Subject: Welcome to Harwich and Dovercourt High School – Your Journey Begins

Dear Parent/Carer,

I am delighted to welcome you and your child to the Harwich and Dovercourt High School community. Over the coming months, we will be working closely with you to ensure a smooth and positive transition from primary to secondary education. This is an exciting time for your child, and we are here to support you every step of the way.

As part of our commitment to keeping you well-informed and supported, you will receive a weekly email from me every Friday between now and the end of the school year. (The first to follow this afternoon, containing information relating to Induction Day on Thursday 26th June.)

Each message will provide you with key information about life at HDHS, practical arrangements for the start of term, and insights into what makes our school a place where every student is prepared to thrive.

We encourage you to explore it with your child. On our website, you’ll find everything from uniform information and curriculum details to our transition schedule and policies – all clearly laid out to help you feel confident and informed about what lies ahead.

At Harwich and Dovercourt, we believe in a culture of Preparedness. Our school ethos is built around four core values, which you’ll hear more about in the coming weeks. We expect all students to be:

Prepared to Achieve – showing positive attitudes to learning
Prepared to Belong – wearing their uniform with pride and being part of our school community
Prepared to Connect – following our school rules and behaving with respect
Prepared to Develop – setting goals, embracing new experiences, and growing into confident young people
These expectations are not just rules – they are the foundation of our inclusive, ambitious, and supportive school culture.

We are proud of the diverse and vibrant community we serve, and we are deeply committed to offering an inclusive curriculum that meets the needs of every individual. Every student who joins us is encouraged to be themselves, to be curious, and to strive to be the best they can be – both academically and personally.

If you have any questions, big or small, please do not hesitate to get in touch. You can contact us via the website or by replying to this email. Our team is always happy to help.

I look forward to getting to know you and your child over the coming months and helping to prepare them for an exciting and successful start at Harwich and Dovercourt High School.

Warmest wishes,

Mrs Finch
Headteacher
Harwich and Dovercourt High Schoo

Upcoming Transition Day – Thursday 26th June

Dear Parent/Carer,

I hope you and your child are beginning to enjoy the excitement of the journey ahead as they prepare to join us at Harwich and Dovercourt High School. I’m delighted to also share with you the details of our Transition Day, which takes place on Thursday 26th June*.

This is one of the most important milestones in our transition calendar, and a wonderful opportunity for your child to experience a day in the life of an HDHS student.

Prior to Transition Day

In line with government guidelines, it is a requirement that every child with a medical need has an Individual Healthcare Plan (IHP). If your child has a medical condition, need or concern can I please ask that you complete this form ahead of the transition day:

Year 6 to Year 7 Individual Health Care Plan

Please note the school must be fully informed of any concern, no matter how small.

Please also complete this form if medication is to be stored and administered in school:

HDHS Medicine Administering Form

It is  a requirement that any medication to be administered in school must be brought to reception by a parent/carer. We cannot accept any medication if it is not in the original prescribed box, with the medical information leaflet. In regards to students with asthma, please indicate how often your child on average uses a preventative inhaler.

Please do not hesitate to contact the school if you have any queries regarding medication kept in school or to arrange a meeting to discuss your child’s IHP.

What to Expect on Transition Day

Arrival: 8.45am
Location: Student Entrance, Hall Lane – for a Welcome Assembly in the Main Hall
Departure: 2.45pm via the same Student Exit

• Throughout the day, our incoming Year 7s will:
• Take part in taster lessons taught by HDHS staff – including some of the teachers they may meet in September
• Get to know the school site, their peers and key staff
• Enjoy sports, games and team-building activities, building confidence and friendships ahead of September

This is a relaxed, friendly, and purposeful day that gives students the chance to start feeling at home in their new environment – one of the many ways we help them feel Prepared to Belong.

What to Bring

To ensure your child has the best possible experience, please ensure they come prepared with:

• Their primary school uniform – helping us identify students from each school and creating a sense of comfort
• A pen and pencil
• A packed lunch (snacks and water recommended too)
• Trainers for sports and outdoor activities
• A coat, or (if the weather is kind) sun cream and a hat – break times will be spent outside

Please note: Students will be free to leave at 2:45pm. If they are not collected, we will assume they have permission to walk home. If this is not the case, please do let us know in advance.

There will be a chance for you to have a coffee with the senior members of the school after transition day, a booking form for this will come out in the coming weeks.

Looking Ahead

This day marks the beginning of your child becoming Prepared to Connect – forming positive relationships, building trust with staff, and starting to understand our school culture and routines.

Please do take a moment to explore our website, where you’ll find helpful information about our curriculum, values, and support systems. Everything we do at HDHS is designed to support students in becoming Prepared to Achieve and Prepared to Develop – not only academically, but also personally and socially.

Should you have any questions about Transition Day or anything else related to your child’s move to secondary school, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We are here to support you, and we value the partnership we are beginning to build with you and your family.

We very much look forward to meeting our new Year 7s on Thursday 26th June. It will be a day full of smiles, curiosity, and the first steps of a wonderful journey.

Warmest wishes,
Mrs Finch
Headteacher
Harwich and Dovercourt High School

*’There will be additional transition mornings offered to students with SEN on Thursday 19th and Friday 20th June.  Invitations will be sent to primary schools who will advise you if your child has been invited.

Dear Parent/Carer,

I hope this message finds you well and that your child is beginning to feel excited about their journey to Harwich and Dovercourt High School. As we continue our weekly series of emails designed to support you during this transition, this week I would like to focus on one of the most significant factors in your child’s future success: attendance.

At Harwich and Dovercourt High School, we believe that every student deserves the best possible start to their secondary education. Central to this is making sure that students attend school every day, ready to learn, grow and take part in the full life of the school.

Why Attendance Matters

We expect all our students to achieve a minimum attendance rate of 96%, in line with Government expectations. While we aim for 100%, we consider attendance of 97% or higher to be excellent. Falling below this threshold will automatically prompt support from our attendance team.

There is a strong link between high attendance and academic success. Students who attend regularly not only achieve better academically, but they also build stronger friendships, develop greater confidence, and are better prepared for the demands of life beyond school. Good attendance is also a legal requirement – by registering your child at HDHS, you are taking on the responsibility to ensure they attend school regularly and punctually.

Our Commitment to You

We understand that sometimes absence is unavoidable. Our attendance team is here to support you and your child if any challenges arise. We work in partnership with Aquinas Provision and other agencies to provide tailored support when necessary. We also celebrate excellent attendance each term with a range of rewards and recognition to motivate and celebrate our students’ commitment.

To support your decisions around illness, we recommend the NHS guidance page:
👉 Is my child too ill for school?
This page is also linked on our website and helps us determine whether a reported absence can be authorised.

Please also take a moment to read the updated HDHS Attendance Policy 2024–2025 on our website.

Arbor Parent Portal / Parent App

Arbor Parent Portal or Parent App allows you to track your child’s attendance and behaviour, check and update contact details and provide parental consents as required. You can download Arbor Parent App from your app store. You will shortly receive an email to this address, from Arbor, inviting you to create an account.

Reporting Absence or Lateness

If your child is unwell or unable to attend school, please contact us before 8:30am each day of their absence by:

• Calling the school on 01255 245460 and leaving a message on the absence line

• Or contacting your child’s Student Support Assistant directly

If your child needs to leave school for a medical appointment, we ask that you provide evidence (such as an appointment letter). Wherever possible, please make appointments outside of school hours.

Students are expected on site and in their registration room by 8.35am. Any pupil arriving after this time will be marked late and will be expected to attend a keep-up session at lunchtime. Students who arrive late must sign in at the Lighthouse, between 08:36am and 08:55am. Entry after this time should be made through Reception. Persistent lateness will be treated seriously and may result in the same support processes as absence.

Holiday Requests and Legal Requirements

Term-time holidays will not be authorised, except in exceptional circumstances. Any unauthorised absence for holidays will result in a Penalty Notice, in accordance with guidance from the Department for Education.

As a reminder, under the Education Act 1996 (Section 7), all children of compulsory school age must receive full-time education. It is your legal duty as a parent or carer to ensure your child attends school regularly. Failing to do so can lead to a Penalty Notice, an Education Supervision Order, or prosecution.

Our Preparedness Agenda

Encouraging your child to be on time and present every day is one of the first ways we can begin to instil our core values of Preparedness:

• Prepared to Achieve – by being ready to learn and embracing their education

• Prepared to Belong – by turning up and being part of the HDHS community

• Prepared to Connect – by understanding the importance of commitment and responsibility

• Prepared to Develop – by making the most of every opportunity to grow

Get in Touch

If you would like to speak with a member of our team regarding attendance, we are here to help:

Charlotte Dunkley, Attendance Officer
📞 01255 245460 ext. 27157
📧 charlotte.dunkley@hdhs.school

Gary Simpson, Assistant Headteacher
📞 01255 245460 ext. 27131
📧 gary.simpson@hdhs.school

Thank you for supporting us in creating a learning environment where all students can thrive. Together, we can ensure your child is given every opportunity to succeed from the moment they step through our doors in September.

Warm regards,
Kate Finch
Headteacher
Harwich and Dovercourt High School

For mid -year applications, a Secondary mid-year application form needs to be completed and returned directly to your preferred school(s). A copy of the application form is available here, or can be requested from:

School Planning and Admissions, Essex County Council, P.O. Box 4261, Chelmsford CM1 1GS.

Tel: 0345 603 2200

Alternatively, a form can be downloaded from School Planning and Admissions website: www.essex.gov.uk/admissions.

Full details of the mid year application process are provided in the mid year application form’s accompanying booklet which is available by clicking below.

Mid Year Application Form

Admission appeals procedure 2025 – HDHS

To apply for Free School Meals please follow this link:  FSM Application Form

Changes to Free School Meals / Could you apply?