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  • June Update Letter - 2026

    Published 08/06/26


    Our Ref: DK/SB/jh/gltr/june 26    

    4th June 2026

    Dear Parent/Carer

    I hope you and your family are well. In this month’s letter, I’m writing to you with some key updates not only for our final half-term of the year, but also providing some advance notice of changes for September.

    Key upcoming dates and events in June 2026

    • Wednesday 17th June: Y10 Subject Parents’ Evening will take place from 4-7pm.
    • Thursday 18th June: Staff CPD - Delayed start for students (Gates open at 10.10am for a 10.25am start)
    • Friday 19th June - Official leaving date for Y13 students (Leaver’s assembly for students at 2:30pm)
    • Friday 26th June: School will be closed to students for a Staff CPD day
    • Monday 29th June - Friday 3rd July: Year 12 Work Experience week 
    • Monday 29th - Tuesday 30th June: Year 11 Sixth Form Induction Days


    Staff CPD in June
    The final delayed start due to the Embedding Formative Assessment programme, addressing areas for improvement that were from the Ofsted Report is on Thursday 18th June. As on previous occasions, students should arrive from 10:10am for a Period 2 start with all students being on site for 10.25am. Breakfast Club will run as normal.

    School will be closed to all students on Friday 26th June for a Staff CPD day with the focus on reviewing the Curriculum in readiness for the new school year in September. 


    Year 7 Faculty Enrichment Sessions - Monday 15th and Monday 6th July
    As part of our commitment to providing a wide range of enrichment opportunities, Year 7 Faculty Enrichment sessions were launched in the Autumn Term, with tutor groups taking part in one-hour, faculty-led activities. The final two sessions will take place from 3.30–4.30pm on Monday 15th June and Monday 6th July.


    Sixth Form events this summer: Y12 Work Experience / Y11 Induction / Y10 Taster Days
    As part of our Sixth Form and Careers provision, Work Experience will take place during the week beginning Monday 29th June. Year 12 students will be off timetable to complete a range of activities, including traditional placements, virtual experiences and in-school social action projects to develop key employability skills.

    During this time, we will run a two-day Sixth Form Induction for Year 11 applicants (both Holyhead and external students) on Monday 29th and Tuesday 30th June. This will include subject-specific lessons and team-building activities to support a smooth transition into Sixth Form in September.

    We will begin planning for Post-16 preparation with Year 10 on Thursday 9th and Friday 10th July with our Sixth Form Taster Days. Students will be off timetable and take part in A Level / Level 3 taster lessons in their chosen subjects, helping them to better understand their options ahead of Sixth Form and college applications in the autumn term.

    Year 6 Transition Days in July
    The final half-term of the school year will see Holyhead welcome our new Year 6 students joining in September for their Transition Days in July, a vital part of the transition programme to help our future students adjust to the change between primary and secondary school. To support organisation and staffing, one year group will work from home on these days, with remote learning provided by subject teachers. This will involve Year 7 students working from home on Wednesday 1st July and Year 8 students working from home on Tuesday 7th July. 
     

    Preparing for warmer weather: Heat alert guidance
    Following our May update and the recent half-term heatwave, we are sharing how we will respond to any further hot weather during term time. Our uniform expectations will remain as normal unless an official UK Weather Health Alert is issued. The UK Weather Health Alert system has four levels, with our response outlined below:

    • Green (no alert - considered normal summer temperature): Normal school routines and full uniform.
    • Yellow (warm weather - approx. 25°C+): Blazers may be removed; ties remain on and shirts tucked in. Students should bring water and use shaded areas at break and lunch.
    • Amber (approx. 30°C+): Blazers and ties may be removed; shirts must remain tucked in. Shaded areas and air-conditioned rooms will be available at lunchtime; hats may be worn outside only.
    • Red (significant risk): In extreme conditions, further measures will be taken. These may include timetable changes to use air-conditioned rooms, possible partial year group closure (with online learning), and students wearing PE kit. Shaded or air-conditioned spaces will be used at social times, and the astroturf will be closed. If conditions worsen, an early closure may be communicated.


    Changes to catering prices from September 2026
    As global events continue to drive increases in costs, we have carefully reviewed our pricing to minimise the impact on families. Alongside this, the Trust is working with School Food Matters creating an opportunity to further improve the quality and overall dining experience for pupils.

    Despite our efforts to keep prices as low as possible over the past year, rising ingredient and operational costs mean that from 1st September 2026, the cost of the school meal deal across the Trust will increase from £2.75 to £3.00 per day. This decision has been made carefully, with a clear focus on maintaining quality while keeping meals affordable. 
    Many other items will remain unchanged, and we have taken a targeted approach to limit increases on healthier options wherever possible. 


    Free School Meals update
    From Autumn 2026, the Department for Education is changing how Free School Meal eligibility is handled. New eligibility categories will mean that nationally, over half a million additional pupils will become eligible for Free School Meals under the new criteria.  This expansion will provide significant financial relief for families. If your household receives Universal Credit, you could save up to £495 per year per child on school lunches. For families with multiple children, these savings can make a substantial difference to household budgets.  Schools will now have to re-verify each student's eligibility once a year, and we will be asking anyone who wishes to be added to our eligibility checking and update service (OFSM) to supply their details (including National Insurance Number) in the coming weeks.

    We recognise that many families continue to feel the impact of rising living costs and remain committed to offering support where possible, including signposting to Citizens Advice which provides a wide range of support and guidance. Our free Breakfast Club will continue to run from 8:15am each day to support pupils with a positive start to the day, so please encourage your child to take advantage of this offer, both now and in September.


    I thank you again for your time in reading this letter and as ever, I wish you and your family well through June.

    Yours faithfully,
    Dave Knox
    Principal
     

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  • May half-term Update Letter - 2026

    Published 01/06/26


    Our Ref: DK/jh/gltr/may 26    

    22nd May 2026

    Dear Parent/Carer

    I’m writing to you ahead of the school breaking up for the May half-term holidays at 3.15pm today with some key updates ahead of our final half-term of the year. 

    Key upcoming dates and events in June 2026

    • Monday 1st June: Students return for the final half-term at 8.40am
    • Tuesday 26th - Wednesday 27th May: Y11/13 Half-Term Revision sessions
    • Wednesday 17th June: Y10 Subject Parents’ Evening will take place from 4-7pm.
    • Thursday 18th June: Staff CPD - Delayed start for students (Gates open at 10am for a 10.25am start)
    • Friday 26th June: School will be closed to students for a Staff CPD day

    May half-term Revision Sessions - Y11/13

    We will once again be running revision sessions over May half-term to support Y11 and Y13 students ahead of exams in June. Sessions will take place on Tuesday 26th and Wednesday 27th May, with sessions running from 10am–12pm and 12:30–2:30pm. Students will have received consent forms from teachers and should return these before attending the sessions.

    Presentation Evening update
    Due to unexpected complications with the planned venue, we have unfortunately had to cancel this year’s Presentation Evening event. Students will receive the awards that they would have ordinarily at Presentation Evening during their year group Awards Assemblies, and we are pleased to announce that Presentation Evening will return in June 2027 with a new venue in the form of the Bradshaw Hall at the BCU Conservatoire.

    Mobile Phones at Holyhead: The Blackout for Education App
    To support our mobile phone policy and updated government guidance, we will begin a phased introduction of the Blackout app from June, ahead of a full launch in September. The app restricts access to non-essential features (e.g. social media and games) during the school day, while allowing calls and texts. Further details on Blackout for Education and the plans for the launch will be shared in the June monthly update letter.

    Pre-loved Uniform: Supporting Our Community
    As we approach the final half-term, we welcome donations of good-quality uniforms, particularly from Y11 students finishing exams. Items such as blazers, ties, shirts, trousers and PE kit can be donated via reception or given to staff on duty. Donations are cleaned and made available to families at low cost, helping support our school community.

    I thank you again for your time in reading this letter and as ever, I wish you and your family well over the half-term holiday, especially to all of you who will be celebrating Eid-al-Adha next week.

    Yours faithfully,
    Dave Knox
    Principal
     

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  • May 2026 Letter - reminders around expectations

    Published 18/05/26

    Our Ref: DK/DR/jah/gltr-expectations    

    May 2026


    Dear Parent/Carer,

    As we continue through the school year, I am writing to reinforce the importance of maintaining high standards in school for all students in Years 7–10.

    At Holyhead School, we expect all students to develop strong habits that support their learning and progress. This includes:

    • Attending school every day and arriving on time
    • Being fully equipped and ready to learn
    • Completing all classwork and homework to the best of their ability
    • Demonstrating positive behaviour and a respectful attitude in lessons and around the school

    These routines are essential in helping students build the knowledge, skills and resilience they need to be successful, both now and in the future.

    Uniform standards are also a key part of our expectations. All students should attend school in full and the correct uniform everyday.  This includes wearing the correct items, ensuring uniform is worn appropriately, and avoiding any non-permitted items.  Maintaining high standards in uniform helps to promote a sense of pride, belonging, and readiness to learn.  Where students do not meet expectations, they will be supported to correct this, but we ask for your support in ensuring your child leaves home dressed appropriately for school each day.  Please see the uniform policy on the school website and details of the uniform on the parent portal (click on the link to the website: Holyheadschool.org.uk).

    Over the coming weeks, we will continue to emphasise the importance of:

    • Consistent effort in all subjects
    • Taking pride in presentation and quality of work
    • Responding positively to feedback and acting on it
    • Revising and reviewing learning regularly, not just before assessments
    • We ask for your support in reinforcing these expectations at home. Encouraging your child to stay organised, meet uniform expectations, complete their work, and take responsibility for their learning will make a significant difference.

    If you have any questions or require further support, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

    Thank you for your continued support.

    Yours sincerely,

    Mrs D Reddy
    Deputy Principal - Behaviour and Attendance

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  • February 2026 Update Letter

    Published 05/02/26
    Dear Parent/Carer I hope you and your family are well as we move towards the half-term holidays at the end of next week. The focus of February’s update letter includes information on: Standards and expectations reminders: Mobile pho
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  • January 2026 update letter

    Published 08/01/26

    Our Ref: DK/jh/gltr/jan 26

    7th January 2026

     

    Dear Parent/Carer

     

    I hope you and your family are well and you find January’s update letter helpful.  The focus of the first monthly letter of 2026 is on reminders around events in the calendar as well as more information on arrangements in the event of weather disruption.  This letter will cover the following topics:

     

    • Key dates and events – January 2026 

    • Winter weather updates and communication reminders

    • Changes to normal school arrangements - Staff CPD on Wednesday 21st January

    • Upcoming Parents’ Evenings and Y11/13 Spring Mock Exams

    • Appendix on Page 3: Arrangements for emergency school closure due to extreme weather conditions

     

    Key dates and events for your calendar – January

    • Tuesday 6th - Wednesday 14th January: Y12/13 BTEC / OCR External Unit Examinations

    • Friday 9th January: Deadline for Y13 UCAS applications

    • Monday 19th January - Wednesday 4th February: Y11 Spring Term Mock Exams

    • Monday 26th January - Monday 9th February: Y13 Spring Term Mock Exams 

    • Wednesday 21st January: Staff CPD - Delayed start for students at 10.25am

    • Thursday 22nd January: Y7 Subject Parents’ Evening 4-7pm

    • Friday 30th January: Deadline for 6th Form applications 

     

    Winter weather updates and communication reminders

    As shared in Monday’s Arbor message, the recent poor weather is a good reminder of our procedures should conditions ever require a school closure, either before or during the day.  Full details can be found on Page 3 of this  letter (it was previously shared in the November 2025 monthly update letter).

     

    Please note, any closure would always be a last resort - school remains open unless we inform you otherwise using the communication measures outlined on Page 3.  With the current cold snap and weather warnings, there is always a high level of uncertainty of what will actually happen, meaning that decisions have to be made at short notice.  In the meantime, the best advice is to allow extra time for journeys and take care on icy roads and pavements, and this is especially the case on side streets where local authority gritters rarely cover. Students walking to school should wear footwear with good grip (trainers can be changed on arrival).

     

    Thank you for your understanding and support in helping us keep everyone safe during these challenging conditions.

     

    Spring Term Subject Parents’ Evenings

    Following on from year group assessments completed at the end of the Autumn/start of the Spring terms, there will be three sets of Subject Parents’ Evenings during this term (Y11/13 took place in December and Y8/10 will be held in the Summer term following end of year exams then).  The key dates to look out for with Subject Parents’ Evenings this term are below:

     

    • Year 7 Subject Parents’ Evening - Thursday 22nd January from 4-7pm. 

    • Year 9 Subject Parents’ Evening - Thursday 12th February from 4-7pm

    • Year 12 Subject Parents’ Evening - Thursday 26th March from 4-6pm 

     

    Parents/carers will be able to book their appointments for these evenings with subject teachers from two weeks in advance of the evenings via Arbor as normal, and we look forward to continuing to work together to best support your child. 

     

    External Examinations and Y11/13 Spring Mock Exams

    As we move into the Spring term, January sees a very important set of external examinations for Y12/13 students in a range of Level 3 BTEC and Cambridge National/Technical qualifications.  These examinations are taking place in the first two weeks of the term and we wish all students every success in these unit assessments which will contribute to their overall grade at the end of their courses.

     

    Following on from these external exams, the Spring Mock Exams begin for Y11/13 students in preparation for their external exams this summer.  As is customary, students have received specific revision materials from their subjects as well as guidance to aid their revision work ahead of these exams, so it would be greatly appreciated if you could support them by checking on whether they are following a revision timetable and by generally asking what they are doing to revise.

     

    With a focus on continued preparations for the summer exams, it is also important to highlight two important deadlines for Y11/13 students looking forward to next steps beyond this school year. 

     

    • The deadline for Y13 students who are applying to University through UCAS to complete their applications for checking and confirmation by the Sixth Form team is Friday 9th January. 

     

    • The deadline for Y11 students applying to Holyhead Sixth Form to complete their applications is Friday 30th January and the application form itself is available from the Sixth Form tab on the school website.

     

    Changes to normal arrangements: Delayed start on Wednesday 21st January  - Staff CPD 

    The third of five delayed starts for Staff CPD on the Embedding Formative Assessment programme will be taking place on Wednesday 21st January.  As mentioned previously, this programme addresses the areas for improvement identified in the Ofsted Report from May 2025, and there are also after school sessions for teaching staff.  As on all previous and future occasions with the delayed starts, students should arrive from 10:15am for a Period 2 start with all students being on site for 10.25am.  Breakfast Club will again run as normal for students on site from 10:15am.

     

    I thank you again for your time in reading this letter and wish you and your family good health in the coming weeks. 

     

    Yours faithfully,

     

    Mr D Knox

    Principal

     

    Appendix: Arrangements for emergency school closure due to extreme weather conditions

     

    The current colder weather and potential for disruption means that schools across the country will be taking the opportunity of reminding parents/carers of the arrangements should the weather deteriorate in the coming days and months ahead. Below is a summary of these arrangements at Holyhead and how we would approach decision making and communication in the event of severe weather.

     

    In summary the school will always remain open unless conditions are extremely severe overnight or deteriorate rapidly during the day (e.g. heavy snowfall/extreme high winds).

     

    The school will only close in the following circumstances:

     

    1. If there is a central decision made to close by the Local Authority or Central Region Schools Trust

    2. If the Principal (or Deputies in his absence) and Governors decide to close the school due to deteriorating weather or unforeseen circumstances, for instance burst pipes or a heating failure.

     

    Communication around any closure

    If the school has to close for Health and Safety reasons, more specific information about the details of the closure will be available on the school website  www.holyheadschool.org.uk and via our X account ‘@holyhead_school’.  We will also send messages via Arbor as long as our IT system is not affected.

     

    Any decision to close before the start of the school day will be announced on local radio stations as early as possible.  The decision will also be published on our website and via social media through our X feed.  If the school has already opened for the day it may be necessary to send students home early.  It would be very helpful if you could make provisional arrangements in case this should happen and make sure that your child understands them.

     

    The following radio stations will be alerted of school closure:

    Free Radio 96.4FM (www.freeradio.co.uk)

    BBC Radio WM 95.6FM (www.bbcwm.co.uk)

    Heart FM 100.7FM (www.heart.co.uk)

    Capital Radio 102.2FM (www.capitalfm.com/birmingham)

     

    The school website home page would have a pop up black box which would contain any emergency announcements in the event that this would be needed in the future.

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  • December 2025 Update letter

    Published 04/12/25


    Our Ref: DK/jh/gltr/dec 25

    4th December 2025

    Dear Parent/Carer

    I hope you and your family are well and you find December’s update letter of help to you. The focus of the final monthly update letter of 2025 is on:

    • Key dates and events – December 2025/January 2026
    • A personal update on my own circumstances 
    • The upcoming Parents’ Evenings and delayed start for Staff CPD in December
    • Key details on the end of the Autumn term/start of the Spring term in January 2026
    • Charity work and cultural celebrations in the final weeks of term along with information, support and advice on the cost of living from Birmingham City Council and Sandwell Council.

    Key dates and events for your calendar – December 2025/January 2026

    • Thursday 4th December: Y11 Subject Parents’ Evening 4-7pm
    • Tuesday 9th December: Staff CPD - Delayed start for students (Gates open at 10am for a 10.25am start)
    • Tuesday 9th December: Maths Mastermind finals from 3.45pm in the Library
    • Thursday 11th December: Y13 Subject Parents’ Evening 4-6pm
    • Friday 19th December: End of Autumn Term
      • Heritage Clothing/Christmas Jumper day
      • Students to be dismissed at 12 noon
    • Monday 5th January: Staff CPD Day – school is closed to students
    • Tuesday 6th January: Spring term for students starts at 11.30am
    • Wednesday 21st January: Staff CPD - Delayed start for students (Gates open at 10am for a 10.25am start)
    • Thursday 22nd January: Y7 Subject Parents’ Evening 4-7pm

    A personal update

    I wanted to take the opportunity to inform you as to my own circumstances and how this impacts on the day-to-day management of the school. During the October half-term holidays, my 7-year-old son was admitted to Birmingham Children’s Hospital and underwent extensive surgery to remove a brain tumour. He will require significant ongoing treatment and being there for him now and in the weeks ahead must be my key priority. As a result, Mrs Reddy and Mrs Banger have taken on the day-to-day running of the school, supported by the Senior Leadership Team and Mr Ian Mellor, the CRST Director of Education and a very experienced Headteacher himself. I remain in day-to-day contact, and am keen to return to work as soon as we feel it is appropriate for my son, but I wanted to be transparent in letting you know that now is not the right time. The school is in the safest of hands whilst I support my son through the next stage of his treatment.

    Upcoming Parents’ Evenings - December

    Parents/carers of students in Y11/13 will be receiving their child’s first set of Academic Profiles before the Christmas holidays with those for students in Y7/8/10 being sent out in January. The key dates to look out for with Parents’ Evenings this side of Christmas are below:

    • There is a Year 11 Subject Parents’ Evening on Thursday 4th December from 4-7pm. 
    • Year 13 Subject Parents’ Evening - Thursday 11th December from 4-6pm 

    Parents/carers will be able to book their appointments for these evenings with subject teachers from this week via Arbor as normal, and we look forward to continuing to work together to best support your child through this highly important year in their education. 


    Changes to normal arrangements: Delayed start on Tuesday 9th December  - Staff CPD 

    As previously communicated earlier in the year, there are five delayed starts through the school year due to Teaching & Learning CPD sessions for the Embedding Formative Assessment programme, addressing areas for improvement that were from the Ofsted Report. There is a balance with the remaining sessions being after school.

    The second of these delayed starts is on Tuesday 9th December. As on all of these occasions, students should arrive from 10:10am for a Period 2 start with all students being on site for 10.25am. Breakfast Club will run as normal for students on site from 10:10am.

    End of Autumn term / Start of Spring term arrangements

    We break up for the holidays on Friday 19th December at 12 noon. Students will attend Periods 1 and 2 as normal and those students who are eligible for Free School Meals will be able to collect lunch before leaving on the day.

    Students will be returning to school after the holidays on Tuesday 6th January for an 11:30am start as teaching staff will be holding the Year 7/8/10 Curriculum Review meetings in the morning before the return of the students. 

    Cost of living support and guidance

    As we do at this time of year where finances can often come under additional strain, we wanted to highlight the information that is available from Birmingham City Council and Sandwell Council. Both of our local authority websites provide links to advice and support on a range of topics including Benefits and Money Advice, Energy Efficiency and Food Support amongst others.  

    For families living in Birmingham, please check out the Cost of Living Support section of the Birmingham City Council website that also includes the Help In Brum leaflet (this is available in 11 different languages on the website) which provides links to specific agencies and charities that provide practical support. For families living in our neighbouring area of Sandwell, please see the Supporting Sandwell section of the council’s website for further information.  

    Cultural celebrations and Charity Week: Monday 15th to Friday 19th December

    The final couple of weeks of the term as always will see a range of activities designed to provide students with the opportunity to work together to support a number of charities, causes and the wider community with our annual theme of ‘Kindness and Community’.  It is also a time of celebrating the achievements of students in our end of term Awards Assemblies, and the talent within the school through performance opportunities.

    Holyhead’s annual Food Drive is once again being led by Miss Khatun, this time in association with Brushstrokes Community Project. We are asking for donations of any items of non-perishable food or drink as well as hygiene products and toiletries, if staff, families and students wish to and can. Donations can be made at the school reception or to Miss Khatun and the collection will end on Wednesday 17th December with all proceeds going directly to the Brushstrokes Community Project. If it is more convenient to make a financial contribution to support this cause, you can do so via the Go Fund Me page that has been set up by Miss Khatun and donations can be made until Friday 12th December. 


    The school’s Charity Committee will also be working to raise money alongside the other CRST schools again this year for our nominated charity which is Birmingham Children's Hospital, with a target of raising £20,000 together. This is an exceptionally important cause which I now have first-hand experience of. The amazing work that Birmingham Children’s Hospital does (they treat 90,000 children every year and do an amazing job in supporting families at what is often the most difficult period in their lives), deserves every bit of support we can give to them as a school community.

    Other events running through the week from Monday 15th - Friday 19th December:

    • Food - The traditional Christmas Meal will be served during lunch on Wednesday 17th December.
    • Music - We will be having staff and student volunteers singing Christmas carols during break time, and we will release the annual Holyhead Christmas Single which this year has a 1980s theme. We will also be hosting the first ever Holyhead X-Factor finals which will take place on Friday 19th December following on from a round of auditions in early December.
    • Dress code - Heritage related items (national colours/dress/flags/cultural clothing) / Christmas jumpers are optional for students and staff to wear on Friday 19th December.  There will be no leisurewear items (jeans/hoodies/caps/tracksuits) accepted as heritage clothing, so these must not be worn to school. Students who do not wish to, or cannot attend in heritage clothing or Christmas jumpers should attend in normal school uniform.

    I thank you again for your time in reading this letter and ask you to look out for the Autumn Term Pulse Magazine and the Holyhead Christmas Single for 2025 which will be released to you at the end of term via Arbor and the school’s social media platforms.

    In the meantime please allow me on behalf of everyone at Holyhead to wish you and your families well, and good health and fortune over the next few weeks. We wish a very Merry Christmas to all who will be celebrating and a Happy New Year to everyone! 

    Yours faithfully,

    Mr D Knox
    Principal
             
     

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  • November 2025 Update letter

    Published 17/11/25
    Our Ref: DK/jh/gltr/Nov 25     Wednesday 5th November 2025 Dear Parent/Carer I hope you and your family are well, and you all had a pleasant half-term. This November update letter provides more information on: Key dates
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  • October 2025 Monthly Update letter

    Published 01/10/25

    Our Ref: DK/jh/gltr/Oct 25    

    1st October 2025

    Dear Parent/Carer

    I hope you and your family are well. In October’s monthly update letter, I’ll provide some key reminders and other important details for the month ahead including:

    • Reminder = Key dates for the Autumn term: Sixth Form Open Evening and Meet the Tutor Afternoon
    • Y11/13 Mock Exams in October / November
    • Changes to normal arrangements in October: Delayed start on Wed 15th October & Diwali planning
    • Safeguarding support - What’s on the website to help keep children safe?
    • Black History Month 2025 - Themes and Celebrations
    • Key dates for the remainder of the month up to half-term

    Early finish/delayed start for Sixth Form Open Evening - Thursday 2nd/Friday 3rd October
    On Thursday 2nd October we will be hosting our Sixth Form Open Evening from 5.30 - 7.30pm, a vitally important event for the community with Year 11 students looking ahead to their Post-16 options. 

    As in previous years we have finished earlier in the day to enable staff to set up for the evening, and we will do so again this year.  Students will leave at 2:30pm on Thursday 2nd October, with additional homework set by Period 4 lesson teachers. With many students and staff involved late into the evening, we will have a delayed start to school on Friday 3rd October, with students arriving by 10.25am ready for a Period 2 start.

    Y11/13 Autumn Mock Exams: Monday 13th October - Friday 7th November
    The start of November sees a very important set of Mock Exams for Y11/13 students in preparation for their external exams later in the year. Students are receiving specific revision materials from their subjects as well as guidance to aid their revision work ahead of these exams, so it would be greatly appreciated if you could support them by checking on whether they are following a revision timetable and by generally asking what they are doing to revise.

    Changes to normal School Operations: Delayed start on Wednesday 15th October
    There will be five delayed starts this school year due to Teaching & Learning CPD sessions for the Embedding Formative Assessment programme, addressing areas for improvement that were from the Ofsted Report. There is a balance with the remaining sessions taking place after school.

    The first delayed start is on Wednesday 15th October. Students should arrive from 10:10am for a Period 2 start with all students being on site for 10.25am. Breakfast Club will run as normal for students on site from 10:10am.

    Year 11 students must arrive at the usual time for their GCSE Maths Mock Exam at 8:45am.

    Diwali/Bandi Chorr Divas at Holyhead: Impact on school arrangements
    We are proud of our rich diversity and we celebrate heritage and culture together as a community. The festival of Diwali/Bandi Chhor Divas is one of these many events. For those celebrating on Monday 20th October and Tuesday 21st October, it marks the beginning of a new year.

    For the first time in a number of years it will be celebrated in term time and as many staff and students will be observing the festival, normal school operations will be affected, similar to what is experienced annually for Eid celebrations. More specific information will be sent in a separate letter later in the week, but for clarity this will involve Year 12 and 13 students learning from home on Monday 20th October due to the planned staff absence.

    Parental Engagement: Meet the Tutor Afternoon - Wednesday 22nd October
    As mentioned in our September update, we will hold a ‘Meet the Tutor Afternoon’ on Wednesday 22nd October, 2–6pm, replacing previous year-group-specific Parental Engagement Evenings.

    Parents/carers can book a 5-minute appointment via Arbor to meet their child’s Form Tutor and discuss their start to the year. Meetings will take place in and around the Sports Hall allowing easy access for families.

    Information stands will be available in the Dining Hall, offering guidance on Careers, Enrichment, Arbor, and Parent Pay, along with refreshments. Heads of Year and Vice Principals will be present in year group zones, and QR codes will link to the 2025–26 Parent Guide Booklet and Parent Survey.

    To accommodate the event, students will be dismissed at 1:15pm after Period 3. Free School Meal lunches will be available for collection. We look forward to seeing as many parents as possible during the afternoon/early evening.

    Safeguarding information: How can you and your child access support?
    When students feel worried - whether about social media or other issues - they should always speak to a trusted staff member, such as their Form Tutor or Head of Year. Students can also report concerns via the Holyhead Helpline, accessible through the Student Portal. Reports can be made anonymously or named and are monitored by DSLs and Vice Principals for prompt response.

    Parents should contact their child’s Head of Year, especially regarding social media or peer relationship concerns. Contact details and safeguarding resources are available on the school website.

    The monthly Safeguarding Bulletin produced by our Senior Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, Mr Beale, offers guidance on online safety and current issues affecting young people. October’s edition covers the topic of children’s mental health in advance of World Mental Health Day on the 10th October. We encourage parents to explore both this and past editions – knowledge is power when it comes to keeping children safe!

    Safety Searches in School: Ensuring and maintaining a safe learning environment for all
    One of the most important features of the Ofsted Report was the clear statement that pupils feel safe and happy at Holyhead. An essential action we take to maintain a safe learning environment is our continued approach in conducting periodic safety searches for prohibited items such as illegal substances, vapes, and weapons. These searches are a standard practice in schools nationwide, reflecting growing concerns around knife crime and vaping, helping to reassure students that such items should not be seen in school and will never be tolerated.

    Searches are carried out respectfully and professionally by trained staff. They involve checking bags, coats, and blazers, as well as scans using metal detecting wands with no physical contact.

    We combine education through PSHE with proactive measures like searches to ensure all students feel safe and supported. The feedback from students continues to tell us that they appreciate these actions and understand the importance of them.

    Black History Month at Holyhead
    This October, Holyhead School will celebrate Black History Month with a focus on the national theme: “Standing Firm in Power and Pride” - honouring Black heritage, resilience, and achievement.

    Our curriculum continues to reflect our ‘Teach What Matters’ approach, rooted in our Handsworth community and global in perspective. Teachers will continue to highlight ‘hidden heroes’ from diverse backgrounds and celebrate cultural richness throughout the year, not just the month of October.

    We’ll also host our annual celebration event on Thursday 23rd October from 4:00–5:30pm, where students and families can enjoy cultural and educational activities. More details will follow soon.

    Summary of key dates and events in October at Holyhead:

    • Sixth Form Open Evening – Thursday 2nd October from 5:30 - 7:30pm (Early finish for all students at 2.30pm on Thursday; Delayed start at 10.25am on Friday 3rd October)
    • Y11/13 Autumn Mock Exams take place from Monday 13th October to Friday 7th November
    • Year 7 Faculty Enrichment Session 2 takes place on Monday 13th October from 3.30-4.30pm
    • Delayed start at 10.25am on Wednesday 15th October for Teaching Staff CPD on Ofsted areas for improvement focused on the Embedding Formative Assessment programme (Y11 students to arrive at normal time for their GCSE Maths Mock exam at 8.45am)
    • Diwali is on Monday 20th October with Sixth Form students in Year 12 and 13 learning from home due to the extent of staff absence for religious observance.
    • We will break up for the October half-term holidays at 3.15pm on Friday 24th October, returning to school at 8.40am on Monday 3rd November.

    May I once again wish you and your family good health and fortune over the coming days and weeks, and send advance best wishes to all of our families who will be celebrating Diwali/Bandi Chorr Divas later in October.

    Yours faithfully,

    Dave Knox
    Principal
     

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  • School Attendance Update-September 2025

    Published 08/09/25

    School Attendance Update-September 2025


    Dear Parents and Carers,

    I hope this letter finds you well. As the Trust Attendance Lead, I want to begin by thanking all our families who have consistently supported good school attendance. Your commitment ensures your children benefit fully from school life. We know that pupils with good attendance tend to enjoy better wellbeing and achieve more in school than those who frequently miss days. Excellent attendance gives children the best chance to thrive – in their learning, their friendships, and ultimately their life chances beyond school.

    Why Attendance Is So Important: Regular school attendance is crucial for your child’s wellbeing, achievement, and wider development. Being in school every day helps them stay on track academically and keeps them engaged with their teachers and friends. It also helps build good habits like punctuality and responsibility that will serve them throughout life. In short,everyday counts. Even a few days of absence can quickly add up and significantly impact learning and exam results. Thank you again to all parents/carers who send their children to school consistently – your support makes a huge difference, and we celebrate those students who achieved high attendance last year.

    Government’s Attendance Expectations: You may be aware that the Department for Education (DfE) has introduced a new National Framework for school attendance and penalty notices, effective from 19th August 2024. This is designed to improve consistency across England in how schools and local authorities respond to absences.

    Please note the key changes:

    • Rolling 3-Year Tracking of Absence: Unauthorised absences are now tracked on a cumulative three-year basis. If a child has 10 or more unauthorised sessions (equivalent to 5 full school days) within any 10-week period, schools must consider issuing a fine. This 10-week window “rolls” across terms and school years, so absences don’t reset at year-end. Importantly, any penalty notices or unauthorised holiday from last school year will carry forward under the new rules. In other words, an unauthorised absence recorded in 2023/24 remains on record for 3 years.
    • Higher Fines & Escalation for Term-Time Holidays: The fine for unauthorised school absence (such as an unapproved term-time holiday) has increased for the first time since 2012. From August 2024, each penalty notice is £80 per parent, per child if paid within 21 days, rising to £160 if paid within 28 days. These rates apply nationwide. If a second fine is issued for the same child within a 3-year period, it will automatically be at the higher £160 rate with no reduced amount. There is also a limit of two fines in any three-year period per parent for the same child. After that (i.e. at a third offence), schools can no longer issue a penalty notice – instead, authorities will move to other legal interventions such as parenting orders or prosecution in court. In court, parents could face much steeper fines (up to £2,500) or other sanctions, so it’s crucial to avoid reaching this stage. Please also be aware that by law Headteachers cannot grant any leave for family holidays during term time except in truly exceptional circumstances, nor can they authorise absences after they have occurred.

    We understand that these Government rules may sound strict. Please remember: our Trust’s aim is always to support families and avoid fines wherever possible. We, like the vast majority of schools, view fines as a last resort after all other support steps have been exhausted. The national framework itself emphasises that schools and councils should work with you first – to understand any barriers and help improve your child’s attendance – before considering any formal measures. In fact, 89% of fines nationally are for term-time holidays, not routine illnesses. Our priority is to work in partnership with parents so that issues can be addressed early and you are never put in a position of facing a penalty unnecessarily.

    What You Can Expect from All Our Schools: Across every school in our Multi-Academy Trust (from Reception through Sixth Form), we follow a clear, supportive process to promote good attendance. The goal is to intervene early with help, long before any legal action is needed. Here is our shared approach that you can expect in every school:

    • Clear Attendance Stages & Early Alerts: We continuously monitor each student’s attendance and have defined trigger points for concern. If your child’s attendance begins to dip (for example, approaching the persistent absence threshold of 90%), you will receive early warning notifications (phone calls or letters) from the school. This is to keep you informed and to signal that we need to work together to prevent a further slide. Every school in the Trust uses a consistent staged system of letters and meetings as absence levels reach certain points.
    • Supportive Contact and Meetings: Our first response to attendance worries is support, not punishment. School staff (Teachers, Heads of Year, or Attendance Officers) will reach out to discuss any challenges you or your child are facing. We will offer advice and can arrange face-to-face meetings to create an Attendance Action Plan if needed. The aim is to identify and address issues – whether they’re health-related, academic, or personal – and put in place help (e.g. adjustments in school, counselling, mentoring, etc.) to improve attendance. We want to reassure you that we’re here to help, and we understand that sometimes there are genuine difficulties.
    • Formal Warnings (If Problems Persist): If attendance does not improve despite initial support, the school will issue formal written warnings or invitations to attendance panel meetings. These letters will clearly explain the concern and what needs to change, and they serve as a more serious notice that absence has reached an unacceptable level. We’ll continue to work with you, but it’s important to be aware that ongoing poor attendance may lead to involvement from the Trust’s Education Welfare Officer (EWO) or equivalent. The EWO works with the school and family to provide specialist support and will monitor the situation closely. You might be asked to sign an attendance contract or agree to certain targets at this stage.
    • Last Resort – Legal Action: In the unlikely event that a student’s attendance fails to improve, even after all the above steps, we will have no choice but to refer the case for legal intervention as a last resort. This could mean the local authority issuing a penalty notice fine, or in severe cases, initiating prosecution for non-attendance. Our sincere hope is to never reach this stage with any family. Legal action is only considered when there is persistent, ongoing absence with no improvement despite all offers of support. We would much rather work together to find solutions long before this point.

    Please note that this supportive, staged approach applies to all students from Reception age through to Sixth Form. Good attendance is just as critical for a 5-year-old in primary school as it is for a 15-year-old preparing for GCSEs or a 17-year-old in sixth form. The law requires regular attendance once children are of compulsory school age (5 to 16), but our Trust’s ethos is to instil good habits and provide support right from the start of schooling and to continue that through post-16 education. Every year of education builds on the last, and we want every child – regardless of age – to have the best chance of success by being in school, on time, every day.

    In summary, we are committed to working with you to ensure your child attends school regularly, and to navigate any difficulties together. The new Government measures are there to underscore the importance of attendance, but our focus remains on encouragement and support. We will continue to recognise and celebrate good attendance, and more importantly, to help those who are struggling with it. If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s attendance, please do not hesitate to contact your school – we are here to help.

    Thank you for your ongoing support in this matter. By reinforcing the value of education through good attendance, you are opening the door to a brighter future for your child. Let’s continue to work in partnership to make sure every student in our Trust can achieve their full potential.

    Yours sincerely,
    Niall Brennan
    Trust Attendance Lead,
    Central Region Schools Trust

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  • September 2025 Update letter

    Published 02/09/25

    Our Ref: DK/jh/gltr/Sept 25    

    2nd September 2025

    Dear Parent/Carer

    I hope you and your family are well and that it has been a good summer break for all. I’m very pleased to write to you at the start of this school year, and in this slightly longer letter than normal I’ll provide some key reminders on the start of term along with other important details for the month ahead.

    In this letter we will cover the following in more detail:

    • Update on the 2025 GCSE/A Level results 
    • Reminder: Arrangements for the start of term - Wednesday 3rd / Thursday 4th September
    • Reminder: Changes to Catering prices for 2025-26
    • Reminder: Community support - Preloved uniform
    • Key dates for the Autumn term: Meet the Tutor Afternoon and Y6/Sixth Form Open Evenings
    • Head of Year updates 2025-26
    • Appendix = Key dates for Parents/Carers 2025-26

    There have once again been some very pleasing results for students and the school as a whole over the summer with the A Level/Level 3 qualifications and GCSE. Whilst DfE Performance Measure information isn’t available until later in the Autumn term for GCSE exams and the Spring Term for A Levels/Level 3 exams, we’re pleased to report that there have been a number of improvements on results from 2024 and again in comparison with the last set of exam results before the pandemic in 2019. 

    Most importantly, there were lots of happy students with the grades they needed to secure places on courses or with employers. You may have seen information about the results in the local media, but we’re delighted to confirm that two of our Year 13 leavers will also be reading Medicine at the University of Birmingham and Aston University. This is a major achievement, the latest in a line of Holyhead students to gain a place on a Medicine degree and something that all of us in the school community should take great pride in!

    Arrangements for the start of term: A staggered return on Wed 3rd / Thurs 4th Sept

    A reminder that following on from the Staff CPD days we will be bringing students back to school using a staggered approach from Wednesday 3rd September to Thursday 4th September. This will ensure all year groups have an extended Tutor period before they begin normal lessons on Thursday 4th September.

    Wednesday 3rd September: Y7/12 only from 11:30am
    Students in Years 7 and Year 12 will arrive at 11:30am for an induction day with their Form Tutors.


    Thursday 4th September: All students will arrive for 8.40am

    • Years 8-11 and Year 13 students arrive for an 8:40am start with Tutor time and a return assembly.
    • Students in Year 7/12 will also arrive for an 8.40am start with an extended Tutor period.
    • All students will have normal timetabled lessons from Period 2 at 10:40am after break time.

    Reminder: Changes to catering prices from September 2025
    As was reported in the news over the summer, food costs unfortunately continue to rise, impacting inflation. As in previous years, we’ve carefully reviewed the situation to minimise the impact on meal prices.

    Due to supplier costs and inflation, we’re unable to freeze all prices for next year. From 3rd September 2025, the meal deal will increase from £2.65 to £2.75 per day. However, many other items will remain unchanged. We’re taking a targeted approach, avoiding increases on healthier options where possible.

    Our prices remain lower than other schools in the Trust and are benchmarked locally. If costs fall, we’ll reflect this in future pricing. Our Breakfast Club provision remains free and available to all from 8:15am, so please encourage your child to arrive early and make use of the option for a positive start to the day!


    Preloved uniform - can you help by donating?
    As we get ready to return after the summer holidays, it’s a good time to remind about our Preloved Uniform system which is designed to support families in the school community. If your child has any items of school uniform that they have outgrown or you are going to replace, please could you donate it to the school and it can be dry cleaned ready for a new owner. The generosity of our families continues to help us to support others so if you do have any donations to make, these can be handed in to the School Reception or students can give them to their Form Tutor. 

    The items that can be donated are blazers, ties, black jumpers, black trousers, black skirts, white school shirts or blouses and PE kit items. Thank you again for your continued generosity and support towards others!

    Parental Engagement: Meet the Tutor Afternoon - Wednesday 22nd October
    Following on from last year, we will be increasing opportunities for parents and carers to have a more active involvement in the life of the school. Having reviewed feedback from parents and staff alike, we have taken the decision to move away from the individual year group Parental Information evenings that we have run for the last 3 years to an afternoon where all parents are able to have an appointment with their child’s Form Tutor in October.

    The ‘Meet the Tutor’ afternoon will involve an opportunity to meet your child’s Form Tutor for a 5 minute appointment to discuss how they have settled in at the start of the year as well as to continue to build this important relationship.

    Key dates for September/October: Early finishes for Y6 and Sixth Form Open Evenings

    On Thursday 25th September we will be having our Y6 Open Evening from 5.30 - 7.30pm, a vitally important event for the community with many families deciding where to send their children to secondary school. 

    As in previous years we have finished earlier in the day to enable staff to set up for the evening, and we will be doing so again this year.  Students will leave at 2:30pm on Thursday 25th September, with additional homework set by Period 4 lesson teachers. With a large number of students and staff involved late into the evening we will be having a delayed start to school on Friday 26th September, with students arriving by 10.25am ready for a Period 2 start.

    We will follow the exact same arrangements on Thursday 2nd October which is our Sixth Form Open Evening with a delayed start again at 10:25am on Friday 3rd October.

    Head of Year updates 2025-26
    With Ms Jeffers returning from maternity leave, we have made some changes to Heads of Year for the upcoming year. Ms Jeffers will return to working with Year 10 who she was Head of Year for in Y7/8, and this in turn means that Mr Cain will be moving back to work with Year 11 (who he worked with in Y9) and will be supported by Miss Garawal who stepped up as maternity cover to look after the year group in 2024-25. The Meet The Tutor afternoon will be a great opportunity for parents to get to know your child’s new Head of Year, and you can be assured that they are in excellent hands!

    A reminder of the Heads of Year and Year Group Vice Principals is below:


    As ever I am extremely grateful for your time and support in reading this letter, and look forward to the return of the students later this week.  May I wish you and your family good health and fortune over the coming days and weeks.

    Yours faithfully,

    Dave Knox
    Principal
     

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