What do we mean by Courageous Advocacy?
When using the term ‘courageous advocacy’ we are referring to the act of speaking out against an issue of injustice, often on behalf of those whose voice is not heard. Speaking out, at whatever level this takes place, requires an element (and sometimes a great deal) of courage! Becoming a courageous advocate for change, therefore, must involve being informed about an issue and it must move beyond simply knowing, to saying and doing. Educating for courageous advocacy must embody an ethos of action-taking, challenging injustice and becoming agents of change in the transformation of ourselves,our relationships and our communities from the local level to the global.
‘What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God’ (Micah 6:8)
This document is offered as a guide and a support to help schools, school leaders and SIAMS inspectors to explore the concept of courageous advocacy and what that might mean in the unique context of each school.
Courageous Advocacy in the Diocese of Ely
The Diocesan Education department have sent every diocesan school a trophy to be used as a Courageous Advocacy Award. The trophy allows a pupil or a group of pupils to be rewarded for the work they have been doing that meets the definition of courageous advocacy and can be awarded whenever a school leader sees fit. Once the recipient(s) are chosen and communicated, the Diocesan Education department produce a certificate for the pupil(s) and a certificate for display alongside the trophy, with a member of the Diocesan team being invited into school to award the trophy and certificates too.
You can read more stories of Courageous Advocacy on our School News pages.
Courageous Advocacy Award for Bishop Stephen
Bishop Stephen was surprised with a Courageous Advocacy Award before his departure to Lincoln. 
In 2023, headteachers from all schools in the Diocese were invited to attend the annual Education team garden party, which was Bishop Stephen's last before his move to Lincoln.
Bishop Stephen presented pupils Anja and Charlotte from Park Street CoE Primary School with their Courageous Advocacy award at the gathering, who then surprised him by presenting him with an award of his own.
The Dicoesan Education Team wanted Bishop Stephen to be awarded for all has contributed to Education over the years.
The citation on the certificate reads: ‘Award Awarded by The Diocese of Ely Education Team for Advocating for 16,000 children within the Diocese’