Empower young people in Derby
Register your school
Empower your pupils with real-world experiences and opportunities. Be part of a city-wide initiative transforming young lives in Derby. Register your school today and start making a difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Derby Promise is a city-wide initiative to connect Derby schools with employers, cultural groups, and sports organisations to broaden horizons and raise aspirations for pupils aged 5–18. Your school can access enrichment opportunities, experiences of the workplace, and city-wide festivals.
Yes. All local authority, academy, and special schools within Derby City are eligible to take part, including primary, secondary, and post-16 providers.
Derby has one of the highest NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) rates in the East Midlands, and significant disparities in pupil outcomes based on background. This initiative aims to tackle that by giving all pupils meaningful opportunities, regardless of postcode or circumstance.
The Derby Promise is inclusive by design. Many participating employers and organisations offer tailored, supported experiences, and we actively work with schools to make opportunities accessible to pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.
The offer spans the full school age range, with tailored activities for Key Stages 1–5, including transition years and preparation for post-16 education or employment.
Events & opportunities
Dream Fest is a city wide youth arts festival inspired by A Midsummer Night’s Dream, proudly delivered by Derby Promise in collaboration with local schools, arts organisations, and community partners.
The festival opens on Friday 11th July with a dynamic Schools Takeover Day at Derby’s Market Hall, followed by a vibrant public programme on Saturday 12th July, offering a rich mix of live performances, interactive workshops, and creative activities for families and the wider community.
Centred around Derby’s Market Hall and nearby venues, Dream Fest features a series of in-school Shakespeare workshops, culminating in performances from over 350 children and young people across primary, secondary, nursery, and SEND settings.
The programme also includes a digital creative offer, recorded school performances, and the CANVAS Dream Showcase, celebrating the voices and talents of young people from diverse backgrounds. Across both days, attendees can participate in high quality sessions spanning visual art, music, dance, theatre, and careers in the creative industries, delivered by professional artists and industry experts.
The festival’s final day will see Derby’s city centre come alive with public performances, drop-in creative spaces, and bookable family friendly workshops, creating an inclusive, inspiring celebration of imagination, expression, and opportunity for the city’s young people.
Stargazer Resources
Derby Promise, in collaboration with the Derby Institute of Sport, is proud to present an inclusive Festival of Sport, taking place from August 4th to 8th at Derby Arena.
This free, five-day event is designed for young people aged 8 to 14, with a particular focus on those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The festival aims to enhance emotional well-being, physical health, and educational outcomes through the transformative power of sport.
With over 400 young participants expected from across Derby, each day will offer the chance to engage in up to five different activities, including wheelchair basketball, jujitsu, yoga, football, and cutting edge virtual reality experiences. Beyond physical activity, the festival provides enriching opportunities to explore performance psychology, nutrition, and well-being through motivational talks from professional athletes and interactive sessions led by a specialist dietitian.
As a flagship Derby Promise initiative, the Festival of Sport delivers vital experiences that foster young people’s social, emotional, and physical development, creating lasting memories and meaningful impact during the summer holidays. The event is fully accessible, with calm spaces for downtime, BSL interpreters, and an environment designed to support a wide range of needs. All coaches have undergone specialist training, ensuring every young person feels safe, supported, and included. Join us as we celebrate the power of sport to uplift, connect, and empower every young person in our community.