End of academic year 2025/2026
Dear Parents and Carers
I am writing to update you at the end of what has been a busy year at Harwich and Dovercourt High School.
Student Leadership Team Update
We interviewed 5 amazing Year 10 students who had all applied to be Head Student. All of the students performed extremely well. I am pleased to inform you that we have appointed the following students as Head Students:
Keira F
Chloe H
Yashica J
Lottie S
Lily W-P
Staffing Changes
We are saying goodbye to a few of our teachers in July as they each move on to new challenges:
Miss Gardiner-Irvine (Head of Vocational Faculty), Miss Plummer (Science), Ms Jenkins (Technology), Miss McNeish (History) and Ms Randall (Associate Teacher Team). I am sure you will join me in thanking them all and wishing them well for the future.
We have, however, made some very strong appointments too. I am pleased to inform you that we are fully staffed in all subjects for next academic year. We will be welcoming:
Ms Humphris (English), Ms Salthouse (Maths), Miss Wynne (Science), Dr Gladwin (Science) and Miss Staras (Maths).
You will probably notice that we have recruited more teachers this year than we are saying goodbye to. This is part of the Sigma Trust’s investment to help us to deliver our School Improvement Plan.
Uniform
Please note there are details on our website about our school uniform. (To access this information click here). I would be extremely grateful if you could check these details before purchasing any new clothing for your child. This is particularly the case for black trousers, shorts and skirts. I would like to remind you that trousers should not be skinny trousers, jeans or leggings and skirts should only be a pleated style, which is of a professional length.
The website also details what type of coat is permitted to be worn on top of students’ blazers. Please reinforce with your child that if they feel cold, they should wear an appropriate number of layers beneath their school uniform and/or wear an appropriate coat when not in lessons. All hoodies and non-school jumpers are not allowed on site, they should be removed at the gates and placed in the students’ bag for the day.
School shoes also need to be completely black, no other colour to soles or embellishments / logos. Plain black trainers are also within our policy. All shoes should be worn with white or black socks only.
If your child is considering any facial piercings, please remember that only a single, simple nose piercing is acceptable (these must be able to be removed for practical lessons). All other facial piercings are not acceptable and will need to be removed in September during the school day. Small, discreet/professional earrings are allowed but these will also need to be removed for PE lessons.
Old Uniform
Given the economic times we are facing as a society we have been trying to increase the availability of uniform that we hold for families to benefit from without cost. If you are replacing your child’s uniform and you are willing to donate any uniform that is in good condition, please arrange to drop it off at our school reception for our “Uniform Loans” in September.
Mobile Phones
Please be aware that in line with new Department for Education statutory guidance, our school will become a strictly phone-free environment starting in September 2026. Under this "not seen or heard" policy, students must not use or display mobile phones or visible headphones at any point during the school day, including breaktimes and lunchtimes. This is from the moment they cross the school gates. Any breaches will result in a clear, staged sanctions hierarchy starting with phone confiscation and school detentions, progressing to time in our Out of Circulation Room, parent meetings, or even more serious sanctions for continued non-compliance. If you need to contact your child during the school day, please do so via the school office. We appreciate your full support in reinforcing these rules to help us foster a safer, distraction-free environment focused on learning; our complete Mobile Phone Policy will be available on the school website after the Summer Break and we will write to you then with more details.
Well-being
We recognise that for some students, the end of the school year and the daily contact at school means that some of the support and help may be missed. Although students are not onsite, the support is still in place and is always available. For further support and external agencies please see the school's website through the following link: Support Information.
Next Academic Year
For the new students starting in Year 7, please note the first day in school is Wednesday 2nd September 2026. For all other students, the first day in school is Thursday 3rd September. Please ensure your child arrives promptly. (Before 8.35am)
During the summer break, please ensure that your child is well-equipped for school in September (pens, pencils, ruler, rubber and calculator) all in a suitable back-pack for moving safely around the school with these and any other belongings.
Essential and Recommended Equipment
Being prepared for learning is as important as wearing the correct uniform. Students who bring the right equipment each day are ready to learn, stay organised, and develop valuable independent study habits.
Essential Equipment (must be brought every day):
Black or blue pen, Pencil and a Reading book
Recommended Equipment:
Coloured pen (for feedback and self-assessment), Highlighters, Ruler, Eraser, Scientific calculator, Protractor and compass (for Mathematics), Soft and hard pencils (for Art and Graphics) and Colouring pencils (for Science, Geography and other subjects)
Please ensure your child carries a suitable backpack to move safely around the school with all their belongings, and check that equipment is named.
Important Autumn Term Dates
Please add these key dates to your diaries for the upcoming term:
- 17 September: Tutor Evening (All Years)
- 15 October: Parents Evening (Year 11)
- 26-30 October: Half Term
- 27 November: Non-student day
- 2 December: Presentation Evening (All Years)
Our full term dates for the 2026/27 academic year are attached and in particular, we would like to draw your attention to the Staff Training Day on 22 February 2027 which will no longer be taking place and all children will be expected to be in school that day. I apologise for this late change but this has been caused by factors outside of our control.
In addition, I also want to give advance warning that the Sigma Trust has now approved our plan to have two additional Academy Days. (These are non-student days for students in Years 7 to 10 so that we can deliver additional staff training to help us make the improvements that the school requires. Please note students in Year 11 will be expected in school). These additional training days will be:
- Friday 23 October 2026
- Friday 4 December 2026
I hope that you and your family have a nice summer break and that your child returns to school well-rested and excited for the academic year ahead.
Best wishes to them, you and all of your family
Mr S Essex
Executive Headteacher