Welcome to Debenham High SchooL 

Part of the Heart of Suffolk Education Trust

Message from the Headteacher

Monday 3rd November 2025
 

We welcome students back this week after the half term break.  At the end of the last half term a number of students in Years 10 and 11 attended a residential trip to France to aid their language learning, despite some challenging weather conditions thanks to Storm Amy the students had a great trip and enjoyed their time immersing themselves in French Language and Culture.

We also welcomed Maximize to work with our Year 11 students on study and revision skills, we have used Maximize for a number of years as part of the support for students to prepare for their GCSE examinations, the sessions were incredibly useful to the students and as ever the presenter was effusive in his praise for our students and their engagement and participation.

Year 11 students start their Mock Examinations in a few weeks so this will have been a timely boost for them.

Next week sees a number of events in schools and beyond, our students will be attending a Remembrance Service at St. Mary’s Church and some of our students will be returning to lay a wreath as part of the community service.  We also hold our Annual Sankt Martin event in school for Year 7 students and their families where they will hear the story of Sankt Martin and participate in songs and a lantern parade to celebrate this event.

We hold our Commemorative Assembly on Thursday evening, where we welcome back our Year 11 students from last year to receive their certificates and prizes for their phenomenal efforts in their GCSE’s and wider last summer. This is always a fantastic evening and lovely to see our students return to school to see how they are faring as they move on from us at Debenham.

Our theme for Assemblies this half term is Peace and we will be talking to students about Empathy and compassion for others as part of our collective worship programme.

With warmest wishes

Simon Martin

If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honoured, all rejoice together.

                1 Corinthians 12:26

 SCHOOL VISION

"Treat others as you wish to be treated"

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.