Primary Transition

We work very closely with our local primaries schools, parents and students to ensure a smooth transition from Primary School to High School.

Our Primary School Transition Day 2026 is arranged for Friday 26th June.

The page will be continuously updated throughout the summer term with information that we share directly with parents each update provides 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.

Warmest wishes

HDHS

Parents/Carers of: Year 6 Students

May 2026

Dear Parents/Carers

September is only a few months away, and we are delighted that your child will be joining us at Harwich and Dovercourt High School.  Mrs Honeyman, who will be the Head of Year 7, looks forward to working with your child and the rest of our next cohort of Year 7 students.  Ms Beynon will be the Assistant Head of Year 7.  We will contact primary schools to make arrangements to meet the new students and arrange transfer details.  Other colleagues, including Miss Piper, our Director of SEND, have been working with primary schools to gather information about students’ individual needs. 

There are several important dates and arrangements for you to note:

Induction Day – Friday 26th June 2026

Students should arrive by 8:40 am and will be dismissed at 2:50 pm. Students will be welcomed by senior members of staff and our student guides.  They should wear their current school uniform and bring pens, pencils etc.  

 

Lunch and Break Arrangements on Friday 26th June

Please ensure your child has sufficient food and drink for the day. We will provide a packed lunch for those children entitled to free school meals. If they have any particular dietary requirements or allergies, please contact us at transition@hdhs.school.  

You will receive a letter via email directly from ParentPay with details of how to pay for your child’s meals from September.  This account will also be used to pay for school trips. 

 

Parents’ Induction Evening – Wednesday 1st July 2026

This is an opportunity to hear more about the arrangements for September, but most of all to meet key members of staff who will play an important role in your child’s education. There will be three presentations during the evening, and we would ask you to click here to indicate which of the sessions you will be attending. The event will last about 40 minutes.  

 

Tutor Group

The students will meet their Tutor as part of the programme on Friday, 26th June. Tutor groups will be mixed attainment and include a mix of students from different primary schools.  Whilst students will spend some of their time each day in their tutor groups. Subject lessons, however, will be organised to ensure that students are supported and challenged appropriately. As a consequence, students will get to work with a wide range of different students.

 

School Admission 

As a crucial part of the admission process, we are required to collect important information in relation to your child for our school database.  This information is normally collected by us from your child’s current primary school.  We will then ask you to check the information carefully in our online Arbor app.  We will be in touch in due course with details of how to access the app and check the information we have for your child.

 

School Uniform

The school hosts a uniform sale on Tuesday, 4th August, between 11:30 am and 14:00 pm. Please note school uniform can also be purchased online at www.yourschoolwear.co.uk.

 

First Day of School – Wednesday 2nd September 2026

The first day of term will be for Year 7 only. 

 

We go to great lengths to help the children settle into school smoothly.  If you have any worries or concerns during this time, or in the future, please do not hesitate to contact us in school by contacting our dedicated email address: transition@hdhs.school.


 

Yours sincerely

 

Mr S Essex

Executive Headteacher