Over 300 teachers, headteachers, governors, and education professionals from across Derby came together at Pride Park Stadium on 26 June for the Because School Means More Inclusion Conference—a powerful and inspiring day dedicated to celebrating and advocating for inclusive education.
Hosted by The Inclusion Partnership, the event brought Derby city schools into the spotlight, showcasing what inclusion looks like when it is embedded, and the positive impact that it is having.
The event featured a standout keynote address from Richard Gerver, acclaimed speaker and former headteacher, who used the power of story to challenge delegates to be brave and build a more inclusive culture.
Throughout the day, participants engaged in live podcast interviews, attended interactive workshops, and explored a vibrant inclusion marketplace featuring resources, tools and local support networks.
Major highlights were the launch of the Because School Means More podcast and the unveiling of the Inclusion Partnership’s 5-Year Inclusion Movement Strategy. Recorded with the help of education experts and leaders, the new podcast is set to tackle topics ranging from emotionally based school non-attendance, to inclusive play and relational approaches, underscoring the important theme of inclusion.
This complements the objectives of the Inclusion Movement Strategy, which sets out a bold roadmap for inclusive practice across Derby schools.
Jo Wilkinson, Inclusion Partnership Manager, said:
This is a cornerstone event for us each year. We are really excited by the momentum it’s gained, and the impact created. This year we had even more delegates in a packed room, showing their commitment to inclusive practice.
We saw schools, services and organisations come together to commit to inclusion not as an add-on, but as a foundation for everything they do.
The atmosphere was lifted by a powerful performance from the Inclusion Choir, made up of pupils from Chellaston Academy, Hardwick Primary, St James Juniors, and St Giles Special School, who moved the audience with their renditions of 'We Are the Young' and 'Stand By Me'.
Phil Smith, Chair of the Inclusion Strategy Group and Headteacher of Chellaston Academy, was delighted with the enthusiasm and ideas generated during the day:
To have so many colleagues from the education sector sharing their passion for inclusion can only benefit our young. Today has been amazing on so many levels, but in particular for schools across our region to share innovative and effective practice, as well as share a desire to become more inclusive.
In the afternoon, a series of practical workshops gave delegates the opportunity to dig deeper into strategies for inclusive teaching, leadership, and relationship-building in schools.
The event marked a major step forward for Derby’s growing Inclusion Movement—bringing people together to create schools where every child feels they belong.
Councillor Paul Hezelgrave, Derby City Council Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Skills, said of the conference:
This has been an inspirational and encouraging day of sharing ideas, knowledge and experience in the united aim of creating an inclusive school system. We’re lucky to have so many passionate and dedicated education professionals working in Derby – people who care deeply about making sure that our children are supported and made to feel a part of their school community.
Hearing about the plans for further work to make this a reality for every child gives me great hope for the future of Derby’s young people.
For more information about the Inclusion Partnership’s workOpens in new tab, visit their website.