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At DES, we believe relationships are key. The house system provides a sense of family and belonging within the school environment. Each pupil is assigned to one of our four houses on entry. Each house contains pupils across the year groups, from the Year 7 right through to Year 13. Rubbing shoulders with older and younger pupils in the same house allows new pupils to settle in early, whilst offering the opportunity for friendship, mentoring and leadership responsibility along the way.

The House competition is held throughout the year and takes the form of sporting, music, performing arts and academic events that are held on a fortnightly basis. Each term culminates in a 'blue ribbon' event such as House Music, House Art, or House Drama in which pupils work collaboratively in their houses to put on a whole school performance or display.

At the end of the summer term, the points awarded for each event are totaled up to decide the winning house for the academic year.​

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