Staverton pupils praised as courageous advocates for change in Christian Aid award
Pupils and staff at Staverton CE Primary School, part of Peterborough Diocese Education Trust (PDET),have been recognised by Christian Aid for their work to tackle injustice, protect the environment and make a positive difference in their community and beyond.
The school has achieved Bronze Award status in Christian Aid’s Global Neighbours scheme, which celebrates schools that help children understand global poverty, inequality and injustice, while encouraging them to use their voices to create a fairer world.
Ruth Nelmes, Headteacher at Staverton CE Primary School, said: “We are incredibly proud to have achieved the Bronze Global Neighbours award. It is a wonderful recognition of the compassion, curiosity and determination our pupils show every day.
“Our school vision starts ‘Above all be loving’, and this award reflects the many ways our children are learning to live that out. They are not only thinking carefully about fairness, poverty and care for the environment, but are taking practical steps to make a difference.
“What has been especially lovely to see is the children’s growing confidence in speaking up. Whether they are supporting the local food bank, writing to decision-makers, caring for wildlife or encouraging others to save energy and water, they are learning that even small actions can have a real impact.”
The Christian Aid assessment report praised the school’s strong culture of care, fairness and equality, noting that pupils “demonstrate their love beyond the school community into the area around them and the wider world”. Across the school, children have taken part in projects including litter picking, making bug hotels, sponsoring endangered animals, creating energy-saving posters, supporting the local food bank and taking part in a toilet twinning initiative.
Pupils have also used their voices to campaign for change, from writing to their MP about tree planting to raising concerns with the local council about road safety, which helped lead to safer cycle lanes for children travelling to school. Year 3 pupils also saw the impact of their persuasive writing after contacting their local councillor about herbicide use, with the council reducing its use in weed management.
Sarah Potter, Children and Young People’s Officer at Christian Aid, said: “It’s really rewarding to see how both pupils and staff at Staverton CE Primary School have worked incredibly conscientiously to achieve Bronze Global Neighbours. They have shown a great commitment to their local community and have wholeheartedly engaged in challenging injustice and unfairness in our world.”
The Global Neighbours scheme is open to primary and secondary schools in England, Scotland and Wales. Schools can achieve bronze, silver or gold accreditation, with independent assessors looking at areas including school leadership, teaching and learning, collective worship and spiritual development, pupil participation and community engagement.