Justice and Responsibility – St Michael's Church of England Primary Academy

At St. Michael’s, pupils are not only learning about justice but living it, and where the school community is shaped by a deep commitment to fairness, service, and moral courage.

A Curriculum That Inspires Justice and Responsibility

We believe that education should not only inform but also transform—equipping pupils with the knowledge, empathy, and courage to challenge injustice and act responsibly in the world.

Exploring Big Questions and Moral Complexity

Pupils are encouraged to explore profound and sometimes uncomfortable questions about the world, faith, and morality. Our curriculum does not shy away from complexity. Instead, it embraces it—inviting pupils to reflect on issues such as inequality, discrimination, and the legacy of empire. These discussions are framed by our Christian values of compassion, justice, and truth.

A Bespoke PSHE Curriculum for Today’s Context

Our PSHE curriculum is bespoke and contextually grounded in the realities of life in Britain and Handsworth as a child in 2025. It addresses contemporary safeguarding and social issues such as:

Misogyny and gender-based discrimination
Mental health and emotional wellbeing
Healthy relationships and consent
Inclusion, identity, and belonging

These topics are explored through age-appropriate, reflective, and empowering lessons that help pupils develop emotional literacy, resilience, and a strong moral compass.

Literature with a Social Conscience

Across the curriculum, we use books with a social conscience to deepen understanding and empathy. Pupils read and discuss texts that explore:

The experiences of refugees and displaced people
The realities of racism and social injustice
The impact of crime and inequality
The lives of pioneers and changemakers who have challenged injustice

These stories help pupils connect emotionally with global issues and see themselves as part of the solution.

Examples of the books we read to deepen our children’s social conscience:

1. The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q. Raúf

This powerful and heart-warming story follows Ahmet, a young Syrian refugee, as he joins a new school in London. Told through the eyes of a classmate, the book explores themes of friendship, empathy, and the refugee experience. It encourages children to think about the importance of kindness, inclusion, and standing up for others in the face of injustice.

2. My Name is Not Refugee by Kate Milner

A beautifully illustrated and thought-provoking picture book that gently introduces young readers to the refugee journey. Through a mother’s conversation with her child, the book explores the challenges and emotions faced by those forced to flee their homes. It fosters empathy and understanding, helping children see refugees as individuals with hopes, fears, and dreams—just like them.

3. Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes

This poignant novel tells the story of Jerome, a 12-year-old Black boy who is shot by a police officer. As a ghost, Jerome witnesses the impact of his death and meets other “ghost boys” from history, including Emmett Till. The book tackles racism, injustice, and the power of speaking out, encouraging readers to reflect on systemic inequality and the importance of social change.

4. Amazing Muslims Who Changed the World by Burhana Islam

This inspiring non-fiction collection celebrates the lives and achievements of Muslim individuals from around the world—past and present—who have made a lasting impact in fields such as science, art, activism, and sport. It challenges stereotypes, promotes diversity, and empowers children to see the value of every culture and faith in shaping a better world.

5. Coming to England by Floella Benjamin

In this autobiographical story, Baroness Floella Benjamin shares her journey from Trinidad to England as part of the Windrush generation. The book explores themes of migration, identity, racism, and resilience. It offers a powerful message about hope, belonging, and the importance of embracing cultural heritage while challenging prejudice.

Unpacking Empire and Migration

Our history curriculum tackles the “tricky bits” of British history head-on. Pupils critically examine the British Empire, exploring both its legacy and the contributions of countries and peoples from Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean to the shaping of modern Britain. This approach fosters a more honest, inclusive, and justice-oriented understanding of our shared past.

Oracy and Critical Thinking

In oracy lessons, pupils are taught to debate and discuss complex issues with confidence and respect. Recent debates have included:

The suitability of statues in public spaces linked to Britain’s imperialist past
The impact of migration on British society
The political landscape of post-Brexit Britain

These discussions help pupils develop the skills to express their views, listen to others, and engage in democratic processes—preparing them to be thoughtful, articulate citizens.

Through this rich and reflective curriculum, St. Michael’s empowers pupils to become courageous advocates—individuals who not only understand the world but are inspired to change it for the better. This is how we live out our Christian calling to “act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God” (Micah 6:8).

Here’s an expanded and enriched version of your passage, incorporating the additional details and grounding it in Christian values, with respectful reference to other faith traditions:

Nurturing Courageous Advocates at St. Michael’s

At St. Michael’s CE Primary Academy, we are committed to nurturing courageous advocates—children who are not only aware of the world’s injustices but are inspired to act with compassion, wisdom, and courage. We provide pupils with meaningful opportunities to lead, serve, and make a difference.

Pupil Leadership and Advocacy

Our pupils take on a variety of leadership roles that empower them to raise awareness, lead campaigns, and promote justice. These include:

Faith Council – guiding worship themes and supporting spiritual life across the school.
Peer Mediators – helping resolve conflicts and promote peace among peers.
School Council – representing pupil voice and leading on school improvement initiatives.
Green Influencers – currently leading a whole-school campaign to reduce our carbon footprint by 10%. Through assemblies, promotional campaigns, and eco-friendly initiatives such as composting, allotmenting and the cultivation of wild flower patches, they are raising awareness about climate change and encouraging sustainable habits. Their work reflects our Christian responsibility to be stewards of God’s creation (Genesis 2:15), caring for the Earth and all who live in it.

Serving the Community with Compassion

Our pupils understand that justice begins with service. They regularly support both local and global charities, not just through fundraising but through acts of kindness and connection. For example:

Several times a year, we invite elderly neighbours into school for a shared meal, a game of bingo, and a singalong. These events aim to reduce social isolation and help our children develop empathy and respect for older generations.
We support national causes such as Comic Relief and Children in Need through non-uniform days, competitions, and raffles—raising funds while learning about the needs of others.
Every Harvest, we donate to the St. Michael’s Church of England food bank, which serves the local community weekly.
In addition, our Community Hub hosts its own food bank, offering unlimited access to families in need. Reasons for use may include financial hardship, housing insecurity, or sudden crisis. This provision reflects our Christian call to feed the hungry (Matthew 25:35), and also aligns with the values of Sikhism (seva) and Islam (zakat)—faiths represented in our school community that also emphasise charity, dignity, and service to others.

Championing Inclusion and Equality

Our pupils are taught to recognise and challenge injustice wherever they see it. Through curriculum-linked projects and worship themes, we mark national awareness events such as:

Anti-Bullying Week
Autism Acceptance Week
Refugee Week

These events are not tokenistic—they are embedded in our curriculum and collective worship, helping children understand the importance of inclusion, dignity, and standing up for those who are marginalised.

A School of Sanctuary and Rights Respecting Community

As a UN Rights Respecting School and a School of Sanctuary, we actively teach children about human dignity, global justice, and the importance of standing up for others. These values are not abstract—they are lived out daily in our classrooms, worship, and community life.

With pupil mobility rates four times the national average, we are a school characterised by movement and migration. We welcome new families throughout the year, and our pupils understand that migration is not a disruption—it is a story of resilience, hope, and belonging. We teach this with pride, helping children see themselves as part of a global community shaped by compassion and shared humanity.

Through these experiences, our pupils develop resilience, empathy, and leadership. They learn that justice is not just a concept—it is a way of life. At St. Michael’s, we are raising a generation of young people who are ready to “act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God” (Micah 6:8)—in their school, their community, and the wider world.

Community Engagement and Responsibility

In 2022, our commitment to courageous advocacy and community impact was recognised with the Bishop of Birmingham Award—a testament to the power of faith in action.

At St. Michael’s, we teach our pupils that justice is not just about fairness—it’s about love in action. It’s about seeing a need and responding with compassion. It’s about creating a school and a community where every person is valued, supported, and never judged.

This is how we live out our faith. This is how we teach our children to make a difference.

Justice Begins in Our Community: The Heartbeat of Our Vision

At St. Michael’s CE Primary Academy, we believe that justice is not a distant ideal—it begins at our doorstep. One of our four core values is Community, and it is at the very heart of who we are. We are deeply proud of our school’s place in the vibrant, diverse community of Handsworth, and we are committed to serving it with compassion, dignity, and purpose.

In May 2025, we opened our very own Community Hub, a project entirely funded through charitable grants and the generosity of community supporters. This space is more than a building—it is a living expression of our Christian vision by “championing justice and inspiring service.” We also secured funding for a Community Hub Manager, ensuring that the Hub is a dynamic, welcoming space for all.

Daily Outreach and Support

The Hub hosts a wide range of daily events for parents and families, including:

Advocacy sessions to help navigate housing, benefits, and legal support
Cooking classes, Zumba, arts and crafts, and toddler dance
Stay and Play sessions for early years families
Free English lessons taught by our own teachers, open to both parents and neighbours

These activities promote equity, inclusion, and wellbeing, helping families feel empowered, connected, and supported.

Food Bank: Justice Without Judgement

Our in-school food bank is open to all families—no means test, no judgement. It is funded through grants and donations, and pupils lead regular collections to keep it stocked. This provision reflects our Christian belief in radical hospitality and unconditional love—that no one should go hungry, and that dignity must always come before scrutiny.

This ethos is shared across faith traditions. In Christianity, Jesus teaches us to feed the hungry and care for the poor (Matthew 25:35). In Sikhism, the principle of seva (selfless service) calls for feeding and supporting others without discrimination. In Islam, zakat (charitable giving) is a pillar of faith, ensuring that the needs of the vulnerable are met with compassion and respect. At St. Michael’s, we honour and reflect these shared values in our daily practice.

Partnerships That Make a Difference

Through the Hub, we work with local organisations to secure beds, food, furniture, and hardship grants for families in crisis. These partnerships are not transactional—they are transformational. They allow us to walk alongside families with humility and hope, offering practical help and emotional support.