Flora RH Richards, Equalities Lead at Croxley Danes School, established the Herts DEI Network in July 2023. The Network meets termly, giving colleagues working on Equality, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging in Hertfordshire and beyond the opportunity to share best practice and work jointly on projects.
Can you describe your journey into working in education, how you qualified and what were the key steps and challenges?
I graduated from Lancaster University with a degree in Religious Studies and English Literature and was involved in a huge amount of wider community building through the LUSU, the Lancaster University Students’ Union. After graduation, I initially worked in youth and community work, before formalising my passion for working with young people by applying for my PGCE. I trained to teach at King’s College London with placements at JFS and Enfield County School for Girls. My first teaching role was at Bishop Stopford’s School in Enfield, and I then worked at two mixed comprehensive schools in North London. I spent 10 years at Aldenham School before joining Croxley Danes in 2022. Balancing a new career path and personal growth, across a variety of school contexts continues to be a deeply rewarding challenge.
What is your current role?
I am a teacher of Religion, Ethics, and Philosophy at Croxley Danes School. In addition, I serve as the school's equalities lead, where I work on promoting inclusivity, addressing prejudice related incidents, and fostering a supportive and welcoming environment for all members of the school community.
What do you love most about your job?
The most rewarding part of my job is building meaningful connections with students, staff, and parents. I especially enjoy helping students explore their identities and beliefs while challenging prejudice and stereotypes. It’s incredibly fulfilling to see young people and colleagues develop confidence and a sense of belonging through my work.
What would you change if you could?
If I could, I’d ensure schools had more resources to support equality, diversity, and inclusion work. Often, these initiatives are underfunded and reliant on passionate individuals working above and beyond their roles. Systemic support and dedicated time for EDI initiatives would make a significant difference. I would love to be able to formalise equality, diversity, and inclusion provisions across education and by extension all public sector roles - this would give us protection from the vagaries of party political ‘fashions’ and would avoid inconsistencies across regions and settings.
What advice would you give somebody just starting out or thinking about training to teach?
Find a school that aligns with your values and ethos, and supportive leadership is key to thriving in this profession. Communication and emotional regulation are critical skills; learning to articulate your needs and manage challenges will help you build your resilience. Most importantly, remember why you chose to teach—keep your passion at the heart of your work.
Tell us about your work with the Herts DEI Network?
I founded the Hertfordshire DEI Network, which connects equalities leads across schools to share resources and good practices. We share good practice across secondary and primary schools and worked together to ensure our equalities events make a big impact. Events like school community Iftar events and our student-led Equalities conference, held in October 2024 were particular highlights. We warmly invite schools to actively participate in the Herts DEI network and embed Equality, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging into their core strategies. This is important to ensure all members of their school community feel a sense of belonging.
How can others support your work/ get involved?
Schools and educators can join the Herts DEI Network to collaborate and share ideas. Please email hertsdei@gmail.com with your name, role and school details to join us.
Parents and community members can advocate for inclusive practices and support events that foster belonging and understanding. As with safeguarding being ‘everyone’s business’, everyone has a role to play in promoting equality and challenging discrimination.
Do you have any thoughts on how Hertfordshire schools can make their vacancies more attractive to a wider audience?
Schools should focus on showcasing their inclusive values and commitment to well-being in their recruitment materials. Highlighting diverse role models, offering flexible working options, and providing visible pathways for professional development can make positions more appealing to a broader range of candidates.
Anything else you would like to share?
Creating truly inclusive school environments requires collective effort and a willingness to challenge the status quo. I’m continually inspired by the resilience and creativity of young people, and I believe that through collaboration, we can ensure every student and staff member feels valued and empowered.