Courageous Advocacy

What is a Courageous Advocate?

A courageous advocate is someone who stands up for what is right, even when it’s hard. They speak up for others, help people in need, and try to make the world a better place.

It takes courage to keep going when things are difficult and to speak out when you see something unfair. But that’s how change happens—and anyone can be a courageous advocate!

Courageous Advocacy at Milton St John’s

At Milton St John’s C of E Primary School, we aim to support and encourage our children to become courageous advocates—not just locally, but also nationally and globally.

At some point in life, we will all face challenges and need support to overcome them. We teach our children that it is important to help others, regardless of where they come from or what their challenges may be.

We promote this message in many ways:

• Through our core school values
• Through links to the Bible
• In Collective Worship
• By learning about other faiths and worldviews
• Through the wider curriculum, where we study other courageous advocates

We want our children to develop the confidence to discuss and debate big ideas, to challenge injustice, and to engage in meaningful activities that can bring about change.

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."
— Proverbs 31:8–9

It is important for our children to recognise their role as part of a wider community: to take responsibility, to care for themselves and others, and to understand the importance and impact of their actions.

One example of this in action is the Eco Refill Shop, which is run by children who are passionate about reducing waste and promoting sustainability—demonstrating how pupils can make real and lasting change.

Raising Awareness and Supporting Others

In recent years, our school community has come together to support a wide range of causes, helping to raise both awareness and vital funds. These include:

• Mossley Foodbank
• Sports Relief
• Comic Relief
• Children in Need
• Teenage Cancer Trust
• Royal British Legion
• Willow Wood Hospice
• Cancer Research UK
• Macmillan Cancer Support

Making a Local and Global Impact

We aim to help our children develop a deep understanding of what it means to belong—to a local community, to a school family, and to a global world. We want them to recognise that with belonging comes responsibility: to care for people and the planet.

We demonstrate this through:

• Links with local care homes and charities (e.g. Emmaus, Mossley Foodbank, and wildlife rescue groups)
• Supporting charities that are significant to our children and their families (such as Macmillan, Cancer Research UK, and Teenage Cancer Trust)
• The School Council, which gathers pupil voice and helps to implement ideas and improvements
• A vibrant and active PTA, leading events such as summer fairs, discos, and film nights
• Our weekly newsletter, which shares community updates and promotes local initiatives
• Litter-picking activities in partnership with Mossley Litterbugs
• Children writing letters in support of local residents campaigning to protect green spaces

Our Vision for the Future

We want every child at Milton St John’s to develop a strong sense of belonging, responsibility, and purpose. By encouraging them to think globally and act locally, we help them understand that they have the power to influence positive change.

Through courageous advocacy, our pupils learn that their actions—no matter how small—can truly make a difference.