Leaders of Now 2025–26: Developing Young Anti-Racism Leaders Across Wales
Leaders of Now 2025–26: Developing Young Anti-Racism Leaders Across Wales
The Leaders of Now 2025–26 secondary school project supported young people in 10 schools across North Wales and 6 schools in Newport to explore racism within their school communities and take practical action to create positive change. Funded through Healthy Schools and Community Cohesion partners in North Wales, and GEMS in Newport, the programme gives pupils the knowledge, confidence and support to become anti-racism ambassadors in their schools.
Throughout the year, pupil groups explored what anti-racism looks like in their own settings, identified areas for change and developed actions to address them. The programme puts young people at the centre of this work, with staff leads providing support as pupils develop and lead their own ideas.
Building confidence and sustainability
Feedback from this year’s participating schools showed improvements in pupils’ confidence to have respectful conversations about racism, alongside strong support from staff leads for their pupils’ ideas. The programme also helped groups develop the confidence and skills to take greater ownership of their anti-racism work. This reflects one of the central aims of Leaders of Now: not simply to deliver a programme to young people, but to help schools develop pupil-led groups and approaches that can continue beyond the project year.
Leading change in their schools
This year’s groups have taken a wide range of approaches to putting their learning into practice. Activities have included raising awareness of racism and discrimination, contributing to anti-racism campaigns, reviewing school processes and resources, and developing practical approaches to improving the reporting and response to racist incidents.
Growing a network
A key strength of Leaders of Now is the opportunity for schools to learn from one another. Staff leads and pupil ambassadors have shared ideas, approaches and challenges, helping to build a wider network of people committed to creating more inclusive and anti-racist school communities.
All of the groups involved this year will continue their work, building on the knowledge, confidence and relationships developed through the programme. As the project continues to develop across Wales, there are increasing opportunities for schools and young people to connect, share learning and strengthen their approaches to anti-racism.
Looking ahead
The next year will build on this momentum, with existing groups continuing to develop their work and new schools joining Leaders of Now. The programme will also continue to develop its work in Newport, supporting a new cohort of schools as they establish and develop their anti-racism ambassador groups.
Leaders of Now demonstrates the value of giving young people the knowledge, space and support to identify issues that matter to them and lead change themselves. As the programme grows, these young people are helping to create lasting anti-racism networks within their schools and beyond.
Read the North Wales Leaders of Now 2025–26 report here:
Adroddiad Arweinwyr Heddiw (Cymraeg)
Leaders of Now Report (English)