Welcome to Debenham High SchooL 

*** Open Evening 2025 - Thursday 9th October 2025 ***

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Message from the Headteacher

Tuesday 1st July 2025
 

Last week was a particularly busy one in school with a huge number of events and activities taking place involving a wide range of students.

We have said a final farewell to our Year 11 students with the Prom at Otley Hall.  It was a lovely evening, blessed by sunshine and it was a fitting way for the Year 11 students to finish their five years at Debenham.

This week we have been treated to an incredible performance of Motown Macbeth over four shows. The show directed and adapted by our own Mr Hardcastle and Mr Rinaldi was a fantastic show, featuring so many of our talented students who performed, played the soundtrack as well as the huge number of backstage roles undertaken. Always a huge amount of effort from staff and students but an amazing show for us to enjoy.

Running alongside this our Musicians put on a wonderful concert for an audience on the school field prior to the show.  A really eclectic mix of performances but all sharing the same incredible talent and joy in what the students were doing. As ever ably supported by our brilliant peripatetic music team.

Friday saw our annual Sports Day, this year won by Curie.  The day is always a great one for students to show their talents to a wider audience but also a real testament to the camaraderie and support of each other within the school community.  Again lots of work goes into this day, but the students and staff alike had a really enjoyable Sports Day, joined by a huge number of parents to make this a real community event.

A group of our students competed in the Dora Love Prize at Colchester this week, the event gives students the opportunity to learn about the Holocaust and inspires citizenship and democratic activism to put an end to identity-based prejudice, discrimination, marginalisation and violence in our communities today. A really pertinent opportunity in todays society and our students performed admirably, speaking with a confidence and knowledge which belied their years.

This week, sees the arrival of our German exchange students, the departure of our World Challenge Trip to Eswatini, our Year 7 Geographers out on their field trip as well as our Summer Awards Ceremony.

With warmest wishes

Simon Martin

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

John 10:10

 SCHOOL VISION

Debenham High School aims to nurture excellence and integrity in all members of our community. 

Debenham High is a place of learning and personal development for all. We aim to develop students to enable them to take their place in society as happy, successful and resilient people who act with integrity, purpose and love. Students develop a curiosity about the world around them and a desire to learn. All students regardless of background and ability will be exposed to the very best so that they are able to understand and aspire to excellence; they should see this excellence both in school and beyond in the academic and cultural world. We hold  that all people are made in the image of God and as such we encourage students to develop a respect for and tolerance of others - regardless of differences of race, disability, sexuality, gender, culture or religion.  

As well as learning about other faiths and world views  our students develop an understanding of the Christian Faith and act in a way which demonstrates the key attributes of love, joy, peace, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self -control. The whole school community is encouraged to live by Jesus’ teaching to love our neighbour and to “Treat others as you wish to be treated”

Students will leave Debenham, with excellent academic qualifications, a love and curiosity for knowledge, resilient and ready to succeed in and contribute to an ever changing world, having developed a moral strength, compassion and understanding of others.

Growing together in Character, Wisdom and Compassion.