- Home
- About Us
- Headteacher's Welcome
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parent/Carer,
Please accept this letter as a communication sheet designed to point you in the right direction for communication with school and other frequently asked questions (FAQs). It is designed to be a one-stop shop of information.
Please let us know if you would like a hard copy of this for the fridge door and we will print it off for you and send it home with your child.
What is Preparedness?
The Preparedness agenda is the code of conduct for the whole school including behaviours we expect from all students. It is in the form of ABCD for ease of remembering. We expect students to be:
- Prepared to Achieve (as demonstrated through their AtL)
- Prepared to Belong (as demonstrated by wearing their uniform correctly)
- Prepared to Connect (as demonstrated by connecting with the school rules)
- Prepared to Develop (as demonstrated by wanting to learn and grow as a person as well as thinking about their future goals)
What is AtL?
Attitude to Learning. It is a simple 4 point scale to keep it understandable for the students. Teachers, when reporting on AtL will go with a ‘best fit’ to summarise the AtL of the student for the period of time since the last AtL report.
The student friendly version of the descriptors are:
| AtL 4 |
|
|---|---|
| AtL 3 |
|
| AtL 2 |
|
| AtL 1 |
|
Students’ AtL is reported on 5 times per year and their average score calculated accordingly. The expectation is for a student to be at an average of 2.8 which is recognised at certain points in the year with a recognition activity.
The behaviour for learning policy means that all students have multiple chances to connect with the behaviour expectations but, if they choose not to connect then sanctions do escalate daily. Sanctions begin with a very short restorative conversation with staff at the end of a lesson giving the student a chance to move on quickly without escalation. The behaviour policy outlines the escalation process in more detail.
This policy was designed around student, parent and staff feedback. If the behaviour expectations are not met due to poor classroom behaviour, incomplete homework or out of lesson disruption then a sanction will be set for the next working day and communicated with the student and parent. If the sanction is not completed it will automatically escalate to the higher sanction the next working day (unless a student is absent from school and then the sanction rolls to the next working day rather than escalates).
At HDHS, being a reading school means that reading is at the heart of our culture, valued as a vital skill for learning, personal growth, and enjoyment. A strong reading culture is evident across the school, with dedicated spaces, regular reading activities, and staff who model and celebrate reading. Students are given opportunities to engage actively with reading, both for pleasure and for purpose, as part of our shared ethos. Whether through class texts, independent reading, or wider curriculum links, reading is promoted as a key to success and a lifelong habit that we facilitate, nurture and expect all students to embrace.
For anything classroom based, please contact the Senior Faculty Member for that particular subject. All phone calls will go to our main reception on 01255 245460 and will be connected to the faculty.
| Faculty | Subjects | Who | |
|---|---|---|---|
| English & Communication |
|
Mrs Chapman | tracey.chapman@hdhs.school |
| Maths & Enterprise |
|
Mr Newley | darren.newley@hdhs.school |
| Science |
|
Miss Gill |
alexandra.poulson@hdhs.school |
| Art & Innovation |
|
Mrs Craigie | louise.craigie@hdhs.school |
| Humanities |
|
Mr Sears | peter.sears@hdhs.school |
| Languages & Culture |
|
Mrs Bell |
zoe.bell@hdhs.school |
| Vocational |
|
Mrs Gardiner | joanne.gardiner@hdhs.school |
It may be the case that the Faculty Lead asks the class teacher to contact you. In all cases, it is our policy that you have a holding email or phone call within 24 hours so that you know your message has been received.
For anything pastoral such as wellbeing, attendance or behaviour, please contact Student Services in the first instance who will be able to pass your message to the correct person.
Your child’s timetable can be found on the Satchel:One app or website. Login and you will see a number of available options; these include homework and timetable.
A guide, including a 7 minute video explaining the app, can be found here: https://www.teamsatchel.com/welcome-pack/welcome.html#parent-guide
You will receive an email and text message informing you on the day that it is set. This will usually be for the following day but sometimes may be in advance – the day will be specified in the message. You / your child would also be able to see any Keep Ups on their Arbor timetable.
Please find here the guidance given to schools across the country by the Education Secretary, Gillian Keegan regarding mobile phones.
Mobile phones are not banned from being in the possession of students, they just must not be seen or heard from 8.35am until 3pm. If you message your child during the school day, as long as their phone is switched off and in their bag then it will not cause a disturbance and your child can access the message when they switch their phone on at the end of the school day. If it is an urgent message, you can contact Student Services and we will immediately pass on any message by taking it to their classroom.
You can use Satchel:One to see an overall percentage of how often your child is late. Information can also be found on Satchel:One about your child’s homework and attendance and punctuality:
https://www.satchelone.com/login
You can register and log into Arbor as a parent if you would like more details about your child’s punctuality:
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Yours faithfully
Kate Finch
Headteacher
If you need to contact the Headteacher at any time, please email admin@hdhs.school and ask for this to be forwarded on to Mrs Finch.
Going Above and Beyond
