Courageous Advocacy
“Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (Corinthians 13:7)
Be the Best we can be, guided by God’s love.
encouraging everyone to achieve their God-given potential,
develop their talents, celebrate their uniqueness,
and rejoice in the joy of belonging to God’s family.
At Norland, our Christian vision inspires the whole school community to engage in social action and to be courageous advocates for change—locally, nationally, and globally.
To understand what courageous advocacy truly means, our children learn about inspiring advocates from around the world, both past and present, who have faced injustice and worked for the greater good. Figures such as Nelson Mandela, Rosa Parks, and Walter Tull help our pupils reflect on how determination, compassion, and faith can change the world for the better.
“Speak up for people who cannot speak for themselves. Protect the rights of all who are helpless.”
Proverbs 31:8
Educating for courageous advocacy means taking action, challenging injustice, and becoming agents of change—transforming ourselves, our relationships, and our communities from the local level to the global.
Living Our Values
Our Christian Values (Friendship, Forgiveness, Hope, and Trust) and British Values (Rule of Law, Tolerance, Democracy, Mutual Respect, and Individual Liberty) are woven through every aspect of school life. They guide children to discuss world issues, challenge unfairness, and take part in activities that can make a difference.
Our pupils have a strong sense of belonging to both their local and global community, recognising the responsibility that comes with it. They develop empathy and a willingness to make small sacrifices for the benefit of others, while caring deeply for the beauty and fragility of our environment.
Putting Faith into Action
Our curriculum and wider school life actively embrace a responsibility for the world we share. Together, we show care for our environment and for the people within it through:
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Village litter picks
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Eco-Schools projects
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Pupil-led energy-saving days
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Links with schools locally, nationally, and internationally
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A strong PTA running community events such as fayres and discos
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Support and participation in local events
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Partnerships with local pre-schools
Inspiring Young Leaders
A highlight of our work in this area is the KS2 Archbishop of York Young Leaders Award. Through this exciting programme, our Year 6 children develop leadership skills, teamwork, and compassion while learning how to serve others and make a positive difference.
For example, our pupils explored the working rights of people in the UK and around the world, took part in a paper bag making challenge to experience the realities of child labour, and then used their voices to campaign for change.
Supporting Others
Norland has a proud tradition of supporting charities and encouraging every child to make a difference. We regularly take part in and organise fundraising events for causes that are close to our hearts, including:
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Comic Relief
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Children in Need
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The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal
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Harvest Festival food donations
Children as Courageous Advocates
Our pupils regularly take the initiative to support causes they care about. Examples include:
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Organising a ‘Wear Red for Feb’ day to raise money for a heart charity supporting a school family
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Taking part in community litter picks and sponsored walks for local charities
Through all these experiences, Norland children learn that their voices and actions matter—that they can be courageous advocates who bring hope, justice, and kindness to the world.
