Headteacher

Dereham Neatherd High School is part of Enrich Learning Trust which comprises of Dereham Neatherd High School, Kenninghall Primary School, Long Stratton High School, Spooner Row Primary School, North Walsham High School and Wymondham High Academy. In total, the new Trust has 3,000+ students.

Neatherd Values and Vision

Neatherd is a consistently successful and oversubscribed “good” school (Ofsted, 2020) which aims to be outstanding. We have a long history of exceptionally high standards and a commitment to excellence in learning and personal development. There are currently around 1180 students at Neatherd with provision at Key Stages 3 and 4.

Our ethos – “Traditional, Inclusive, Supportive” – informs and is evidenced by our rigorous academic curriculum and our strong reputation for first-rate pastoral and SEND provision. This ethos is possible because we ensure that our five core values are at the heart of all that we do. These values are: compassion, hard work, respect, integrity and fairness.

Our Vision 

Teaching and Learning

The school has a very well qualified staff of subject specialists. Learning is based on our research-informed principles around the key features we expect to see in our lessons. This is also supported by specific lesson routines and an explicit, clear behaviour management system.  Our curriculum, underpinned by key pedagogic theory, includes what our subject staff believe constitutes the relevant knowledge and skills required at each key stage beyond those requirements solely preparing children for GCSE study. This is supported, at Key Stage 3, by homework focusing on the use of core knowledge organisers. Classroom practice is further enhanced by careful, strategic CPD centred on instructional coaching and subject-specific curricular and pedagogical development. The school enjoys strong links with local ITT providers including the University of East Anglia and Norfolk Teacher Training College, and works closely with primary schools in many curriculum areas.

The Autism Spectrum Condition base (SRB)

The Autism Spectrum Condition Base forms part of the Specialist Resource Base (SRB) programme of additionally commissioned services funded by the Local Authority and delivered by Norfolk schools for learners with a high level of Special Educational Needs who are educated in mainstream schools. The programme is an important part of the Local Offer of support and provision. Further information can be found here.

Wellbeing and Mental Health

The school is proud of the wellbeing and mental health support it offers and is a committed supporter of the Time to Change campaign. We are very proud to have achieved a Healthy Schools Gold Award for our work in mental health. Support for students is bespoke and extensive and may include voluntary mindfulness sessions, a talk therapist, an anger coach and access to a trained counsellor. Wellbeing is a regular topic in our assemblies and tutorial programmes, especially in the period running up to examinations, which can be stressful for young people.

Our most recent OFSTED inspection (February 2020) stated:

"Leaders are highly ambitious for the pupils. They ensure that the education they receive is good. Leaders want pupils to leave school as confident, well-educated young people. This is achieved through effective teaching and the traditional values of hard work, good behaviour and respect for others."

"There is a calm and orderly atmosphere in classrooms. Pupils have positive attitudes to learning as they want to do well. They are polite and friendly. Disruption to lessons is rare."

"Senior leaders have a relentless drive to improve the quality of education. They are committed to ensuring that pupils follow a broad curriculum."  Latest Ofsted Report

Working for us

Our members of staff are talented, enthusiastic and committed to our core values and ethos. We take wellbeing and workload seriously and we invest in our people. Our Trust adheres to National Pay and Conditions for teaching and support staff, providing terms in accordance with - or better than - the Green and Burgundy Books. All members of staff and their families have access to CiC, our free Employee Assistance Programme, alongside a range of other benefits. If you share our values and our commitment to excellence, we would love to hear from you.