GOVERNMENT proposals to teach "core British values" have received a mixed response from MPs and education campaigners in York.

The plans - to teach free speech, democracy and the contribution made by

different communities, to all 11 to 16-year-olds - were announced yesterday by Higher Education Minister Bill Rammell.

They are part of a review commissioned in response to last July's London bombings and are intended to challenge extremism and foster social cohesion.

Mr Rammell said: "The essential values already taught in citizenship classes, like freedom, fairness, civil responsibilities, democracy, are there. But they are not developed and understood in the way they developed in terms of Britain's cultural and social history."

Nick Seaton, founder of the York-based Campaign for Real Education, said: "In theory, this is a move in the right direction - core British values of free speech, respect for others, fair play, good manners and justice should be taught to all youngsters, irrespective of their culture or religion."

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, said: "The values which shaped this country - such as decency, tolerance and fair play - are largely the result of the seeds of the Christian Gospel being planted in British soil, which have grown over the centuries. When taught, they need to be recognised as such."

York education chief Carol Runciman said: "I think this is a knee-jerk reaction to a recent problem.

"With citizenship in the curriculum, these issues are covered - although perhaps not in the way the Government is talking about.

"When I go into primary schools now, I find that the children are finding out about the democratic process in a way they never did before. The contribution of different cultures and communities is clearly taught in schools."

John Greenway, the Conservative MP for Ryedale, said he thought the issues should be put in an historical context.

"The issues need to be understood in the context of the genesis of the Human Rights Convention in 1951. Winston Churchill was basically the founder of the convention, and its intention was to ensure that people from different countries - and with different religions - wouldn't become subject to prejudice."

John Grogan, the Labour MP for Selby, said: "What I found most shocking about the London bombers is how British they seemed, in terms of their accents, their love of cricket and their sheer ordinariness.

"I think it would be good in schools to underline our values of tolerance, freedom, fair play and mutual respect.

"Perhaps we've come to take such values for granted, not appreciating that they have to be nurtured afresh in every generation."

GERRAN GRIMSHAW asked people in York whether they thought "core British

values" should be taught on the curriculum in schools:

Joan Rose, a pensioner, of Walmgate, York, said: "They should teach British values on the curriculum. Children should know what it is to be British."

Jonathan Woodward, 27, of Acomb, York, said: "I don't think it'll stop people getting radicalised. I don't think the kids will pay any attention to it."

George Gomez, 37, of South Bank, York, said: "I think that is a very good idea. The new generation don't know anything about values like respect. But it's not their fault - it's their parents'."

Kevin Deighton, 31, of Gillygate, said: "I wouldn't have thought it'd be necessary to teach them as part of the curriculum. Don't they cover the issues in citizenship classes already?"

Updated: 10:48 Tuesday, May 16, 2006