Primary Transition

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 School

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, available here:
 HDHS Attendance Policy 24/25

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

Dear Parent/Carer,

I hope you and your child are feeling increasingly confident as we continue the journey towards joining us here at Harwich and Dovercourt High School in September. This week, I’d like to share with you the details around one of the most important practical aspects of starting secondary school: uniform.

At HDHS, we place great importance on our school uniform—not simply because it looks smart (although it does!), but because it plays a key role in helping students feel part of something. It’s a powerful signal that they belong here and are ready to be part of a community built on shared values. Each year group has a coloured striped tie - for Year 7 in September 2025 tie's will be ORANGE. The orange striped tie will remain with them throughout each year.

This is just one part of how we prepare students to be Prepared to Belong, one of the four pillars of our Preparedness Agenda, which underpins everything we do.

Dear Parent/Carer,

As we continue our series of emails supporting you and your child through the transition to Harwich and Dovercourt High School, you will be pleased to know that we have extra transition events added in to the end of this term.

Additional Transition Events

All students are invited to attend an assembly, a lesson and a bespoke tour of the school on the following dates:

• Spring Meadow, All Saints and St. Joseph's on the 1st and 8th July
• Mayflower and Harwich Primary on 2nd and 9th July
• Chase Lane and St. Michael's on 3rd and 10th July

Students are to be brought to HDHS for 8.25 arrival time, to the main school entrance where they will be signed in by senior staff in the school.  If you already have HDHS uniform for your child, please allow them to wear it, if not, their primary school uniform is fine.

Primary schools will make their own arrangements for the students to be collected at 10am to walk back to school so that the journey to and from HDHS is demystified. Except St Michael's who will require parental collection to take them from the main reception at HDHS to St. Michael's.

Big Knowledge

 I’m also delighted to introduce one of the most exciting and distinctive aspects of our school: our Big Knowledge Curriculum.

This is not just what your child will learn at HDHS—it’s about how they will learn, why it matters, and how it will shape their view of the world. It’s a curriculum rooted in ambition, inclusivity, and a deep belief that every child should have access to the cultural capital and core knowledge that helps them thrive both in and beyond the classroom.

What is the Big Knowledge Curriculum?

At HDHS, we believe that all our students should be "in on the knowledge". This means having the core academic and cultural literacy needed to understand the stories, idioms, and ideas that underpin our national conversation. It’s about being able to share the joke, join in the debate, and feel confident in any setting.

Our curriculum goes beyond the basics. We want our students to be able to:

• Think deeply and critically about the world around them
• Develop their curiosity through rich and varied learning experiences
• Talk confidently about global and cultural issues
• Read widely, both for purpose and pleasure
   

This ambition is central to our Preparedness Agenda, particularly helping students to be Prepared to Achieve and Prepared to Develop—not only in exams but as articulate, thoughtful individuals.

How Do We Deliver This?

We use a wide range of carefully structured experiences to build a knowledge-rich curriculum across Key Stage 3 (Years 7–9), including:

• Specialist lessons planned by passionate subject leaders, built on national standards and filled with carefully chosen content.
   
• Associate Teacher lessons, replacing traditional supply cover, to maintain curriculum consistency.
   
• Tutor time programmes that include reading, discussion, and structured personal development.
   
• Enrichment weeks, including Big Question Weeks and Awe & Wonder events, which stretch thinking and spark curiosity.
   
• Assemblies and environmental learning, linking the classroom to wider society and global issues.
   
• Carefully planned trips, such as the whole Year 7 visit to London, designed to enhance classroom learning and build cultural capital.

Building Reading, Thinking and Lifelong Learning

Reading sits at the heart of our Big Knowledge Curriculum. In every subject, students read for purpose and understanding. Beyond the classroom, we promote a love of reading for pleasure through our library, tutor-led reading sessions, and whole-school reading times—including during assemblies.

We regularly assess reading ages and provide targeted support through our SEND faculty, English department, and tutor interventions where needed. Our goal is to ensure every student becomes a confident, independent reader—because we know this is the foundation for future success.

Life Beyond Lessons

Learning at HDHS doesn’t end with the bell. Our Opportunity Curriculum celebrates and rewards students for engaging in enriching activities outside of school, such as:

• Visiting art galleries or museums
   
• Watching meteor showers or writing a story
   
• Trying a new hobby or attending a performance

These experiences develop oracy, confidence and aspiration—and they help students be Prepared to Connect with the world beyond Harwich.

Character, Culture and Citizenship

As part of their Key Stage 3 journey, your child will also benefit from a thoughtful programme of Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHEE), including Relationships and Sex Education (RSHE), Citizenship, and Careers education.

These lessons, combined with our pastoral care, assemblies and guest speaker events, support students in developing their values, ambitions and sense of self. Students are taught to:

• Respect others and value diversity
   
• Take responsibility for their actions
   
• Develop a strong sense of justice and fairness
   
• Plan for a successful future

You can find more details in our PSHEE and Careers policies on our website.

Looking Ahead

At HDHS, we want every student to leave us not only with strong qualifications but also with a strong sense of themselves—confident, informed, and ready for the world. That journey starts in Year 7, and our Big Knowledge Curriculum ensures your child is Prepared to Achieve and Prepared to Develop from the very start.

If you’d like to learn more about our curriculum, please explore our website:

As always, if you have any questions, we’re here to help.

Warm regards,
Kate Finch
Headteacher
Harwich and Dovercourt High School

Dear Parent/Carer,

I hope this message finds you and your child well and excited about the journey ahead to Harwich and Dovercourt High School. This is the sixth email in our transition series, designed to give you a clear and reassuring insight into the kind of school your child will be joining in September. In this letter, I’d like to share something close to our hearts at HDHS: our identity as a reading school.

At HDHS, we believe that reading is the foundation of all learning. It is an essential skill not only for academic success, but for life. The ability to read confidently, to understand, evaluate, and articulate ideas, empowers young people to become curious learners, critical thinkers, and compassionate individuals.

Reading for Purpose, Reading for Pleasure

We view reading as both purposeful and joyful. Our aim is for all students to develop fluency and confidence in reading, but also to experience the pure pleasure of getting lost in a story, of laughing aloud at a character’s antics, or of seeing the world from someone else’s perspective. Reading can spark imagination, build empathy, and offer comfort — and at HDHS, we want every child to find that one special book that helps them feel seen and understood.

We actively promote reading in every subject, because we understand that to be a scientist, a historian, a designer, or an artist, students need to read, write and speak as experts. Reading underpins progress in all curriculum areas, and students who develop strong literacy skills early on are more likely to achieve well throughout their time at school — and beyond.

What Can You Expect in Year 7?

From the very beginning of Year 7, your child will experience the richness of our reading culture. Every new Year 7 student is welcomed with a gift of a carefully chosen book. Later in the autumn term, students receive a second book through the national Book Buzz programme, where they can choose from a wide range of exciting and age-appropriate titles. These books are theirs to keep — small but meaningful ways to help build their personal library.

In addition:

• Our school library is open and inviting, well-stocked with fiction and non-fiction across a wide range of genres, cultures and interests.
   

• A Recommended Reads list helps guide students to books that challenge and inspire.
   

• Author visits, reading competitions and themed events bring the world of books to life in vibrant and engaging ways.
   

• Every student has access to Sparx Reader, an interactive programme that supports regular reading and thoughtful engagement with texts.
   

• Students’ reading is assessed through the New Group Reading Test (NGRT) twice during Year 7. This allows us to identify those who need extra support, as well as those ready to be further challenged.

  ---

   

Reading and the Preparedness Agenda

Reading is a key part of how we support students to be Prepared to Develop — one of the four pillars of our Preparedness agenda. When students engage with reading, they develop not only academic vocabulary but also the ability to think deeply, reflect, and grow as individuals. A strong reader is more likely to be a confident communicator, a creative thinker and an active learner — all traits that help them thrive in school and in life.

Reading also supports students in being Prepared to Achieve, as it strengthens the cognitive and language skills required for success across subjects. And by reading texts that reflect a range of voices and experiences, our students become more Prepared to Connect — both with the curriculum and with the world around them.

How You Can Support at Home

You play a vital role in your child’s reading journey. We encourage you to:

• Talk to your child about what they’re reading.
   

• Share your own favourite books and authors.
   

• Make reading a part of your family routine — even just 20 minutes a day makes a significant difference.

Transition Day - Thursday 26th June 2025

We look forward to meeting all our new students at Transition Day next Thursday! Y6 students are invited to use our Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) during their lunch break, students must wear football / astro boots to be able to use this area. Trainers are not permitted.

Parents are invited to have a coffee with the senior members of the school after transition day, we ask you to confirm your attendance via the following google form: Coffee with Senior Team

Thank you, as always, for your continued support. 

With warm regards,

Kate Finch
Headteacher
Harwich and Dovercourt High School

Dear Parent/Carer,

Thank you for joining us for our recent Transition Day — it was a real pleasure to welcome your child through the gates of Harwich and Dovercourt High School and see them begin to take their first steps as part of our school community.

We were immensely proud of the way our incoming Year 7 students approached the day. They were curious, polite, and engaged throughout — an early indication that this is going to be a truly special year group. The behaviour, enthusiasm and maturity shown during the day was exemplary. We’re excited to get started in September!

The students left school yesterday with a folder containing further information to aid their transition, including a letter inviting you to log into ParentPay, if you have any issues accessing this please don't hesitate to contact us.

Your Child’s Pastoral Team

One of the most important aspects of secondary school is the pastoral support we provide — and at HDHS, we take this responsibility seriously. Our students thrive because they know they are seen, supported, and known as individuals.

I’m delighted to formally introduce your child’s Year 7 Pastoral Team, who they met during Transition Day and who will play a key role in supporting them throughout their first year:

Miss Bradshaw – Head of Year 7

Miss Bradshaw has been at Harwich and Dovercourt High School since 2003 and is an experienced and deeply respected Head of Year. She brings a wealth of knowledge and compassion to the role, and is committed to ensuring that every student feels safe, supported and able to achieve their best.

Mrs Maasz – Assistant Head of Year

Mrs Maasz joined HDHS in 2000 and has been an integral part of the pastoral team ever since. She works closely with students and families to ensure that every child is able to succeed socially, emotionally and academically.

Mrs Hammett – Student Support Assistant

Mrs Hammett joined the school in 1999 and is the friendly, reassuring presence students turn to on a daily basis. She provides vital day-to-day support, often acting as the first point of contact for students who need help navigating school life.

Together, this team will be the backbone of your child’s support system at HDHS. They are highly experienced, incredibly approachable, and wholly dedicated to helping your child settle in, feel confident, and flourish. If you have any questions, concerns or just want to introduce yourself, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

A Team Rooted in Our Preparedness Agenda

This team is central to our Preparedness Agenda, especially in supporting students to be:

• Prepared to Belong – by upholding our values and expectations, including wearing the school uniform with pride and becoming part of our school community.
   

• Prepared to Connect – by understanding and following school routines, and building positive relationships with staff and peers.
   

• Prepared to Develop – by receiving guidance on personal growth, emotional wellbeing, and academic success.
   

Their role is not just reactive—they work proactively to guide and support students through the many changes and challenges of secondary school, ensuring no one feels lost in the crowd.

What Comes Next

Now that your child has visited the school, met teachers, and experienced a taste of lessons and life at HDHS, the countdown to September really begins.

In the coming weeks, we’ll continue sharing important information about school routines, reporting, and how you can support your child with homework and reading at home. If you haven’t already, please do take a look at our website for more on what life at HDHS is like:

Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope this message finds you well and that your family is enjoying the British summer as the start of the new school year draws closer.

Over the past few weeks, it has been a genuine pleasure to begin welcoming your child into the Harwich and Dovercourt High School (HDHS) community. From Transition Day to the many conversations we've had with families, it is already clear that this new cohort of students is full of potential—and we can’t wait to get started in September.

At HDHS, we are committed to working in partnership with you to ensure your child flourishes both academically and personally. One of the ways we embed this collaboration is by actively listening to what matters most to you as parents and carers.

What Are Your Hopes for Your Child?

We believe every young person deserves to be supported not just as a learner, but as an individual with dreams, challenges, strengths, and goals. That’s why we’re inviting you to share your hopes and aspirations for your child as they begin their journey with us.

This is more than just a formality. We will refer back to your words at key points during your child’s time with us—during pastoral meetings, academic reviews, and celebrations of success. Your voice matters, and we want to make sure that your hopes remain part of the journey all the way through to Year 11.

You may wish to consider the following prompts as you write:

• What personal qualities would you like your child to develop?
   

• What academic goals do you hope they will strive for?
   

• What skills do you hope they will gain to prepare them for the future?
   

• How do you see your child contributing to the school community?
   

• What kind of support do you feel they will need from us?
   

• What are their interests and aspirations beyond the classroom?
   

• What values are important to you that you would like us to reinforce?
   

• How do you hope your child will reflect on their school experience in five years’ time?
   

You don’t need to write at length—just a few paragraphs will give us a powerful insight into how best to support your child.

Please send your response by Friday 12th September to transition@hdhs.school or hand a paper copy into our school Reception.

Rooted in Our Preparedness Agenda

Your aspirations will also help us support your child through the lens of our Preparedness Agenda, which shapes everything we do at HDHS:

• Prepared to Achieve – by setting goals and working hard to succeed.
   

• Prepared to Belong – by being proud to be part of a vibrant and inclusive school community.
   

• Prepared to Connect – by learning how to navigate expectations and form positive relationships.
   

• Prepared to Develop – by thinking ahead and becoming the best version of themselves.
   

Your perspective, combined with our experience and support systems, ensures that together we give every student the opportunity to thrive.

Thank you again for choosing HDHS. We are honoured to be part of your child’s journey and look forward to building a strong, collaborative relationship with you over the next five years.

If you have any questions or would like to speak further, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

With warmest regards,
Kate Finch
Headteacher
Harwich and Dovercourt High School