#SRtRCSpotlight: Building Momentum in Derby
As part of Show Racism the Red Card’s commitment to supporting schools in creating more inclusive and anti-racist environments, we are proud to officially shine a spotlight on our East Midlands office. While this region has ambitious plans to reach schools across the entire East Midlands, our current capacity means we are focusing our initial rollout on Derby City – and the fantastic work taking place at Lees Brook Academy is a perfect example of the impact we are already making.
Through the Derby City Schools rollout, we are working with schools across the city to support meaningful conversations around racism, equality, respect and inclusion. Lees Brook Academy has shown a real commitment to this journey, going beyond a one-off session and embedding anti-racism education across their school community.
Over the past year, Natasha Cover, East Midlands Regional Manager for Show Racism the Red Card, has delivered multiple anti-racism workshops with Lees Brook pupils, including sessions with Year 9 students, creating safe spaces for young people to explore topics such as racism, stereotypes, discrimination, and the role they can play in challenging prejudice.
As part of their ongoing commitment, Lees Brook has also developed a group of student ambassadors, with around 12 pupils receiving additional training and support. These ambassadors are helping to build a culture where students feel confident to speak up, support their peers, and challenge racism when they see it.
Alongside pupil workshops, staff at Lees Brook have also taken part in anti-racism training, supporting the wider school community to develop confidence, awareness, and understanding in tackling racism and promoting inclusion.
Lees Brook Academy is a brilliant example of what can be achieved when schools take a whole-school approach to becoming actively anti-racist. Their commitment demonstrates that meaningful change happens when pupils, staff, and leadership work together to create an environment where every young person feels valued, respected, and able to thrive.
As the East Midlands office continues to grow, we are excited to expand beyond Derby and replicate this model across the wider region. For now, this work forms part of the Derby City Schools rollout, and we look forward to building on this strong foundation – one school at a time.
If you are a school or organisation based in Derby, fill out our enquiry form today: