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

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

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 2pm. Please note school uniform can 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

Dear Parent/Carer,

As we continue through transition to your child joining us in September, I am writing to provide a quick recap of the key details we previously shared, as well as a few important new updates.

Reminder: 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.

Students should bring trainers as some groups will have a PE taster lesson. Also, any child who would like to take part in football on the 3G pitch at lunchtime must bring their boots with them.

Students should bring a packed lunch.

Reminder: 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.

Reminder: Does your child have a medical condition, need, allergy or concern?

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 as a matter of urgency.

Year 6 to Year 7 Individual Health Care Plan.

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

Medication: Please also complete the form below 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 schools medical officer, Ms Johnson, if you have any queries regarding medication kept in school or to arrange a meeting to discuss your child’s IHP.

Ms Johnson can be contacted via telephone 01255 245460 or via email laura.johnson@hdhs.school

Please complete these forms ahead of Induction Day on Friday, 26th June.

Further Information - Transition

Your Child’s Pastoral Team

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

Mrs Honeyman – Head of Year 7

Miss Beynon – Assistant Head of Year

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 from Arbor, inviting you to create an account.

Parent Pay

You will shortly receive an 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. inviting you to create an account. Please let us know if you do not receive this information or if you experience any problems logging in.

School Uniform

For a full and up-to-date list of our uniform expectations, please refer to our official School Uniform Policy, which is attached to this email and available on our website.

The policy outlines what is expected in terms of school blazer, tie, trousers or skirt, PE kit, and appropriate footwear. We ask that all students wear their uniform with pride, every day. This is one of the clearest ways a student can demonstrate that they belong to our school community and are ready to be part of our respectful and aspirational school culture.

The school hosts a uniform sale on Tuesday, 4th August, between 11:30 am and 2:00 pm. Please note school uniform can also be purchased online at www.yourschoolwear.co.uk.

Curriculum Tours

Throughout June and July, we will be opening the school to current parents and families of our incoming Year 7 students for a series of Curriculum Tours. These tours provide an opportunity to see lessons taking place, visit key areas of the school and learn more about our curriculum, routines and wider school experience.

Parents of incoming Year 7 students are very welcome to attend any of the following dates:

Wednesday 1st July

Thursday 9th July

Friday 10th July

If you would like to attend, please complete the following form: Curriculum Tours

We are proud of the culture, learning and opportunities we are building here at HDHS and look forward to welcoming you into school. 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

Dear Parents and Carers,

RE: Friday’s Induction Day and the Hot Weather Forecast

I am writing to inform you that, in light of the exceptionally high temperatures forecasted for the remainder of this week, we have temporarily relaxed our school uniform expectations to ensure the comfort and well-being of our current students. We are looking forward to welcoming Year 6 children on Friday this week for their Induction Day.

Adjustments for Induction Day 2026:

  • Year 6 students are permitted to wear their school PE kit for their Induction Day at Harwich and Dovercourt High School, or

  • Students should wear their standard primary school summer uniform.

Arrangements for Friday:

To help us keep your child as comfortable as possible on Friday, please ensure they bring:

  • A refillable water bottle

  • Sun protection

  • A sun hat

We will carefully consider our plans for the day to make sure your child has a productive Induction Day to help ensure they are prepared to start with us in September, whilst also helping them to deal with the expected higher temperatures.

Please ensure your child arrives with a pen, pencil and ruler as well as their packed lunch. (We will provide a school packed lunch for any children who are entitled to Free-School Meals). Some groups will have PE lessons, please ensure they wear/bring trainers.

Reminder: Does your child have a medical condition, need, allergy or concern?

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 as a matter of urgency:

Year 6 to Year 7 Individual Health Care Plan.

The school must be fully informed of any concern, no matter how small. Please complete these forms ahead of Induction Day on Friday, 26th June.

We look forward to meeting the Year 6 students when they arrive at our school at 8.40am on Friday.

Yours sincerely,

Simon Essex

Executive Headteacher