Justice, Responsibility and Courageous Advocacy

At St. Edmund’s, our Christian vision calls us to “Let your light shine” (Matthew 5:16). We believe that each person has been given gifts, talents and a voice that can be used not only for themselves, but to bring light, hope and positive change to the lives of others.

Our values of Love, Courage, Trust and Respect help our children understand that being part of a Christian community brings responsibilities. We want pupils to notice the world around them, recognise when something is unfair or unjust, and have the confidence and compassion to respond.

Through our spirituality curriculum, children are encouraged to look through Windows, reflect through Mirrors and step through Doors. Justice, responsibility, service and courageous advocacy provide important opportunities for pupils to step through those Doors and put their beliefs and values into action.

What is courageous advocacy?

A courageous advocate is someone who is prepared to stand up for what is right, speak up for others and take action to make a difference.

At St. Edmund’s, we want our children to understand that their age does not prevent them from creating change. Whether they are helping someone within our school community, supporting a local cause, raising awareness of a national issue or thinking about challenges facing people across the world, every child can allow their light to shine.

Children learn that courageous advocacy is not simply about raising money. It begins with asking questions:

• What is happening?

• Why is it happening?

• Is it fair?

• Who is affected?

• What could we do about it?

• How can we use our voices, choices and actions to make a difference?

Through collective worship, Religious Education, PSHE and the wider curriculum, pupils explore issues including poverty, inequality, homelessness, conflict, discrimination, environmental responsibility and the needs of their local community.

They are encouraged to listen to different perspectives, develop empathy and consider how Christian teachings about love, justice, compassion and service might influence the way they respond.

Turning belief into action

Throughout their time at St. Edmund’s, children have opportunities to translate what they have learned into meaningful action.

This may include:

• supporting local, national and international charities;

• collecting food and other essential items for people in need;

• raising awareness of issues that matter to them;

• organising fundraising activities;

• supporting our local community and church;

• caring for the environment;

• writing to people in positions of influence;

• leading projects and campaigns within school; and

• identifying ways in which our school community itself can become fairer, kinder and more sustainable.

Wherever possible, initiatives are not simply chosen for our children. We encourage pupils to identify issues that matter to them, suggest ways of responding and take an active role in making those ideas happen.

Justice and responsibility

We want pupils to understand that justice means more than treating everybody in exactly the same way. It means recognising the dignity and value of every person and thinking carefully about what people need in order to flourish.

Responsibility means recognising that each of us has a part to play.

Our children learn that seemingly small choices — including how we treat someone, what we say, what we buy, what we waste, what we protect and whether we speak up — can have an impact on other people and on the world around us.

This reflects our Christian understanding that we are called to love our neighbours and to use what we have been given in the service of others.

Caring for God’s world

Responsibility also extends to the natural world.

Through curriculum learning, outdoor education and practical environmental action, pupils consider their responsibility as stewards of God’s creation. They learn about issues such as climate change, biodiversity, waste and sustainability and consider practical ways in which individuals and communities can respond.

Children are encouraged to recognise that caring for creation is not something separate from our Christian vision; it is another way in which we can allow our light to shine.

Making a difference

Our aim is for children to leave St. Edmund’s believing that they are not too young to make a difference.

We want them to become thoughtful and compassionate citizens who notice injustice, think critically about the world around them and have the courage to act.

By showing Love, demonstrating Courage, building Trust and treating others with Respect, our pupils learn that they can help the lights of others to shine too.

In doing so, they discover that “Let your light shine” is not simply something we say. It is something we are called to live.