More than 100 schools across Derby have signed up to a shared commitment to inclusion, helping to create school environments where all children and young people feel valued, included and able to succeed.

The commitment is set out in the Derby City Inclusion Charter, which has been adopted by all 106 schools in the city. Derby City Council and education partners work together through the Derby City Inclusion Partnership to develop inclusive practice across Derby's education system.

As part of this ongoing work, 2,600 members of staff from schools across Derby will come together for an Inclusion INSET Day on Friday 27 November 2026 to share learning and explore practical approaches that can be used in classrooms and school communities.

Under the theme Inclusion: Everyone, Everyday, Everywhere, the programme will focus on inclusive relationships, learning environments and everyday practice. School leaders, teachers, teaching assistants, special educational needs coordinators (SENCos) and other staff will have the opportunity to learn from national and local experts and share examples of what is working in Derby schools.

Councillor Paul Hezelgrave, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Skills, described the ideas behind the event:

Derby is passionate about creating an inclusive and ambitious city for our young people, investing in the next generation and ensuring they feel a sense of belonging and purpose. We know how powerful feeling part of a team, of something bigger, can be and how helpful this is in fostering wellbeing, resilience and ambition. This INSET day gathers an incredible amount of expertise and experience in one place, so that we can channel big ideas into real-world solutions, strengthening inclusion in our young people’s lives. The work already done on this has increased the City’s global attendance rate, meaning more pupils are attending on a regular basis and benefiting from their teachers’ increasingly skillful use of adaptive teaching so that pupils of all abilities are more engaged and feel included in their learning journey.”

The event will unite school leaders, teachers, teaching assistants, SENCos and support staff around one shared ambition: for every child and young person to feel welcomed, valued and supported to belong and thrive.

The day’s theme, “Inclusion: Everyone, Everyday, Everywhere”, will put practical inclusion at the centre of the programme. A shared morning session will combine keynote contributions, learning, celebration and reflection, before afternoon sessions allow colleagues to explore inclusive relationships, environments and everyday actions in greater depth.

Keynote speakers will include author and speaker Richard Gerver; Mark Finnis of L30 Relational Systems; Stephanie Davies of Laughology; and representatives from the Department for Education. Jo Wilkinson and Phil Smith from the Inclusion Partnership will add local insight, combining national perspectives with practical experience from across Derby.

The afternoon will feature workshops led by a range of experts from the University of Derby and Derby City Council, amongst others, as well as the option to access a range of focused webinars around the central theme.

Sharon Buckby, Director of Learning, Inclusion and Skills at Derby City Council, explained:

Bringing so many colleagues together in one place sends a powerful message about Derby’s shared commitment to inclusion. We want every child and young person to feel that they belong. This day is about turning that ambition into the small, practical things we can all do, every day, in every school.

The day will also offer an opportunity to celebrate the collective efforts of Derby schools and strengthen connections across the city’s education community.

For more about Derby City’s commitment to inclusion, take a look at our Local Area Inclusion Plan or watch our accessible animation.