A Derby primary school is celebrating after becoming the first in the city to receive a prestigious anti-racism award, recognising its strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
Firs Primary School, on Raven Street – part of the Derby Diocesan Academy Trust (DDAT) – is one of only 27 schools in the country to receive the Leeds Beckett Anti-Racist School Award. The recognition reflects its work to celebrate all cultures and ensure every child feels valued as an individual.
Launched in 2020 by Leeds Beckett University’s Centre for Race, Education and Decoloniality (CRED), the initiative helps schools strengthen anti-racist practice across leadership, teaching and community engagement to create more inclusive learning environments.
Year five pupil Sab, who moved to the school three years ago from the Philippines, said: “When I moved to the school, I couldn’t speak much English, but I felt really welcome and quickly made lots of friends who helped me in class when I didn’t understand.
“Since then, I have really settled in and even help out at home, especially with my little sister’s English. I feel much more confident both in and out of school.
“I feel really proud to be part of a school that works so hard to make everybody feel welcome and safe.”
The school has a highly diverse community, with pupils speaking 49 different languages and 75% speaking English as an additional language, including 24% who are new to English. The cohort also includes 14.5% of pupils from Gypsy Roma backgrounds and 27% who are Black African, while White British pupils make up 17% of the school population.
Penny Rabiger, associate & anti-racist school award lead coach at Leeds Beckett University, said: “Firs Primary School presents a thoughtful, purposeful and highly committed picture of a school that has made anti-racism part of its culture, its relationships and its everyday practice. The evidence shows a school that is reflective, responsive and determined to ensure that pupils, staff and families feel seen, valued and included.
“On the evidence reviewed, the school is securely operating at Bronze Level across the competencies considered, with especially strong internal impact and a very solid foundation for future development.”
The award lasts for three years before requiring renewal, with the school achieving Bronze status and now working towards Silver. Bronze recognises achievement within the school community, Silver reflects work and impact at a local level and Gold is awarded for national-level practice.
At the beginning of each academic year, pupils take part in a five-lesson programme to become ‘young interpreters’, equipping them with the skills to support new pupils joining the school.
Thomas Silkstone, a teacher at the school for the past three years, led the project to secure recognition for the school’s work in diversity and inclusion. The initiative followed the completion of his Master’s degree, which explored how race is taught in education and often the gaps that exist within it.
The diversification continues throughout everything the school does, including having a range of diverse inspiratonal leaders as the head of their houses – Nelson Mandela, Marcus Rashford, Marie Currie and David Attenborough.
It also hosts a range of events and activities, including dance workshops to celebrate Gypsy Roma Month and initiatives for African World Heritage Day. In addition, the school places strong emphasis on working closely with parents and the wider community to address and tackle issues around racism together.
The school also employs multilingual teaching assistants to support learning in the classroom and staff have access to translators through the new community’s team when additional language support is needed.
Derby Diocesan Academy Trust CEO, Sarah Clark, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for the school and a real reflection of the inclusive culture that has been built across the community.
“The commitment shown by staff and pupils to celebrating diversity and ensuring every child feels valued is exceptional.”
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This press release was distributed by Penguin PR. To find out more contact Sarah-Louise Elton on 01332 416228 or by email at [email protected]
