Living Out Our Christian Vision

At Archbishop Cranmer Church of England Primary Academy, we believe that every child has the potential to make a positive difference in the world.

Rooted in our Christian vision, ‘Striving for life in all its fullness’ (John 10:10), courageous advocacy encourages children to recognise the needs of others, challenge injustice and take meaningful action to help make the world a better place.

Our Christian values of kindness, courage, trust, respect, thankfulness and responsibility inspire children to look beyond their own experiences and consider how they can show love and compassion towards others.

As a Take Care school, we encourage pupils to take care of themselves, each other and the world around them. Courageous advocacy is one way in which children put these values into practice, learning that their voices and actions matter.

Pupil Voice: Choosing Causes That Matter

An important feature of courageous advocacy at Archbishop Cranmer is that children have a voice in deciding which causes our school supports.

Pupils research charities and issues that matter to them before preparing presentations to explain their chosen cause to their classmates. Through discussion and a democratic vote, each class selects a charity to support.

Selected presentations are then shared in a whole-school assembly, where children have the opportunity to advocate for their chosen cause. A further school-wide vote determines our local and global whole-school charities.

This process encourages pupils to investigate issues, consider the experiences of others, communicate persuasively, listen respectfully and participate in democratic decision-making.

Our current whole-school charities are WWF and Nottingham City Hospital, alongside charities selected by individual classes.

By continuing to support their chosen causes over time, children have opportunities to deepen their understanding, build connections and recognise the importance of sustained commitment.

From Understanding to Action

We believe that courageous advocacy begins with understanding, rather than fundraising alone.

Across school, children are encouraged to follow four key steps:

1. Learn – Explore an issue, understand the challenges faced by others and consider why it matters.
2. Connect – Encounter the experiences and perspectives of others through visitors, stories, videos, messages or case studies.
3. Act – Decide how to respond, whether by raising awareness, speaking up, fundraising or making a practical difference.
4. Reflect – Consider what has been learned, the difference made and how these actions reflect our Christian vision and values.

Not every act of courageous advocacy involves raising money. We want children to recognise that sharing knowledge, challenging unfairness, showing compassion and encouraging others to act can be equally meaningful.

Courageous Advocacy in Action

Across Archbishop Cranmer, children have demonstrated their commitment to helping others through a range of pupil-led and class projects.

Toilet Twinning – Foundation and Year 1

Our youngest pupils have been learning about the importance of access to clean, safe toilets and how this affects health, dignity and education.

Through a cake sale, children raised enough money to twin two toilets – one in the Côte d'Ivoire and one in the Democratic Republic of the Congo – helping to change lives through access to safe sanitation.

Building on this work, Foundation and Year 1 are continuing to raise awareness through their World Toilet Day activities, including Wear Blue for the Loo and fundraising games.

These experiences help even our youngest children understand that small actions can contribute to meaningful change.

Raising Awareness and Supporting Others

Last academic year across school, classes have explored their own charitable causes and taken action in different ways:

• Year 2 pupils have led an assembly to raise awareness of their chosen cause, demonstrating that sharing knowledge and encouraging others to care is an important form of advocacy.
• Year 3 pupils have organised a games afternoon to raise funds.
• Year 4 collected and delivered donations of food, towels and toys to the RSPCA, putting their concern for animal welfare into practical action.
• Year 5 pupils have developed their own initiatives, including growing plants from seed and organising a plant sale.

Year 4 pupils have recently led an assembly about Mercy Ships, helping others understand how access to healthcare can transform lives.

Caring for Our Global Neighbours

Our charitable work encourages children to recognise that we belong to a global community and share a responsibility to care for others.

Year 6 pupils have raised money to support wildlife conservation through WWF, including sponsoring two animals.

Through our Harvest celebrations, our school community has also collected donations for Newark Women's Refuge, providing practical support for people experiencing difficult circumstances.

These opportunities encourage children to consider how compassion, generosity and responsibility can be expressed through meaningful action.

Our Class and Whole-School Charities

Each class has a chosen charity, providing opportunities to develop understanding and take action in ways that are appropriate to pupils' ages and interests.

• Foundation and Year 1: Toilet Twinning
• Year 2: WaterAid
• Year 3: Heart Link
• Year 4: Mercy Ships
• Year 5: RSPCA
• Year 6: Reach Learning Disability

Our whole-school charities are WWF and Nottingham City Hospital.

These partnerships provide a focus for learning about local, national and global issues. Children are encouraged to develop a deeper understanding of the causes they support, rather than viewing charitable giving as a one-off event.

Christian Leadership and Service

Courageous advocacy is closely connected to our wider approach to pupil leadership, service and Christian distinctiveness.

Our pupil leaders help shape school life and provide opportunities for children to take responsibility, express their views and contribute to their community.

Our Distinctiveness Ministers support the Christian life of our school through initiatives such as 30 Acts of Lent, Thy Kingdom Come, Cranmer Connect and collective worship. These experiences encourage children to consider how Christian teachings and values can inspire their relationships and actions.

Through Religious Education, collective worship, Picture News and wider curriculum opportunities, pupils explore issues such as fairness, justice, compassion, responsibility and care for the environment.

We encourage children to recognise that courageous advocacy is not limited to organised projects: it can also be demonstrated through everyday choices, speaking up for others and taking responsibility for the world around them.

The Difference We Make

We celebrate the difference children make through their actions, but we also recognise the importance of the learning and reflection that takes place along the way.

Fundraising has enabled pupils to support charitable projects, whilst awareness-raising assemblies and practical initiatives have encouraged others to consider important issues.

Our school has also received correspondence from charities and organisations supported by pupils, helping children recognise that their efforts are valued beyond the school community.

Most importantly, we want children to leave Archbishop Cranmer understanding that they have a voice, that they can stand up for what is right and that even small actions can make a difference.

Through courageous advocacy, we seek to nurture compassionate, responsible and courageous young people who are inspired to help others experience life in all its fullness.