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Harwich and Dovercourt High School is a vibrant, caring school serving the community. Every student is welcomed, challenged and supported to achieve their full potential and every student has opportunities and experiences to ensure their schooling is fulfilling and enjoyable. At Harwich and Dovercourt High School we believe in partnerships between students, staff and the home. We believe in responsibility, ambition and commitment, where no challenge is too great and where great futures are nurtured.

Our goal is for every student to be proud of their efforts and achievements and for every parent and carer to be proud of their child, school and community. Our pledge is to work tirelessly in the pursuit of excellence.

Good relationships exist with our local primary schools. A wide range of activities take place, helping to build the excitement, reassurance and smooth transition to us in September.  We visit the primaries regularly and use their information and advice to help inform how students are grouped.

Each Year group is supported by a Progress Year Leader, Assistant Year Leader, Student Support Assistant and the students’ Tutors. This level of support and guidance is extensive and allows us to know our students’ progress and support them to maximise their potential.

Students are placed in a mixed ability tutor group but are taught in classes organised by ability ensuring students receive the level of challenge most suited to their needs.

At sixteen our students progress into our Sixth Form, opting to stay with the school, joining Sigma Sixth, because they value the good teaching, support and variety of courses we offer. A wide range of ‘A’ Levels, vocational courses and a one year course are on offer.  Great opportunities exist to work with students in the lower school and to take part in extra curricular activities and trips.

Sophisticated systems are used to track students’ progress and regular interim reports are issued to parents and carers.

Senior Leaders, Progress Year Leaders and a team of Tutors monitor students’ progress and provide co-ordinated intervention through a range of support systems.

Success is recognised and rewarded whether in the classroom or through achievement assemblies.

Good behaviour and attendance is expected and rewarded. A strong stepped sanction policy helps deter poor behaviour.  Central to students’ success is communication and partnership with home.

Success and enjoyment is not just about examination performance, it is also about the breadth of experiences we provide, ensuring our students leave us able to make good adult decisions and having fulfilled their aspirations and potential.

We are recognised for our quality Citizenship, Personal, Social and Health Education programmes.

We offer many sporting opportunities and achieve notable success both locally and regionally in competitions.

Extra curricular activities are broad and varied and as a Humanities Specialist School we place great importance upon foreign travel. This is in addition to the vast range of local trips.

School does not finish at 3pm. We remain open much later to ensure we provide every opportunity to support learning and utilise our excellent and extensive resources.

We believe in “working, reading and learning together”.