As Jesus advocated courageously for those who others dismissed, we want to ‘act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God’ (Micah 6:8) in order to serve and help and support.

For us as a Federation, Courageous advocacy is the act of speaking up for a cause or issue that one believes in, or the process of engaging with issues in our community and the world in order that we might have a positive impact in some way.

This type of advocacy involves taking action to create positive change, whether through awareness-raising, influencing decision-makers, promoting lifestyle changes, or engaging in community projects.

We aim to give a voice to those excluded or unheard – our students and staff bring issues close to their hearts to educate and share their experiences.

We arrange visits to projects or invite visitors to speak to us in order for us to be deeply challenged.

We decide actions and deliver on what we promise – whether this involves raising money, volunteering time or resources, or writing to decision makers in order to advocate for others.

Alongside community action, we challenge ourselves on our actions and attitudes and pray that we might be courageous in what we say and do.

Proverbs 31:8-10

Speak out on behalf of the voiceless, and for the rights of all who are vulnerable. Speak out, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.

Some recent examples of our courageous advocacy

• Our Secondary Choir visited a local care home to sing and spend time with residents.

• Our Primary and Secondary students collected food and toiletries for our local foodbank and delivered them to the warehouse to find out about the processes and the families in need.

• Our Secondary ‘House’ teams raised money for chosen charities. Students also prepared talks and information about the work of the charities for all students and staff to share.

• Staff received Unconscious bias training to challenge themselves on prejudice and power between groups.

• Students undertook awareness sessions in Toxic Masculinity and they went to our primary schools to deliver Collective Worship to raise awareness.