"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."
Isaiah 43:19
Derby Cathedral School opened its doors in September 2018 with a pioneering vision - to be the only Church of England secondary school in the Diocese of Derby. Founded as a free school academy within the Derby Diocesan Academy Trust (DDAT) in partnership with the Derby Diocesan Board of Education (DBE), we began our journey with just a single Year 7 cohort of students, embarking on an ambitious mission to create a truly inclusive Christian community.
From Temporary Beginnings to Permanent Home
Our first three years were spent at Midland House, a temporary accommodation next to Derby train station, that served as our initial home whilst we awaited our permanent site. During these formative years, our dedicated staff and students built the culture and values that would define Derby Cathedral School, even within the constraints of temporary facilities.
In September 2021, we made the significant move to our purpose-built site on Great Northern Road. This land held its own piece of Derby's history - it was previously a railway goods yard that had become derelict over time. The transformation of this forgotten corner of the city into a vibrant centre of learning symbolises our school's mission to breathe new life into our community and provide fresh opportunities for young people across Derby.
A Growing Community
As a growing school, we added a new year group each September, carefully building our community year by year. This gradual expansion allowed us to develop and refine our distinctive ethos whilst maintaining the close-knit relationships that characterise our school. Our Sixth Form opened in September 2023, and we reached full capacity in the 2024-25 academic year with the arrival of our first Year 13 cohort, completing all seven year groups from Years 7-13.
Our Visual Identity
The distinctive branding of Derby Cathedral School tells the story of our unique place in Derby's landscape. Our logo features five flowing lines that represent our five FAITH values - Fellowship, Aspiration, Integrity, Tenacity, and Humility. These lines follow the pattern of the railway tracks that once crossed our site, honouring the industrial heritage of the land on which we now stand.
The design also draws inspiration from the beautiful stained glass windows of Derby Cathedral, our spiritual partner, with our school colours reflecting those found in the glass. Our FAITH values symbol has been thoughtfully designed to echo the visual theme, with its pattern linking to the distinctive shapes seen on the nearby Friargate bridge, connecting us to the broader architectural heritage of our city.
The research and creative process behind our visual identity represents the care and attention we bring to every aspect of school life. You can explore the fascinating ideas and development behind our branding by visiting our display called 'Creating Our Visual Theme' in the school foyer, for the full story of our distinctive identity.