like. Using books to explore big ideas Picture books can provide a brilliant starting point for primary school assemblies. Children can explore feelings, choices and relationships through a character before being invited to think about what the story might mean for them. Our Books & Stories assemblies for primary schools take familiar and engaging books and use them to open up conversations about values and experiences that matter to children. Ruby’s Worry focuses on courage and worries, while other assemblies in the collection explore themes including honesty, acceptance, friendship, self-control and belonging. What is included? The ready-to-use assembly includes a PowerPoint presentation and accompanying instructions, with key vocabulary, an introductory activity, opportunities for discussion, reflection questions and a final thought for children to take away. As with all of our ready-to-use primary school assemblies, the planning is built into the presentation so that teachers can quickly see what to do and adapt the assembly for their own children. Optional Christian collective worship slides are also included and can simply remain hidden when they are not required. Collective Worship The optional collective worship section links Ruby’s experience to Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. Children explore the idea that Jesus experienced worry and distress and consider what Christians might learn from the story about difficult feelings, prayer and asking for help. The section includes a simple Bible link, opportunities for reflection and a short WORRY prayer. Schools looking specifically for worship resources can also explore our collective worship plans for primary schools . Do I need a copy of Ruby’s Worry? Yes. This assembly has been designed to be used alongside a copy of Ruby’s Worry by Tom Percival. The presentation does not reproduce the book or replace the original story. Instead, the activities, questions and reflections help you build an assembly around it. If you enjoy using children’s literature in this way, you can find more titles in our Books & Stories primary assembly collection. About Tom Percival Tom Percival is a British author and illustrator whose picture books often explore feelings, relationships and experiences children encounter as they grow up. His stories approach important subjects in an accessible and child-friendly way, making them particularly useful as starting points for discussion and reflection with younger children. Books including Ruby’s Worry, Perfectly Norman and Meesha Makes Friends explore themes such as worries, acceptance, friendship and belonging. We have brought six of his books together in our growing Tom Percival assembly collection, with each assembly focusing on a different value. Explore more Tom Percival assemblies Ruby’s Worry is one of six Tom Percival books featured in this collection: Finn’s Little Fibs – Honesty Perfectly Norman – Acceptance Milo’s Monster – Friendship Ravi’s Roar – Self-Control Meesha Makes Friends – Belonging Looking for your next assembly? Explore our Books & Stories assemblies for more resources using children’s literature to explore important themes and values. Or browse all primary school assembly plans to discover ready-to-use resources across Books & Stories, Famous Faces, British Values, Faith Heroes and Times & Places. Assembly Resources:

Books & Stories This Finn’s Little Fibs assembly uses Tom Percival’s engaging picture book to explore honesty, telling the truth and what we can do when we get things wrong. Designed for EYFS and Key Stage 1, the assembly combines storytelling, discussion and reflection to help children understand how a small fib can sometimes grow into a bigger problem – and why being honest, owning up and trying to put things right matters. Assembly Theme: HONESTY Suitable for: EYFS and Key Stage 1 This resource is part of our Tom Percival assemblies for primary schools and our wider collection of Books & Stories assemblies, using brilliant children’s literature as a starting point for exploring values, feelings and experiences. What is Finn’s Little Fibs about? Finn’s Little Fibs tells the story of Finn, who tells a little fib. But that fib doesn’t simply disappear. As one fib leads to another, Finn discovers that being dishonest can have consequences he did not expect. The story gives younger children an accessible way to explore why we sometimes find it difficult to tell the truth and what can happen when we try to cover up something we have done. Like many of the books featured in our Books & Stories assembly collection, the story allows children to explore an important issue through a character rather than immediately having to talk about their own experiences. How does the assembly explore honesty? Being honest can be easy when everything is going well. It can be much harder when telling the truth means admitting that we have done something wrong. This assembly helps children think about why somebody might tell a fib, how one small lie can sometimes lead to another and why owning up can take courage. Most importantly, the focus is not simply on catching somebody telling a lie. Children are encouraged to think about what happens next: being honest, taking responsibility and trying to put things right. This makes Finn’s Little Fibs a useful addition to our primary school assemblies about values, giving younger children a practical and relatable way to explore honesty. Using books to explore big ideas Picture books provide a brilliant starting point for exploring values with younger children. Stories allow children to think about choices and consequences through the experiences of characters before considering what those ideas might mean in their own lives. Our Books & Stories assemblies for primary schools use carefully chosen books to open up conversations about values, feelings, relationships and the everyday situations children encounter. Finn’s Little Fibs focuses on honesty, while other assemblies in our Tom Percival collection explore courage, acceptance, friendship, self-control and belonging. What is included? The ready-to-use assembly includes a PowerPoint presentation and accompanying instructions, with key vocabulary, opportunities for discussion, reflection questions and a final thought for children to take away. As with all of our ready-to-use primary school assemblies, the planning is built into the presentation so that teachers can quickly see what to do and adapt the assembly for their own children. Optional Christian collective worship slides are also included and can simply remain hidden when they are not required. Collective Worship The optional collective worship section links the theme of honesty to the Bible story of Zacchaeus. Children discover that Zacchaeus had not always treated people honestly. After meeting Jesus, he recognised what he had done and chose not only to own up but also to try to put things right. The story provides a simple link back to Finn: when we get something wrong, we can be honest about it, take responsibility and think about what we can do next. The section includes a three-part Zacchaeus comic, opportunities for reflection and a simple prayer activity. Schools looking for further worship resources can also explore our collective worship plans for primary schools. Do I need a copy of Finn’s Little Fibs? Yes. This assembly has been designed to be used alongside a copy of Finn’s Little Fibs by Tom Percival. The presentation does not reproduce the book or replace the original story. Instead, the activities, questions and reflections help you build an assembly around it. If you enjoy using children’s literature in this way, you can find more titles in our Books & Stories primary assembly collection. About Tom Percival Tom Percival is a British author and illustrator whose picture books often explore feelings, relationships and experiences children encounter as they grow up. His stories approach important subjects in an accessible and child-friendly way, making them particularly useful as starting points for discussion and reflection with younger children. Books including Ruby’s Worry, Perfectly Norman and Meesha Makes Friends explore themes such as worries, acceptance, friendship and belonging. We have brought six of his books together in our growing Tom Percival assembly collection, with each assembly focusing on a different value. Explore more Tom Percival assemblies Finn’s Little Fibs is one of six Tom Percival books featured in this collection: Ruby’s Worry – Courage Perfectly Norman – Acceptance Milo’s Monster – Friendship Ravi’s Roar – Self-Control Meesha Makes Friends – Belonging Each assembly can be used independently, or use the collection to explore six different values through the work of one author. Looking for your next assembly? Explore our Books & Stories assemblies for more resources using children’s literature to explore important themes and values. Or browse all primary school assembly plans to discover ready-to-use resources across Books & Stories, Famous Faces, British Values, Faith Heroes and Times & Places. Assembly Resources:

Books & Stories This Perfectly Norman assembly uses Tom Percival’s uplifting picture book to explore acceptance, uniqueness and feeling comfortable with the things that make us who we are. Designed for EYFS and Key Stage 1, the assembly combines storytelling, discussion and reflection to help children recognise that everybody is different and that the things that make us unique are worth celebrating rather than hiding. Assembly Theme: ACCEPTANCE Suitable for: EYFS and Key Stage 1 This resource is part of our Tom Percival assemblies for primary schools and our wider collection of Books & Stories assemblies, using brilliant children’s literature as a starting point for exploring values, feelings and experiences. What is Perfectly Norman about? Perfectly Norman tells the story of Norman, who has always been perfectly ordinary until, one day, he suddenly grows a pair of wings. At first Norman enjoys his wonderful new wings, but he soon begins to worry about what other people might think. He tries to hide them beneath a big coat and discovers that hiding an important part of himself makes life much less enjoyable. Like many of the books featured in our Books & Stories assembly collection, Norman’s story provides a simple and engaging way for younger children to explore a much bigger idea. How does the assembly explore acceptance? Children are encouraged to think about the many different things that make each of us unique – from the things we enjoy and are good at to our personalities, interests and individual characteristics. The assembly explores the idea that we do not all need to be the same and that accepting ourselves can mean recognising the things that make us different as positive parts of who we are. Through Norman’s experience, children consider what can happen when we feel that we need to hide something about ourselves and why accepting our differences matters. This makes Perfectly Norman a useful addition to our primary school assemblies about values, giving younger children an accessible way to explore acceptance and individuality. Using books to explore big ideas Picture books can help children explore quite complicated ideas through characters and situations they can understand. Our Books & Stories assemblies for primary schools use carefully chosen children’s books to open up conversations about values, feelings, relationships and experiences that matter to children. Perfectly Norman focuses on acceptance, while the other assemblies in our Tom Percival collection explore courage, honesty, friendship, self-control and belonging. What is included? The ready-to-use assembly includes a PowerPoint presentation and accompanying instructions, with key vocabulary, an introductory activity, opportunities for discussion, reflection questions and a final thought for children to take away. As with all of our ready-to-use primary school assemblies, the planning is built into the presentation so teachers can quickly see what to do and adapt the assembly for their own children. Optional Christian collective worship slides are also included and can simply remain hidden when they are not required. Collective Worship The optional collective worship section uses words from Psalm 139: “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Children consider what Christians might understand by being “wonderfully made” and explore the belief that every person is unique, valued and loved by God. The Bible link connects naturally with Norman’s story and the idea that we do not need to hide the things that make us who we are. The section also includes an opportunity for reflection and a simple prayer activity. Schools looking for further worship resources can explore our collective worship plans for primary schools. Do I need a copy of Perfectly Norman? Yes. This assembly has been designed to be used alongside a copy of Perfectly Norman by Tom Percival. The presentation does not reproduce the book or replace the original story. Instead, the activities, questions and reflections help you build an assembly around it. If you enjoy using children’s literature in this way, you can find more titles in our Books & Stories primary assembly collection. About Tom Percival Tom Percival is a British author and illustrator whose picture books often explore feelings, relationships and experiences children encounter as they grow up. His stories approach important subjects in an accessible and child-friendly way, making them particularly useful as starting points for discussion and reflection with younger children. Books including Ruby’s Worry, Perfectly Norman and Meesha Makes Friends explore themes such as worries, acceptance, friendship and belonging. We have brought six of his books together in our growing Tom Percival assembly collection, with each assembly focusing on a different value. Explore more Tom Percival assemblies Perfectly Norman is one of six Tom Percival books featured in this collection: Ruby’s Worry – Courage Finn’s Little Fibs – Honesty Milo’s Monster – Friendship Ravi’s Roar – Self-Control Meesha Makes Friends – Belonging Each assembly can be used independently, or use the collection to explore six different values through the work of one author. Looking for your next assembly? Explore our Books & Stories assemblies for more resources using children’s literature to explore important themes and values. Or browse all primary school assembly plans to discover ready-to-use resources across Books & Stories, Famous Faces, British Values, Faith Heroes and Times & Places.

Books & Stories This Milo’s Monster assembly uses Tom Percival’s engaging picture book to explore friendship, jealousy and the difficult feelings that can sometimes appear within our friendships. Designed for EYFS and Key Stage 1, the assembly combines storytelling, discussion and reflection to help children understand that feeling jealous is completely normal. What matters is recognising those feelings and thinking carefully about how we respond to them. Assembly Theme: FRIENDSHIP Suitable for: EYFS and Key Stage 1 This resource is part of our Tom Percival assemblies for primary schools and our wider collection of Books & Stories assemblies, using brilliant children’s literature as a starting point for exploring values, feelings and experiences. What is Milo’s Monster about? Milo’s Monster explores what happens when Milo’s best friend, Jay, starts spending time with somebody new. Milo begins to experience jealousy, represented in the story by the Green-Eyed Monster. As those feelings grow, they begin to influence the way Milo thinks about his friendship. The story provides an accessible way for younger children to explore a feeling that can sometimes be difficult to talk about. Like many of the books featured in our Books & Stories assembly collection, it allows children to explore an important issue through a character rather than being expected to talk about their own friendships. How does the assembly explore friendship? This assembly starts by asking children to think about the qualities they might look for in a good friend before exploring what can happen when friendship becomes more complicated. Children consider feelings such as jealousy and being left out, while learning that experiencing these feelings does not make somebody a bad friend. Instead, the focus is on recognising our feelings and thinking about the choices we make because of them. Children are encouraged to consider kindness, trust and what it means to be a good friend even when friendship feels difficult. This makes Milo’s Monster a useful addition to our primary school assemblies about values, giving younger children a safe and relatable way to explore friendship. Using books to explore big ideas Picture books can provide a brilliant starting point for conversations about feelings and relationships that might otherwise be difficult to introduce. Our Books & Stories assemblies for primary schools use carefully chosen books to help children explore values, feelings and everyday experiences through engaging stories and characters. Milo’s Monster focuses on friendship and jealousy, while other assemblies in our Tom Percival collection explore courage, honesty, acceptance, self-control and belonging. What is included? The ready-to-use assembly includes a PowerPoint presentation and accompanying instructions, with key vocabulary, an introductory activity, opportunities for discussion, reflection questions and a final thought for children to take away. As with all of our ready-to-use primary school assemblies, the planning is built into the presentation so teachers can quickly see what to do and adapt the assembly for their own children. Optional Christian collective worship slides are also included and can simply remain hidden when they are not required. Collective Worship The optional collective worship section explores Proverbs 17:17: “A friend loves at all times.” Children consider what “at all times” might mean, including those moments when a friend plays with somebody else, when we feel left out or jealous, or when friendship simply feels difficult. The Bible link reinforces the idea that being a good friend is not only about the easy times. For Christians, friendship can involve choosing kindness and care even when our feelings are difficult. The section includes opportunities for reflection and a simple interactive prayer. Schools looking for further worship resources can explore our collective worship plans for primary schools. Do I need a copy of Milo’s Monster? Yes. This assembly has been designed to be used alongside a copy of Milo’s Monster by Tom Percival. The presentation does not reproduce the book or replace the original story. Instead, the activities, questions and reflections help you build an assembly around it. If you enjoy using children’s literature in this way, you can find more titles in our Books & Stories primary assembly collection. About Tom Percival Tom Percival is a British author and illustrator whose picture books often explore feelings, relationships and experiences children encounter as they grow up. His stories approach important subjects in an accessible and child-friendly way, making them particularly useful as starting points for discussion and reflection with younger children. Books including Ruby’s Worry, Perfectly Norman and Meesha Makes Friends explore themes such as worries, acceptance, friendship and belonging. We have brought six of his books together in our growing Tom Percival assembly collection, with each assembly focusing on a different value. Explore more Tom Percival assemblies Milo’s Monster is one of six Tom Percival books featured in this collection: Ruby’s Worry – Courage Finn’s Little Fibs – Honesty Perfectly Norman – Acceptance Ravi’s Roar – Self-Control Meesha Makes Friends – Belonging Each assembly can be used independently, or use the collection to explore six different values through the work of one author. Looking for your next assembly? Explore our Books & Stories assemblies for more resources using children’s literature to explore important themes and values. Or browse all primary school assembly plans to discover ready-to-use resources across Books & Stories, Famous Faces, British Values, Faith Heroes and Times & Places. Assembly Resources:

Books & Stories This Ravi’s Roar assembly uses Tom Percival’s engaging picture book to explore anger, self-control and some of the things we can do when strong feelings begin to take over. Designed for EYFS and Key Stage 1, the assembly combines storytelling, practical calming strategies, discussion and reflection to help children understand that feeling angry is completely normal. The important thing is learning how we can respond to that feeling. Assembly Theme: SELF-CONTROL Suitable for: EYFS and Key Stage 1 This resource is part of our Tom Percival assemblies for primary schools and our wider collection of Books & Stories assemblies, using brilliant children’s literature as a starting point for exploring values, feelings and experiences. What is Ravi’s Roar about? Ravi’s Roar follows Ravi as a frustrating day gradually becomes too much. Eventually, his anger takes over and Ravi turns into a roaring tiger. Being a tiger initially seems quite useful, but Ravi soon discovers that letting his anger control everything he does has consequences for both himself and the people around him. Like many of the books featured in our Books & Stories assembly collection, Ravi’s story gives children a safe and accessible way to explore a feeling they will all experience without asking them to share personal situations. How does the assembly explore self-control? The assembly starts from an important message: feeling angry is normal. Rather than telling children that they should not become angry, it helps them think about what they can do with that feeling. Children explore some simple calming strategies and consider how taking a little time to calm down can help us make better choices about what we say and do next. The assembly also explores what happens when our anger does get the better of us. Children consider the importance of taking responsibility, saying sorry, trying to put things right and having another go. This makes Ravi’s Roar a practical addition to our primary school assemblies about values, helping younger children understand self-control in situations they can recognise. Using books to explore big ideas Picture books can provide a brilliant starting point for conversations about strong emotions and the choices we make when experiencing them. Our Books & Stories assemblies for primary schools use carefully chosen books to help children explore values, feelings, relationships and everyday experiences through engaging stories and characters. Ravi’s Roar focuses on self-control and anger, while other assemblies in our Tom Percival collection explore courage, honesty, acceptance, friendship and belonging. What is included? The ready-to-use assembly includes a PowerPoint presentation and accompanying instructions, with key vocabulary, practical calming activities, opportunities for discussion, reflection questions and a final thought for children to take away. As with all of our ready-to-use primary school assemblies, the planning is built into the presentation so teachers can quickly see what to do and adapt the assembly for their own children. Optional Christian collective worship slides are also included and can simply remain hidden when they are not required. Collective Worship The optional collective worship section explores Proverbs 15:1: “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Children consider how the things we say when we are angry can make a difficult situation better or worse. The assembly then introduces three simple ideas: STOP – give yourself time to calm down; OWN IT – admit what you did or said; and REPAIR IT – say sorry and try to put things right. The section includes opportunities for reflection and a short prayer about stopping and thinking, saying sorry, trying again and giving other people another chance. Schools looking for further worship resources can explore our collective worship plans for primary schools. Do I need a copy of Ravi’s Roar? Yes. This assembly has been designed to be used alongside a copy of Ravi’s Roar by Tom Percival. The presentation does not reproduce the book or replace the original story. Instead, the activities, questions and reflections help you build an assembly around it. If you enjoy using children’s literature in this way, you can find more titles in our Books & Stories primary assembly collection. About Tom Percival Tom Percival is a British author and illustrator whose picture books often explore feelings, relationships and experiences children encounter as they grow up. His stories approach important subjects in an accessible and child-friendly way, making them particularly useful as starting points for discussion and reflection with younger children. Books including Ruby’s Worry, Perfectly Norman and Meesha Makes Friends explore themes such as worries, acceptance, friendship and belonging. We have brought six of his books together in our growing Tom Percival assembly collection, with each assembly focusing on a different value. Explore more Tom Percival assemblies Ravi’s Roar is one of six Tom Percival books featured in this collection: Ruby’s Worry – Courage Finn’s Little Fibs – Honesty Perfectly Norman – Acceptance Milo’s Monster – Friendship Meesha Makes Friends – Belonging Each assembly can be used independently, or use the collection to explore six different values through the work of one author. Looking for your next assembly? Explore our Books & Stories assemblies for more resources using children’s literature to explore important themes and values. Or browse all primary school assembly plans to discover ready-to-use resources across Books & Stories, Famous Faces, British Values, Faith Heroes and Times & Places. Assembly Resources:

Books & Stories This Meesha Makes Friends assembly uses Tom Percival’s thoughtful picture book to explore belonging, making friends and how we can help other people feel welcome and included. Designed for EYFS and Key Stage 1, the assembly combines storytelling, discussion and reflection to help children understand that people make friends in different ways. It also encourages them to think about the small things we can do to make it easier for somebody else to feel that they belong. Assembly Theme: BELONGING Suitable for: EYFS and Key Stage 1 This resource is part of our Tom Percival assemblies for primary schools and our wider collection of Books & Stories assemblies, using brilliant children’s literature as a starting point for exploring values, feelings and experiences. What is Meesha Makes Friends about? Meesha loves making things. Making friends, however, can sometimes be much more difficult. When Meesha finds herself struggling at a party, she discovers her own way of connecting with Josh. Through their shared interests, a new friendship begins to grow. The story gently explores the fact that social situations and making friends can feel different for different people. Like many of the books featured in our Books & Stories assembly collection, Meesha’s story gives children an accessible way to explore an important experience through a character rather than being expected to talk about their own friendships. How does the assembly explore belonging? The assembly begins by helping children discover how shared interests can provide a simple starting point for connecting with somebody else. Children then consider how people make friends in different ways. Some might find it easy to walk up and start talking, while others may need more time or find different ways to connect. Importantly, the assembly also turns the question around. Rather than focusing only on how we can make friends, children consider what we can do to help somebody else feel comfortable, welcome and included. This makes Meesha Makes Friends a useful addition to our primary school assemblies about values, helping younger children understand that belonging is something we can help create for others. Using books to explore big ideas Picture books can provide a brilliant starting point for conversations about friendship, inclusion and belonging. Our Books & Stories assemblies for primary schools use carefully chosen books to help children explore values, feelings, relationships and everyday experiences through engaging stories and characters. Meesha Makes Friends focuses on belonging, while the other assemblies in our Tom Percival collection explore courage, honesty, acceptance, friendship and self-control. What is included? The ready-to-use assembly includes a PowerPoint presentation and accompanying instructions, with key vocabulary, an interactive introductory activity, opportunities for discussion, reflection questions and a final thought for children to take away. As with all of our ready-to-use primary school assemblies, the planning is built into the presentation so teachers can quickly see what to do and adapt the assembly for their own children. Optional Christian collective worship slides are also included and can simply remain hidden when they are not required. Collective Worship The optional collective worship section explores Romans 15:7: “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you.” Children are invited to complete the sentence “You would know you were welcome if…” and consider some of the small actions that can help another person feel comfortable and included. The Bible link encourages children to think about what Christians might understand by welcoming and accepting others, connecting naturally with Meesha’s experience in the story. The section includes opportunities for reflection and a short prayer about noticing when somebody needs a friend and helping others feel welcome. Schools looking for further worship resources can explore our collective worship plans for primary schools. Do I need a copy of Meesha Makes Friends? Yes. This assembly has been designed to be used alongside a copy of Meesha Makes Friends by Tom Percival. The presentation does not reproduce the book or replace the original story. Instead, the activities, questions and reflections help you build an assembly around it. If you enjoy using children’s literature in this way, you can find more titles in our Books & Stories primary assembly collection. About Tom Percival Tom Percival is a British author and illustrator whose picture books often explore feelings, relationships and experiences children encounter as they grow up. His stories approach important subjects in an accessible and child-friendly way, making them particularly useful as starting points for discussion and reflection with younger children. Books including Ruby’s Worry, Perfectly Norman and Meesha Makes Friends explore themes such as worries, acceptance, friendship and belonging. We have brought six of his books together in our growing Tom Percival assembly collection, with each assembly focusing on a different value. Explore more Tom Percival assemblies Meesha Makes Friends completes our collection of six Tom Percival assemblies: Ruby’s Worry – Courage Finn’s Little Fibs – Honesty Perfectly Norman – Acceptance Milo’s Monster – Friendship Ravi’s Roar – Self-Control Together, the six assemblies use Tom Percival’s stories to explore courage, honesty, acceptance, friendship, self-control and belonging with EYFS and Key Stage 1 children. Looking for your next assembly? Explore our Books & Stories assemblies for more resources using children’s literature to explore important themes and values. Or browse all primary school assembly plans to discover ready-to-use resources across Books & Stories, Famous Faces, British Values, Faith Heroes and Times & Places. Assembly Resources:

Books & Stories This Izzy Gizmo assembly for primary schools uses the popular picture book by Pip Jones and Sara Ogilvie to explore the value of perseverance. Through Izzy’s attempts to invent, fix and create, pupils consider why things do not always work first time and why it is important to keep trying when something is difficult. Children reflect on their own experiences of perseverance and think about how encouragement can help others to keep going. This ready-to-use resource is part of our Books & Stories assemblies, using engaging children’s literature to explore values and meaningful questions with primary-aged children. What is Izzy Gizmo about? Izzy Gizmo tells the story of a young inventor who loves creating gadgets and machines. Her inventions do not always work as planned, but Izzy learns that mistakes and setbacks do not have to mean giving up. With encouragement from her grandad, she continues experimenting, adapting and trying again. The story gives children an accessible example of perseverance because Izzy experiences something familiar: trying hard at something and discovering that it still does not work. Our Books & Stories assemblies for primary schools use stories such as Izzy Gizmo to help children explore values through memorable characters, choices and experiences. How does Izzy Gizmo teach children about perseverance? Perseverance is the central value of this assembly. Children are introduced to the world of inventions before sharing the story. Key vocabulary including inventor, gadget, glitch, dismantle and tinker helps prepare pupils for the language they will encounter. Afterwards, children consider why Izzy kept going rather than giving up and why her grandad continued to encourage her. The message is simple: perseverance does not mean finding everything easy. It means continuing when something is difficult, learning from mistakes and being prepared to try again. This makes Izzy Gizmo particularly useful for a primary school assembly about perseverance, resilience or developing a positive attitude towards learning. Why is encouragement important when we are persevering? Izzy does not persevere entirely on her own. Her grandad encourages her when her inventions go wrong. The assembly asks children to consider why that encouragement matters and helps them think beyond their own perseverance. What can we do when somebody else is struggling? Can our words encourage someone to try again? Do we notice effort even when somebody has not succeeded yet? This makes the story particularly relevant to classroom life, where perseverance and encouragement can help create a positive attitude towards learning. How does the Izzy Gizmo assembly encourage reflection? Children are invited to think about a time when they persevered and did not give up, before considering how they felt when they eventually succeeded. The final challenge then turns the focus towards others: Can you notice someone who is persevering and encourage them to keep going? This gives children a simple way to put the value of perseverance into practice after the assembly. This Izzy Gizmo assembly includes: A ready-to-use PowerPoint A focus on perseverance and keeping going An introduction to inventions and inventors Key vocabulary linked to the story Time to share Izzy Gizmo Discussion questions about perseverance A focus on encouraging others Personal reflection A practical challenge for pupils FAQs Do I need a copy of Izzy Gizmo to deliver the assembly? Yes. The assembly includes dedicated time to read the story, so you will need access to a copy of Izzy Gizmo. Is this assembly suitable for a growth mindset theme? Yes. Although the main value is perseverance, the themes of making mistakes, trying again and learning when something does not work also fit naturally with work around growth mindset and positive attitudes to learning. Could I use this assembly as part of a curriculum topic? Yes. The inventions theme provides natural links with Design and Technology and STEM, while the picture book provides links with reading and English. Looking for more story-based assemblies? Explore our Books & Stories assemblies for primary schools for more ready-to-use resources that use children’s literature to explore important values. You can also discover more assemblies about perseverance or browse our full collection of primary school assemblies. Explore our Books & Stories assemblies and turn brilliant children’s books into meaningful whole-school discussion. If you do not have a copy of the book, visit our friends at Peters Books Assembly Resources:

British Values This Rule of Law assembly for primary schools explores accountability, responsibility and the consequences of our actions. Through a simple mirror activity, discussion and reflection, pupils consider what it means to take responsibility when they make a mistake. Children explore the Rule of Law as one of the five fundamental British Values and learn why it is important that everyone is accountable for their actions. Suitable for 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 the Rule of Law mean? The Rule of Law means that laws apply to everyone and that nobody should be above them. For primary-aged children, this big idea can be introduced through something much more familiar: taking responsibility for our own actions. Children understand that their school and classroom have rules. These rules help keep people safe, make expectations clear and ensure that everyone is treated fairly. When rules are broken, there may also be consequences. This assembly focuses particularly on accountability. Children learn that being accountable means owning up when we make mistakes, saying sorry and trying again, accepting the consequences of our actions and recognising when we have done the right thing. It provides a child-friendly way to explore the Rule of Law as part of the wider British Values that children encounter throughout primary school. How does the assembly teach accountability? At the heart of the assembly is a simple mirror activity. Children are asked what they see when they look into a mirror. At first, the answer seems obvious: we see our reflection. The assembly then develops this idea by encouraging pupils to think about seeing the person they are and taking an honest look at the choices they have made. We all make mistakes. Accountability is about being able to recognise those mistakes rather than blaming somebody else or pretending they did not happen. Children consider what they are responsible for and whether they have ever owned up to making a mistake. This helps make the Rule of Law relevant to children's everyday experiences rather than presenting it simply as a concept connected to courts, police and government. Why is the Rule of Law important? Laws help create a society in which people know what is expected of them and understand the consequences when those expectations are not met. One of the most important principles behind the Rule of Law is that it applies to everyone. The assembly emphasises that everyone is accountable for their actions. This includes ordinary citizens as well as rich and famous people and politicians. Nobody should be considered too important or powerful to be held accountable. For children, the same principle can be understood through school rules. If a rule exists, it should apply fairly rather than changing depending on who has broken it. This provides a natural connection with Democracy, another of the five British Values. Together, democracy and the Rule of Law help children begin to understand why societies need both a voice in how decisions are made and rules that apply fairly to everyone. What does accountability mean for children? Accountability means accepting responsibility for the things we do and the choices we make. For children, this might mean admitting that they broke something, apologising when they have hurt somebody's feelings or accepting a consequence after choosing to break a school rule. Accountability is not about expecting children never to make mistakes. Making mistakes is a normal part of growing and learning. Instead, it is about what happens next. Can we be honest about what happened? Can we say sorry when necessary? Can we accept the consequences? Most importantly, can we learn from what happened and make a better choice next time? The assembly finishes with a simple challenge: What will you take responsibility for today? How are choices and consequences connected? Every choice has the potential to lead to a consequence. Sometimes those consequences are positive. Making a kind choice might strengthen a friendship, while working hard at something might help us improve. Other choices can have negative consequences. If we deliberately break a rule, behave unkindly or make an unsafe decision, we may need to accept what happens as a result. The assembly uses a reflection about being free to make choices without being free from their consequences, encouraging children to think carefully about the relationship between freedom and responsibility. This creates a particularly strong link with Individual Liberty, helping children understand how two British Values work alongside one another. Individual liberty gives us important freedoms and choices, while the Rule of Law helps establish boundaries that protect everyone. Why is the Rule of Law important in primary schools? Schools provide children with everyday opportunities to experience rules, responsibilities and consequences. Classroom expectations, playground rules and behaviour policies all help pupils understand that communities work best when people know what is expected of them. Learning about the Rule of Law helps children move beyond simply following rules because an adult has told them to. They can begin to understand why rules exist, why they should be applied fairly and why we need to take responsibility when our own actions fall short of those expectations. Exploring this alongside our other British Values assemblies for primary schools helps pupils see how democracy, individual liberty, mutual respect, tolerance and the Rule of Law work together rather than existing as five separate ideas. What does the Bible teach about taking responsibility? For schools choosing to use the optional collective worship elements, this assembly links accountability to Galatians 6:5: “For each one should carry their own load.” The assembly explains that Paul was writing to early Christians about how they should live. Children consider the importance of supporting one another while still taking responsibility for their own actions. This provides a Christian connection to the assembly's central idea: other people can help us when things go wrong, but we still need to be honest about the choices we have made. The optional collective worship section concludes with a prayer asking for help to be honest when mistakes are made, take responsibility for our actions and work hard to do what is right. This Rule of Law assembly includes: A ready-to-use PowerPoint A clear, easy-to-follow assembly structure An engaging mirror activity An introduction to the Rule of Law A focus on accountability and responsibility Key vocabulary including consequence, accountable and reflection Discussion and reflection questions Opportunities to explore choices and consequences Optional collective worship slides A Bible link to Galatians 6:5 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 the Rule of Law and accountability. Our Introduction to the Five British Values assembly provides a simple starting point for exploring all five. What does the Rule of Law mean for primary school children? The Rule of Law means understanding that rules and laws exist for a reason, should apply fairly and have consequences when they are broken. For primary-aged children, this can be explored through familiar examples such as classroom and school rules. What does accountability mean for children? Accountability means taking responsibility for our own actions. This can include owning up when we make a mistake, saying sorry, accepting the consequences of our choices and trying to make a better choice next time. How does the Rule of Law link to individual liberty? Individual liberty gives people freedom to make choices, while the Rule of Law helps ensure those choices do not unfairly harm other people. Our Individual Liberty assembly for primary schools explores freedom, rights, choices and responsibility in greater depth. Is this Rule of Law assembly suitable for EYFS, KS1 and KS2? This assembly is designed for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. The mirror activity and familiar examples of making mistakes and accepting consequences make the ideas accessible to younger primary pupils, while older children can explore accountability and the principle that rules should apply fairly to everyone. Does the assembly include collective worship? Yes. Optional collective worship slides link accountability to Galatians 6:5 and the idea of taking responsibility for our own actions. A short prayer is 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. Everything required is included in the slides, although using a real mirror can make the opening activity particularly effective. 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, or explore our Democracy assembly for primary schools, Individual Liberty assembly for primary schools, Mutual Respect assembly for primary schools and Tolerance assembly for primary schools in greater depth. 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. Assembly Resources:

British Values This individual liberty assembly for primary schools explores the importance of freedom, choice and responsibility. Through an engaging ‘Would You Rather?’ activity, discussion and reflection, pupils consider the choices they are free to make and whether freedom means we can simply do anything we want. Children explore individual liberty as one of the five fundamental British Values and learn that having the freedom to choose also brings a responsibility to make good choices. 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 individual liberty mean? Individual liberty means having the freedom to make our own choices and live our lives without unnecessary restrictions. Children experience this freedom in many simple ways. They may choose what game to play, which book to read, who to spend time with or which hobbies and interests they want to pursue. These everyday examples provide an accessible starting point for understanding a much bigger idea: in a free society, people have rights and freedoms that allow them to make choices about their own lives. The assembly introduces key vocabulary including British Values, freedom, rights and responsibility, helping children understand that individual liberty involves both the freedom to choose and responsibility for the choices we make. It provides a child-friendly way to explore individual liberty as part of the wider British Values that children encounter throughout primary school. How does the assembly teach individual liberty? The assembly introduces individual liberty through a simple game of ‘Would You Rather?’ Children make choices between options such as eating fast food or fruit, playing football or reading a book, and playing computer games or riding a bike. There are no complicated political ideas to understand at this stage. Instead, children experience what it feels like to have the freedom to choose. The discussion then develops the idea further. Are all choices necessarily good choices? What might happen if we chose to eat fast food all the time? Having the freedom to choose something does not automatically mean that choosing it is always sensible. This helps pupils begin to understand that individual liberty is closely connected to personal responsibility. Does individual liberty mean we can do anything we want? Individual liberty gives people important freedoms, but those freedoms exist alongside rules, laws and responsibilities. The assembly asks children to consider two important questions: does the freedom to choose mean that you can do anything, and what would happen if there were no rules? These questions help children recognise that our choices can affect other people. We may be free to make decisions for ourselves, but our freedom should not be used to harm others or prevent them from enjoying their own rights and freedoms. This provides a natural connection with The Rule of Law, another of the five British Values. Rules and laws do not simply remove our freedom; they can also protect people's rights and allow everyone to enjoy their individual liberty safely. Why is individual liberty important in primary schools? Primary school provides children with many opportunities to practise making choices. They may decide which activity to complete, which book to borrow, what to play at lunchtime or whether to join a club. As children grow older, the number and importance of the choices they make also increases. Learning about individual liberty helps pupils understand that having choices is something to value, while also encouraging them to think carefully about the consequences of their decisions. Schools also play an important role in creating an environment where children feel safe to express their ideas, develop their own interests and make age-appropriate choices. Individual liberty therefore sits naturally alongside Mutual Respect, helping children recognise that their freedom and the freedoms of other people are equally important. How can children show individual liberty? Children demonstrate individual liberty whenever they make informed and responsible choices. This might involve choosing which activities they enjoy, expressing an opinion, deciding how to spend their free time or developing their own interests and talents. However, understanding individual liberty also means recognising that choices have consequences. Children can ask themselves whether a choice is safe, whether it might affect somebody else and whether it is the right thing to do. The assembly finishes with a deliberately simple question: What choices will you make today? This encourages pupils to take the idea of individual liberty away from the assembly and apply it to the real decisions they will make throughout their day. Why are freedom and responsibility connected? Freedom and responsibility go hand in hand. If we are free to make choices, we also need to accept responsibility for what happens because of those choices. For children, this can be seen in everyday situations. Choosing how to behave towards a friend, how much effort to put into a task or whether to follow an agreed rule can all have consequences. The assembly encourages children to think beyond simply asking, ‘Am I allowed to do this?’ and consider a more important question: ‘Is this a good choice?’ This connection between rights and responsibilities also makes individual liberty an important part of understanding the other British Values assemblies for primary schools, where pupils can explore how freedom works alongside democracy, laws, respect and tolerance. What does the Bible teach about making choices? For schools choosing to use the optional collective worship elements, this assembly links individual liberty to the story of Joshua. Towards the end of his life, Joshua gathers the Israelites and gives them a choice about whom they will serve. He makes his own decision clear but recognises that they must choose for themselves. The passage reinforces the central message of the assembly: having a choice matters, but so does choosing wisely. Children are also encouraged to reflect on the relationship between freedom and courage, before considering the choices they make in their own lives. The optional collective worship section concludes with a short prayer thanking God for the freedom to choose and asking for help to make good choices that lead to kindness. This individual liberty assembly includes: A ready-to-use PowerPoint A clear, easy-to-follow assembly structure An engaging ‘Would You Rather?’ activity An introduction to individual liberty Key vocabulary including freedom, rights and responsibility Discussion and reflection questions Everyday examples of choices and their consequences Optional collective worship slides A Bible link to the story of Joshua 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 individual liberty. Our Introduction to the Five British Values assembly provides a simple starting point for exploring all five. What does individual liberty mean for primary school children? Individual liberty means having the freedom to make choices about our own lives. For primary-aged children, this can be explored through everyday decisions while helping them understand that freedom also comes with responsibility. How does this assembly teach individual liberty? The assembly begins with a ‘Would You Rather?’ activity in which children make a series of simple choices. It then challenges pupils to consider whether every choice is necessarily a good one and whether being free means we can do anything we want. Is this individual liberty 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 making choices and understanding simple consequences, while older pupils can explore the relationship between freedom, rights, rules and personal responsibility in greater depth. How does individual liberty link to the rule of law? Individual liberty gives people freedom to make choices, while laws help ensure that those choices do not unfairly harm other people or restrict their freedoms. Our Rule of Law assembly for primary schools explores this British Value in greater depth. Does the assembly include collective worship? Yes. Optional collective worship slides use the story of Joshua to explore freedom of choice and the importance of choosing wisely. A short prayer is 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. The PowerPoint contains the activities, discussion questions, reflection and optional collective worship content needed for the session. 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, or continue the theme with our Democracy assembly for primary schools, Mutual Respect assembly for primary schools and Tolerance assembly for primary schools. 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. Assembly Resources:

British Values This mutual respect assembly for primary schools explores why the way we treat other people matters. Through the memorable idea of an ‘Invisible Backpack’, pupils consider how kind and unkind words can affect the feelings people carry with them. Children explore mutual respect as one of the five fundamental British Values and are encouraged to think about how kindness, compassion and consideration can make someone else’s load feel a little lighter. 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 mutual respect mean? Mutual respect means treating other people in the way we would like them to treat us. For primary-aged children, this can be understood through everyday actions. Listening when somebody else is speaking, using kind words, including others, recognising their feelings and accepting that other people may have different ideas are all ways of showing respect. The word ‘mutual’ is important because respect works both ways. We want other people to value our feelings, ideas and experiences, but we also have a responsibility to do the same for them. This assembly introduces children to vocabulary including mutual respect, emotions and consideration, helping pupils develop the language they need to talk about how their behaviour affects others. It provides a child-friendly way to explore mutual respect as part of the wider British Values that children encounter throughout primary school. How does the Invisible Backpack teach mutual respect? At the heart of this assembly is a simple idea: everyone carries an invisible backpack containing their feelings and emotions. When somebody is kind to us, offers a compliment, praises us or shows compassion, it can add something positive to our backpack. When somebody is rude, calls us an unkind name, mocks us or unfairly blames us, it can feel as though a heavy rock has been added instead. Children are encouraged to imagine that they cannot see what somebody else is already carrying. A person might arrive at school with worries, sadness or difficult experiences that nobody around them knows about. This makes the words and actions we choose even more important. The assembly uses the backpack metaphor to help children understand that showing mutual respect is not simply about following a rule to ‘be nice’. The way we treat somebody can have a genuine impact on how they feel. Why is mutual respect important in primary schools? Mutual respect is an important part of creating a school community in which children feel safe, valued and included. Children will not always agree with one another. They will have different personalities, interests, backgrounds and opinions. Showing mutual respect means recognising those differences while continuing to treat other people fairly and considerately. During the assembly, pupils think about how it feels when somebody uses unkind words about them and whether it is always easy to choose kind words ourselves. These discussions help children recognise that respect is something demonstrated through everyday choices. A compliment, a thank you, an invitation to join in or simply listening to somebody can all add something positive to another person’s ‘backpack’. The theme also connects naturally with Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs, another of the five British Values, where children can explore how respect applies when people have different beliefs and experiences. How can children show mutual respect? Children can demonstrate mutual respect in many small ways throughout the school day. They can listen when somebody else is speaking, use kind words, take turns, recognise other people’s feelings, include somebody who is alone and disagree without being rude or unkind. The assembly contrasts positive actions such as compliments, praise, thanks and compassion with behaviours including rudeness, mocking and unkind name-calling. This helps pupils recognise that mutual respect is not an abstract idea. It is something they can actively choose to demonstrate in their classroom, playground and wider community every day. The assembly finishes with a simple challenge: What kind things can you add to someone else’s backpack today? Why are kind words so powerful? Words can have a lasting effect on other people. The assembly uses a quote from Mother Teresa to encourage children to consider whether kind or unkind words are more powerful. Pupils are given time to reflect on the idea that even words which take only seconds to say can remain with somebody for much longer. This provides an opportunity for children to think about the language they use with friends, classmates and adults and consider whether their words are making somebody’s invisible backpack lighter or heavier. It also makes this assembly useful beyond a specific British Values focus. The themes of kindness, relationships and considering other people’s feelings can support wider work around behaviour, school values and positive relationships. Schools looking to explore these themes further may also find our Kindness assemblies for primary schools useful. What does the Bible teach about helping others? For schools choosing to use the optional collective worship elements, this assembly links mutual respect to Galatians 6:2: “Carry each other’s burdens.” The passage is taken from a letter written by Paul the Apostle to early Christians. In the assembly, a burden is explained as something a person carries that other people might not be able to see, such as an emotion or memory. This connects directly with the Invisible Backpack. We cannot always know what another person is experiencing, but we can still help to make their load lighter through kindness, listening, compassion and inclusion. The optional collective worship section includes a short prayer asking for help to notice when others are hurting and to show kindness, thoughtfulness, compassion and mutual respect. This mutual respect assembly includes: A ready-to-use PowerPoint A clear, easy-to-follow assembly structure An engaging Invisible Backpack activity An introduction to mutual respect Key vocabulary Discussion and reflection questions Practical examples of kind and unkind behaviour Optional collective worship slides A Bible link to Galatians 6:2 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 mutual respect. Our Introduction to the Five British Values assembly provides a simple starting point for exploring all five. What does mutual respect mean for primary school children? Mutual respect means treating other people in the way we would like to be treated ourselves. For children, this can include listening, using kind words, considering other people’s feelings, including others and showing respect even when they disagree. What is the Invisible Backpack activity? The Invisible Backpack is a simple metaphor for the feelings and emotions that people carry with them. Kind words and actions add positive things to the backpack, while unkind words can feel like adding heavy rocks. It helps children visualise the impact their behaviour can have on somebody else. Is this mutual respect assembly suitable for EYFS, KS1 and KS2? Yes. The assembly is suitable for EYFS, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. The Invisible Backpack provides a simple visual concept for younger children while the discussion and reflection questions allow older pupils to explore mutual respect and the impact of their behaviour in greater depth. Does the assembly include collective worship? Yes. Optional collective worship slides link the Invisible Backpack to Galatians 6:2 and the idea of carrying one another’s burdens. A short prayer is 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. The assembly can be delivered entirely using the included slides, although a backpack, cuddly toy and a few rocks can be used to bring the central activity to life. 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, or continue the theme with our Democracy assembly for primary schools and Tolerance assembly for primary schools. 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. Assembly Resources:

British Values This British Values assembly for primary schools provides a clear, child-friendly introduction to the five fundamental British Values: democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance. Through discussion, reflection and simple explanations, pupils explore what each value means and why shared values are important in school and wider society. Suitable for EYFS, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. The assembly is designed both to introduce the values and to revisit them with children who have encountered them before. This is an ideal starting point before exploring each value in greater depth through our British Values assemblies for primary schools. What are the five British Values? The five fundamental British Values are democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. For primary-aged children, these can seem like quite complicated ideas. This assembly introduces each value in simple language and connects them with situations children can recognise from their own lives. Pupils are first challenged to see how many of the five British Values they can remember before exploring what each one means. Teachers can spend more time on the values children are least confident about, making the assembly useful both as an introduction and as a refresher. Schools can then explore each value individually through our Democracy assemblies, Rule of Law assemblies, Individual Liberty assemblies, Mutual Respect assemblies and Tolerance assemblies. What does democracy mean for children? Democracy is about people having a voice and being involved in decisions. In primary schools, children can experience democracy through activities such as voting, choosing representatives for a school council, sharing their opinions and listening to the views of others. Understanding democracy helps children recognise that their voice matters, while also learning that decisions sometimes have to reflect the views of a wider group. Our Democracy assembly for primary schools can be used to explore this British Value in greater depth. What does the Rule of Law mean for children? The Rule of Law means that everyone follows the same laws and that those laws should apply fairly. Children can begin to understand this through the rules they encounter at school. Rules help to keep people safe, establish clear expectations and allow communities to work together successfully. The assembly explains that laws work in a similar way. When laws are broken there are consequences, and the law applies to everyone – including people who are important or powerful. Our Rule of Law assemblies for primary schools allow pupils to explore themes including rules, accountability, responsibility and consequences in greater depth. What does individual liberty mean for children? Individual liberty is about having freedom and being able to make our own choices. Children make choices every day: what they enjoy doing, which friends they spend time with, what they think about something or which interests they want to pursue. However, freedom also comes with responsibility. Our choices should not prevent other people from enjoying their own rights and freedoms. Our Individual Liberty assemblies for primary schools explore the relationship between freedom, choices, rights and responsibility in ways that are accessible to primary-aged children. What does mutual respect mean for children? Mutual respect means treating other people with kindness and consideration, including when they are different from us or when we disagree with them. In school, children can demonstrate mutual respect by listening, sharing, helping others, being fair and using kind words. Understanding mutual respect helps pupils recognise that living successfully alongside other people does not require everybody to think or behave in exactly the same way. Our Mutual Respect assemblies for primary schools provide further opportunities to explore kindness, relationships, emotions and the impact our words and actions can have on others. What does tolerance mean for children? Tolerance is about respecting people whose faiths, beliefs, cultures or experiences may be different from our own. Children will meet people with different ideas and beliefs throughout their lives. Learning about tolerance helps them understand that difference is a normal and valuable part of living in a diverse society. Tolerance does not mean that everybody has to agree. Instead, children can learn that we can have different opinions and beliefs while continuing to treat one another with fairness and respect. Our Tolerance assemblies for primary schools explore different faiths and beliefs, acceptance and the importance of respecting difference. Why are British Values important in primary schools? British Values provide children with some of the foundations they need to understand their place within school, their community and wider society. They encourage pupils to think about having a voice, following fair rules, making responsible choices, respecting other people and accepting differences. Importantly, the five values do not exist separately from one another. They frequently overlap. Individual liberty, for example, gives people important freedoms, while the Rule of Law helps protect those freedoms. Democracy gives people a voice, while mutual respect reminds us to listen to the voices of others. Tolerance helps us apply that respect when somebody's beliefs or experiences are different from our own. The assembly encourages children to consider whether having shared values is important and what the country might be like without them. This makes it a particularly useful assembly at the start of the school year, before moving on to individual British Values throughout the year. How can children demonstrate British Values in school? British Values are not simply ideas for children to remember. They can be demonstrated through everyday actions. Children might show democracy by listening to different opinions and taking part in a vote. They demonstrate the Rule of Law when they understand and follow fair rules. They exercise individual liberty when making responsible choices. They show mutual respect through kindness and consideration, and tolerance when they accept and respect differences. The assembly finishes by asking children to consider a simple question: Which British Value will you try to show in school today? This helps move the five British Values from abstract definitions to something pupils can actively demonstrate in their own school community. What does the Bible teach about British Values? For schools choosing to use the optional collective worship elements, this assembly links the five British Values to the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25–37. The resource draws connections between the story and several of the values. The people in the story have the freedom to choose whether to help, while the Samaritan demonstrates respect and cares for somebody from a different background. The assembly therefore provides an opportunity for children to consider how ideas such as freedom, respect, tolerance and doing what is right can be seen within a familiar Bible story. The optional collective worship section also includes a prayer and can be personalised by schools if required. This British Values assembly includes: A ready-to-use PowerPoint A clear introduction to all five British Values Child-friendly explanations of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance Key vocabulary Discussion questions Opportunities for paired discussion A reflection activity A final challenge for pupils Optional collective worship slides A Bible link to the Good Samaritan A short prayer A British Values poster for schools 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 provides an introduction to all five before schools explore them individually. Is this British Values assembly suitable for KS1 and KS2? Yes. The assembly is designed for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. Teachers can adapt the amount of explanation and discussion according to the age and prior knowledge of their pupils. When could I use this British Values assembly? It can be used at any point in the school year, but it is particularly useful at the beginning of a new academic year or before starting a series of assemblies focusing on the individual British Values. The assembly itself specifically suggests revisiting the five values at the start of the year. Does this assembly cover all five British Values? Yes. Children are introduced to democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance. The presentation allows teachers to focus particularly on the values pupils are least confident about. Does the assembly include collective worship? Yes. Optional collective worship slides use the Good Samaritan to make connections with several of the British Values. A prayer is also included, and the slides can be edited to suit your school. 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. The slides and supporting instructions are already prepared, although we recommend reading through the presentation beforehand. Looking for more British Values assemblies? Continue the learning with our full range of British Values assemblies for primary schools, with ready-to-use resources exploring each of the five values in greater depth. 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. Assembly Resources:

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. Assembly Resources: