On 26th June, over 300 school colleagues and professionals from across Derby came together at Pride Park Stadium for the Because School Means More Inclusion Conference, a powerful and inspiring day dedicated to celebrating and advocating inclusive education.

Hosted by The Inclusion Partnership, the conference brought Derby city schools into the spotlight, showcasing what inclusion looks like when it is embedded and the positive impact it is having.

The event featured a standout keynote address from Richard Gerver, acclaimed speaker, former headteacher and DCCT Trustee, 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 an inclusion marketplace featuring resources, tools and local support networks.

A major highlight was the launch of the Because School Means More podcast and the unveiling of the Inclusion Partnership’s 5-Year Inclusion Movement Strategy, setting out a bold roadmap for inclusive practice across Derby schools.

“This is a highlight event for us each year. We are really excited by the momentum it’s gained, and the movement created.” said Jo Wilkinson, Inclusion Partnership Manager at Derby County Community Trust. “We saw schools, students, and communities 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”.

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.

For more information about the Inclusion Partnership’s work, visit www.inclusionpartnership.co.uk.