The Formation of Equality Group

Equality Group was formed in 2021 when a couple of passionate students, outraged by the death of George Floyd in the United States, started speaking to the police crime commissioner about taking action in Nottingham to tackle racism. We were working at the time with Citizens UK Nottingham branch. The local organiser came into school and taught us about building power, listening to the people, and understanding how to bring decision makers to the table to bring about meaningful change. They were invaluable lessons. The girls realised they had a voice and felt powerful. From one student, we became two, then a few more joined, and a few more. Slowly but surely, we increased our numbers, talking in assemblies and showing the student population what we were capable of. The effect was quite dramatic.

At the start of September 2024, following an assembly showcasing our campaigns, 30 more students walked through the door.  Our work with Citizens UK had seen us speak in the House of Lords, talking with Baroness Lawrence on their Racial Equity in Education campaign, hosting the governments’ curriculum & assessment review enquiry team, standing with placards outside Nottingham Forest football ground for the Real Living Wage campaign, talking at NottAlone Festival about mental health struggles and back down to parliament to talk with Minister Alex Norris MP about Migration Justice after the release of the government’s white paper, and the students were visible, living role models.  Over 40 students in a single club showed up wanting to make change, so impressed were they by their peers.

The empowerment is tangible, these young women leave knowing they have made a real difference to society and they will be heard (believe me!).  In a time of unprecedented division and fracture in society, we are now looking at a way to spread cohesion through to other academies. We want to use the soft skills we have developed, those that employers really value, to make sure young people leave school knowing they absolutely have the ability to improve the quality of life for themselves and others. Now more than ever, it is vital work.

Celebrating Black History Month at NGA

‘Standing Firm in Power and Pride’

At Nottingham Girls' Academy we celebrate multicultural, religious events, observations and festivals and raise awareness with our pupils every year.

This year we are proud to be acknowledging Black History Month. We will be honouring key figures such as Dr Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, Marcus Rashford MB, Dame Floella Benjamin, Walter Tull, Benjamin Zephania and many more. This year also marks the passing of Paul Stephenson OBE (1937–2024), the civil rights campaigner, who led the 1963 Bristol Bus Boycott — a defining protest against racial discrimination.

We also remember the remarkable legacy of Lord Herman Ouseley (1945–2024), former Chair of the Commission for Racial Equality, whose work shaped national conversations around race, education, and institutional reform. Their contributions continue to echo in today’s fight for fairness, dignity, and inclusion.

We will be celebrating in school on Wednesday 8th October 2025 with lessons across all faculties, embedding Black History into our rich cultural curriculum. There will be celebratory food; Jamaican patties, drinks and dumplings, and celebrations including films, and a dance circle.

 

Equality Group at the ITE Summer Conference

On Tuesday 8th July, The Nottingham Girls' Academy Equality Group were invited to speak at the ITE Summer Conference at Nottingham University’s Jubilee Campus.

This is an annual event hosted by the School of Education at Nottingham University.

Over 50 Principals and senior leaders of multi-academy trusts gathered together to discuss the topic of Belonging. There was a particular focus on making schools a welcoming place for refugees and migrants; a topic we have been working hard on, in collaboration with Citizens UK.

Many of our students know first-hand what it feels like to have to integrate into a new environment, often having to learn English and adapt to a new way of life or a different culture. We were very excited to be able to speak at this event and share our ideas. You can watch our contribution to conference below.