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Equalities Objectives
Equality and Diversity is central to the ethos of Humphry Davy School. The School Vision makes direct reference to:
- Celebrating individuality.
- Maximising the life chances of all of our young people.
Humphry Davy School values and principals specifically state that they will work with every individual to:
- Embed Co-operative values in policies, activities and decision making and develop the co-operative character of the school – Self help, self responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity.
- Identify and overcome barriers to learning or participation in school life;
- Instil an understanding of the world around us and local and wider cultures, underpinned by environmentally sustainable values and practices within the school’s operations;
The school is committed to justice and equality for all in its values and principles, and the school’s strategy document says that this will be seen in school life by:
- Providing engaging and inclusive core and extra-curricular activities, addressing barriers, and using Pupil Premium and other funding sources, to enable all groups of students to participate;
- Continuing to develop national and international links with a range of countries and cultures;
- Integrating the principles of caring for others into school life, including an awareness of issues such as poverty, the impact of climate change and the importance of Fair Trade on a local, national and global level;
Humphry Davy School Equality Objectives:
The school has adopted the following Equality Objectives which underpin this policy and specific actions taken.
- To raise, and maintain, a high level of awareness of Equality and Diversity expectations within the school community and include the whole school community in developing and reviewing the policy
- To ensure that any instances of discrimination or disrespectful behaviour are responded to promptly and effectively;
- To ensure that every student, irrespective of race, disability, gender, religion, belief or sexual orientation, has access to the support required to achieve their full potential;
- To provide a range and quality of learning opportunities that is relevant and accessible to all students, taking account of their differing needs and characteristics and equips them with the skills for employment, further learning, and wider social and community engagement
- To ensure that effective strategies are in place to tackle under–achievement and to address any gap between specific groups of students including those defined by the protected characteristics, SEND and disadvantage.
- To improve access to all areas of the school for students, staff and others irrespective of disability
- To ensure that the school’s procedures for managing behaviour and student discipline, as set out in the Behaviour for Learning Policy, are fair, effective and equitable.
- To ensure that the adults working or volunteering in the school include, as far as possible, a balanced gender mix and appropriate representation of ethnic groups, ages, faiths, and people with disabilities related to the local community.
- To ensure that all appointments are made on a fair, equitable and non-discriminatory basis
Connect with us
Humphry Davy School
5 Dec 2025
Our 16th spot shines with Year 9 student, Harriet’s stunning harbour lights photographic piece — a cosy Christmas glow reflected on the water, just beautiful. Kemeneth House will be proud!
Humphry Davy School
4 Dec 2025
Well done to Year 9 student, Finn! Taking 17th place for Aweni House, with this magical photo of glowing Christmas lanterns lighting up the night sky — so atmospheric!
Humphry Davy School
4 Dec 2025
A small group of students are currently visiting London! They arrived safely at around 3 pm on Tuesday afternoon before heading straight out for dinner and a walk to the theatre via Buckingham Palace - where they even caught a glimpse of a royal visitor leaving just as they arrived!
On their second day, they visited Parliament for a guided tour led by HDS alumnus Nathan Glover, enjoyed a cruise along the River Thames, and explored the Science Museum, before wrapping up the day by watching the musical Back to the Future!
To round the trip off, they will be visiting Neasden Temple today before travelling back home to Cornwall. We look forward to hearing about all their adventures in the big city!
Humphry Davy School
3 Dec 2025
In 18th place, Maybelle, Year 11 student from Sowena House, brings Christmas cheer with her wonderfully quirky crowned octopus — full of colour and character! We loved it!
Humphry Davy School
2 Dec 2025
Today’s advent reveal is this charming Christmassy harbour scene by Year 8 student, Zachary, from Sowena House — peaceful, bright, and beautifully festive! Well done!
Humphry Davy School
2 Dec 2025
One for your calendars! Join us on Monday 15th December for a beautifully Christmassy evening.
Humphry Davy School
1 Dec 2025
This November, our teachers took on a very important (and sometimes itchy) challenge. Growing their best moustaches in support of Movember — the global campaign raising awareness for men’s health, including mental health, suicide prevention, and prostate and testicular cancer.
We’ve been impressed by the range of styles that appeared across the month, from subtle starter ’staches to impressively bold creations. Their commitment to the cause, and to the upper-lip spotlight, was fantastic to see.
While the moustaches will certainly be missed, we know a few teachers were more than ready for the big shave on Sunday!
A big well done to everyone who took part and helped shine a light on such an important cause.
Humphry Davy School
1 Dec 2025
The countdown begins! Our very first Christmas card advent, coming in at 20th place, was created by Year 7 student, Orion, from Sowenna House. We loved this card for its bold colours and unique design - well done!
Humphry Davy School
30 Nov 2025
We’re excited to announce the return of our HDS Christmas Card Competition! Last year’s event was a massive success, showcasing the incredible creativity and talent of our students. This year, we have seen equally as brilliant festive flair, imaginative designs, and artistic brilliance.
Keep an eye on our social media channels — we’ll be announcing the winners each day, sharing their fantastic designs and celebrating their hard work. Well done to all students who entered and have, in turn, earnt those all important House Points!
Last years winning Christmas card (pictured below) is available to purchase from Reception and all proceeds from card sales will be donated to charity, helping us spread a little more joy this festive season.
Humphry Davy School
27 Nov 2025
The Year 9 and 10 cricket team demonstrated some fantastic skills during the Penwith Indoor Cricket Tournament. They showed excellent teamwork, with each player making a significant contribution to their success. There was some brilliant batting, with several HDS students retiring, and plenty of stumps flying as they bowled out their opponents. The fielding was equally impressive, featuring sharp run-outs and calm, confident catches.
A special mention goes to Finn S, who took his first wicket in his first cricket tournament!
The boys will now take part in the Cornwall Finals at Truro College in March. Well done!
Humphry Davy School
26 Nov 2025
Five students, along with their horses, competed in the Cornwall Schools’ Show Jumping Competition on Sunday. Competing in the 60–65 cm and 70–75 cm classes, it was fantastic to see each horse and rider pair giving their all over every jump. You never know what challenges you may face in this exhilarating sport, and it was great to see our students taking on their courses with confidence and determination. Well done to our wonderful riders and to their lovely horses!
Humphry Davy School
25 Nov 2025
This week, the Morrab Gardeners’ House gang have fully embraced the outdoors. Following a bracing well-being session in the gardens, the students continued to make fantastic animations using puppets and collage which will be shown in February. We are really looking forward to seeing their final outcome. It is sure to be a true celebration of all the wonderful memories that Morrab Gardens and the town of Penzance hold. Thank you to the Penzance Community Hub and to The Gardeners’ House for including us in this fabulous community project.
Humphry Davy School
24 Nov 2025
The Year 7 rugby team have been in action recently at the West Cornwall rugby festival hosted in Truro. After a slow start, the team were able to start playing with more shape and fluency, beating three opposing teams. Overall, the team finished in joint second place. Well done to all of the players involved.
Humphry Davy School
21 Nov 2025
Save the Date!
Rehearsals are well underway for our upcoming musical, Bugsy Malone! Lines are being learned, stage positioning perfected, and musical arrangements mastered. We are thrilled to announce that this year’s production will be hosted at The Ritz — the perfect setting for this 1920s New York story. Make sure you mark the dates in your calendars now and keep an eye out for ticket details coming soon.
It’s sure to be a night to remember, and we can’t wait!!
Humphry Davy School
20 Nov 2025
We are delighted to share with you a very special gift that has found a new home at our school.
Penzance local, Mrs Ashley, has generously donated her beautiful baby grand piano, an instrument filled with nearly 50 years of family history. Originally a gift from her late husband, this piano has travelled through decades of music making - from concerts to quiet practice moments - and has played almost every style imaginable. Now, it’s settling in wonderfully here at school with students already testing out melodies and discovering its rich, warm sound.
In the letter we received with the piano, Mrs Ashley wrote, “If it encourages one student to pursue a musical career, it will smile to itself for a task well done.”
We can already feel that reality coming to life and love the thought that this piano, with all its stories and memories, will continue its musical journey with the next generation of young pianists. It feels incredibly special to know that new memories will be created on keys that have meant so much to one family.
Mrs Ashley also kindly donated a large box of piano music — which one excited young pianist has already had a good rummage through!
Thank you, Mrs Ashley, for passing on such an inspiring legacy.
Humphry Davy School
19 Nov 2025
Calling all 2025 leavers!
Please remember to RSVP as soon as possible with your name and the number of seats you require (maximum 4 guests per student).
We look forward to celebrating your 5 years at HDS! See you then.
Humphry Davy School
19 Nov 2025
Our Year 7 students enjoyed an action packed two days on camp! They kicked things off with a full day of exciting activities, including bowling and laser tag, before heading to Plymouth Aquarium for a truly unforgettable experience — spending the night inside the aquarium!
The next day, the adventure continued with a visit to the incredible Eden Project, where students explored the biomes and learned all about the world’s ecosystems.
A trip packed with big memories — well done, Year 7!
Humphry Davy School
18 Nov 2025
Over half term, students spent an unforgettable week in Mirleft, a stunning coastal town in southern Morocco. Our annual surfing trip to this fabulous location offers superb waves and an abundance of culture for our students to enjoy.
With perfect conditions throughout the trip, students of all abilities made remarkable progress. Beginners gained confidence in the white water, mastering balance and learning to ride their first waves. Improvers took their skills to the next level, catching some of the best green waves of their lives! Every student demonstrated resilience and enthusiasm, and the instructors were full of praise for their positive attitudes and teamwork.
Our students also enjoyed a delicious range of locally sourced, traditional Moroccan dishes, prepared fresh each day by local cooks. Meals included; Msemen - warm, layered Moroccan pancakes, Merguez - sausages and kefta, as well as slow-cooked beef tagines and beautifully seasoned whole baked fish. Many students were adventurous with their food choices and were excited to try new flavours.
A highlight of the week was their visit to Tiznit, famous for its silver jewellery and traditional craftsmanship. Students met a local jewellery maker, observed intricate silversmithing techniques, and learned about the cultural importance of these designs. They then put their bartering skills into practice in the local markets - an activity filled with laughter, learning, and some impressive negotiating!
Throughout the trip, our students embraced every opportunity to explore the local area, interact respectfully with residents, and learn about Moroccan traditions and daily life. Their curiosity, engagement, and excellent behaviour were a credit to our school.
This trip offered a wonderful blend of adventure, culture, and personal growth. Students returned home with new skills, stronger friendships, and memories that will last a lifetime.
Humphry Davy School
12 Nov 2025
Our school fell silent at 11am yesterday in remembrance of those who have served, and who continue to serve, our country.
The two minutes' silence was brilliantly observed, ending with the Last Post echoing around our school grounds for all to hear. Students then laid a wreath at our memorial, followed by a short service in the gallery.
A big thank you to the students who honoured their uniforms by wearing them proudly today, and to Mr Street for performing this poignant song so beautifully, the strong wind conditions certainly helped carry the song around the school!
We will remember them.
Humphry Davy School
10 Nov 2025
Our thanks go to the senior students from Humphry Davy School and Mounts Bay Academy who came together to lay wreaths and pay their respects on Remembrance Sunday.
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Contact Us
Headteacher William Marshall
Humphry Davy School, Coombe Road, Penzance,Cornwall, TR18 2TG
- 01736 363 559
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