Working in Partnership

A key element of the success of Denbigh is the spirit of partnership that exists between students, the School and parents.  This partnership, which brings success to our students and the School as a whole, is the basis of our Home School Agreement, which we ask all students and parents to sign when they join the School.

Please use the Policies link above for more information about Denbigh's Home School Agreement.

Denbigh’s commitment

As a School we commit to care for each child and keep parents informed of their progress.

Caring for students

We want our students to be happy, healthy and feel secure.  Well established links with our partner schools enable a smooth transition from primary to secondary education.  Once at Denbigh, every student is placed in a tutor group and one of our five Houses, under the care of a personal tutor and a Head of House.

We have in place an Anti-Bullying Policy which makes clear our determination that everyone has a right to feel safe and secure.  This is supplemented by peer mentoring schemes run by students.

We have achieved Healthy School status under the National Healthy Schools Programme by demonstrating our commitment to encourage students to follow a healthy lifestyle

Reporting student progress to parents

Parents receive regular detailed reports assessing their child’s performance in terms of homework, effort and behaviour, the national curriculum level, GCSE or A Level grade they are working at and coursework completion.

These reports are used as a basis for discussion at our regular tutor and subject consultation afternoons and evenings.  Parents can also use our fortnightly parent drop-in sessions to talk to a member of the School’s Leadership Team.

Expectations of students

We expect our students to exhibit the highest standards of behaviour; be punctual and regularly attend school; be in full school uniform at all times and to share their ideas with the School.

Behaviour

Good order and discipline are essential to the provision of high standards of teaching and learning.  To achieve this, the School has a clearly defined structure for the recognition and promotion of positive behaviour, together with a clear and fair system for dealing with incidents of indiscipline.  We expect our students to take responsibility for their own behaviour and to recognise that no student has the right to disrupt the learning of other students. 

Please use the Policies link above to view Denbigh’s Behaviour Policy

Attendance

The School rigorously follows-up unexplained absence and where truancy is suspected, work closely with parents and our Educational Welfare Officer to identify problems and ensure full attendance.  The School does not usually authorise absence due to holidays being taken during term time.  

Please use the Policies link above to view Denbigh’s Attendance Policy

Uniform

Students are part of a learning community at Denbigh and wearing the uniform is vital to feeling a sense of belonging in our community.  Our uniform requirements have been drawn up to achieve a neat appearance and to be fit for purpose.  Students are expected to wear the prescribed school dress within school and on journeys to and from school. 

Please use the Uniform link above for more information about Denbigh's Uniform Requirements.

Student Voice

We expect our students to share their ideas with the School as we value the 'student voice' highly.  Denbigh has been recognised nationally as leading the way in terms of how we value ‘the student voice’ and we have given guidance to other schools on the subject.

A range of initiatives has created a dialogue between students, staff and Governors which has a real impact on school life, including teaching and learning. The Student Council is a strength of the School, with a formal election process that elects students whose views are fed directly to the Headteacher and Governors.

Parental Contribution

We encourage parents to monitor their child’s School Diary and encourage their child to plan his or her time to accommodate homework every evening.

Each child is given a diary which helps them and their parents to keep track of their schoolwork.  Information in the diary includes homework set, achievements, test results and involvement in extra curricular activities.  We would like parents to look at the diary at least once a week, sign it and talk to their child about the achievements and developments recorded in the diary.

Parents can also encourage their child to plan their time to accommodate homework every evening and provide, wherever possible, a quiet place for them to study at home.

The Denbigh School Parents’ Association continues to enjoy the active support of parents, teachers, governors and friends of the School.  The Association plays a vital role in fundraising for the School.  

Please use the Partners link above for more information about Denbigh's Parents Association.