Courageous Advocacy
"The vision and curriculum reflect contextual needs, but staff raise awareness of the national and global world issues, so pupils think beyond themselves... The vision supports pupils’ character and moral development by guiding pupils to be courageous and to ‘be the change you wish to see in the world’. This empowers pupils to be advocates for change in tackling environmental issues such as campaigning against plastic waste. The vision inspires them to be compassionate and lead in the community such as collecting Easter eggs for the local foodbank. Pupils are encouraged to think beyond themselves through ‘big questions’ in lessons and worship." (SIAMS June 2023)
"Pupils are resilient and highly reflective... they reflect on local, national and international issues. While this is a small village school, pupils learn about other cultures and the challenges people face in the wider world.... Pupils have many opportunities to become active citizens, raising money for charity and contributing to their local community and beyond." (Ofsted May 2024)
A courageous advocate is someone who champions a cause which is special and meaningful to them, in order to make the world a better place. At Cranham Primary, we have a strong emphasis on encouraging our pupils to become courageous advocates, not just locally, but nationally and globally too.
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
Our Partnership with St Bishop Azariah School, Dornakal, India:
In 2023, Cranham Primary began a partnership with St Bishop Azariah School in India, Like us, the school has around sixty pupils of primary age, and is set in the countryside. Unlike us, the school is extremely poor and struggles to provide basic equipment for the children to learn. We really hope our fundraising helps to make a difference to these children. In return, we hope to make connections with children from a very different background to us - to learn something about resilience and determination in the face of adversity, as well as to develop an appreciation of the comfortable lives we lead and the opportunities we have.
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We are delighted to share with you a letter and some very special photos from St Bishop Azariah School in Dornakal, India. The school trust have used the money we donated last year to buy the children the tables and chairs they were so desperate for, and the smiles on their faces says it all. As we encourage our Cranham children to be courageous advocates, I’m aware that we ask alot from our little school community, but I hope these photos are a glimpse into the the enormous difference your endless generosity makes to the lives of others. We keep telling our children here at Cranham that they can change the world – and they’ve already begun with Dornakal!
Respected Mrs Scott,
Greetings from the Diocese of Dornakal.
I am pleased to share with you the photographs of the tables and chairs distributed to the children of Bishop Azariah English Medium School, Madiripuram, on January 31, 2025.
Our Bishop Thandrigaru, our Diocesan Secretary, and I visited Madiripuram and met the school children and the Staff, distributing 55 chairs and 55 tables at a cost of Rs. 74,250/- (Rs. 1,350 each).
The children and staff of the school were overjoyed with the new furniture. On behalf of Bishop Azariah School in Madiripuram, I would like to express our deepest gratitude for the generous donation of Rs. 74,559/- sent by Mrs. Sarah Scott of Cranham Church of England School, Gloucester. Once again, thank you for your support and care. Our Bishop, the children, staff, and I are immensely grateful for this blessing.
With sincere appreciation and prayers,
With all good wishes,
Yours faithfully,
Prabhakar Rao
Diocesan Treasurer
Courageous Advocacy
It is important for our children to appreciate their role as part of a larger community, to take responsibility and to foster an understanding of their importance, impact and influence in the world. In recent years, we have supported a range of local, national and global charities. The school council work with staff, governors, parents, pupils and St James the Great Church to identify issues to support. As well as raising money every month through 'Funky Thursday', we have carried out a range of different fund-raising activities to support many worthy causes, such as:
- St Bishop Azariah School, Dornakal, India
- Stroud Food Bank
- The Campbell Burns Metabolic Trust
- Teams4U Shoebox Appeal
- Sport Relief
- Comic Relief
- Children in Need
- The church organ appeal
- Macmillan
- The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal
- The Grand Appeal (Bristol Children's Hospital)
- Rags2Riches
- Help the Heroes
Social action can be defined as people coming together to tackle an issue, support other people, or improve their local area. It involves people giving their time and other resources for the common good, in a range of forms – from volunteering to community-owned services, and peer networks to community organising. Our children have an excellent grasp on the meaning of belonging to a local and global community and the sense of responsibility that comes with belonging, thereby developing their ability to feel compassion and to have the courage to take action to benefit others. This isn't just about charity work; for example, during Mental Health week, Oak Class shared their concerns for the number of lonely people within our village. They worked hard to create supportive advice leaflets to be distributed at the Village Hall and the church, informing people of the ways in which they can help themselves and help each other. Our children understand that the actions they take can make a difference to the world around them but that this involves confidence, courage and effort.
Together, through Collective Worship, we consider the beauty and fragility of our environment, the actions we take, and the impact these actions may have on the well-being of everyone. Our school community and curriculum actively embraces a responsibility for the world in which we live.