Courageous Advocacy
‘We create the spark that lights the fire’
What is courageous advocacy?
Courageous advocacy is defined by the Church of England as “the act of speaking out against an issue of injustice, often on behalf of those whose voice is not heard.” At Blakesley CE Primary School we encourage and support our children to become courageous advocates who believe that they can become ‘agents of change’ to strive towards a fairer and more joyous world. This means that they champion causes that are special and meaningful to them; connected to matters and concerns personal and close to home for them or linked to wider global issues.
Courageous Advocacy at Blakesley CE Primary School:
All acts of courageous advocacy at Blakesley CE Primary School are driven by our school’s Christian vision. Children act together with a purpose that people may live happily together in unity. Our Christian vision encompasses God’s vision that everyone should live well together. Courage is one of our core Christian values and is at the heart of all actions and decision making by children and adults.
In collective worship, RE lessons and other times of reflection and prayer, biblical references are explored to deepen children’s understanding and enable them to live out our Christian vision and values to serve others and enable themselves and others to flourish. Children learn how Jesus demonstrated values of courage, compassion, wisdom and fellowship, and are inspired to follow His example. Children and adults learn about the life of Jesus and God’s vision for the world and reflect on the message of the Bible in the context of their own character and actions.
Jesus spoke up for people who were disadvantaged, disempowered and ignored by their communities. Children are encouraged to reflect on Jesus’ actions and teachings to inform their own values, judgements and courageous choices. Other learning experiences, including, PSHE lessons and learning about British values, enables children to grow in character and independence, develop their sense of respect and justice, and grow in courage “to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves” (Proverbs 31:8).
The Church of England also promotes the Christian values of wisdom, community and dignity as key values associated with courageous advocacy. For more insight into the theology behind courageous advocacy, refer to section 1 in the Church of England document, ‘Courageous Advocacy’.
At Blakesley CE Primary School, aspirational teaching encourages and challenges children to be their best selves, to take pride in their work, and to be positive members of the school and wider communities. Lessons and experiences across the curriculum, opens the children’s eyes to an understanding of the world, their place in it and how they can act to make positive changes for their local and global communities. Children learn about their own and other communities and world events and issues. They learn about people in history and present day who have shown courage and compassion whilst acting courageously to make the world a better place. This offers children hope and the tenacity to succeed in their endeavours.
Driven by our aim for our children to ‘create the spark that lights the fire’, staff encourage the children to become ‘agents of change’, championing causes which are especially meaningful for the children themselves. Children research charities and causes that they feel particularly drawn towards, often issues linking to their own lived experiences. The children immerse themselves in fact-finding, debate, planning and taking courageous actions to make a positive difference to the school environment, local and/or global communities. Staff equip the children with skills to research, discuss, challenge, confidently voice their views and opinions, convince others to support their cause, and to become active citizens now and for the future. Children talk passionately about the actions they take and the impact it has on others as well as themselves.
‘Carry One another’s burdens. And in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ.’ (Galatians 6:2)
“If the purpose of education is the promotion of life in all its fullness and human flourishing, then this must, by necessity, involve developing young people who can learn to flourish in every aspect of their lives – young people who can work for the flourishing of others and for the planet we share.” (Church of England ‘Courageous Advocacy’)
Courageous Advocacy Projects:
Our courageous advocacy projects are a step beyond a national awareness day or general fundraising event. Each class at Blakesley CE Primary School will start with a stimulus text and, following discussion of the themes within the text, children will identify a cause which resonates with them. The children will ask questions, research facts, share ideas about how they might take action, and how they are being empowered to begin on their journey as agents of change.
The Church of England sets out an example plan of steps that may be pursued by pupils as they plan and take action:
Step 1: Identify a problem or issue you care about
Step 2: Investigate as much as you can so you understand: consider all views
Step 3: Work out what could be done to change or improve it
Step 4: Identify the people with influence to make those changes
Step 5: Consider whose help you might use to make your voice more persuasive
Step 6: Persuade those with power to make changes to do something about it
Encouraged and supported by adults, the children at Blakesley CE Primary School will engage in a range of strategies to raise awareness, influence the community to understand and perhaps get on board, as well as engaging with key decision makers; for example, the school governors, local MP and businesses. To safeguard the children, staff support them by leading them to consider the possible outcomes of their actions and ensuring that they take into account law, school policies and procedures, ethical and safety considerations. Teachers also take guidance from Christian Aid about the best ways forward for courageous advocacy and activism in schools.
An essential part of the courageous advocacy process is for the children to reflect upon and evaluate the impact of their actions. Throughout the year, children will share their progress and achievements with their courageous advocacy projects in class and with the school community through collective worship, displays, the School Council, school website and newsletters.
