Our Ref: DK/JH/gltr/july 26    

Friday 10th July 2026

Dear Parent/Carer

I hope you and your family are well. I’m writing with some key updates for the final week of term, information for the summer holidays, and arrangements for students’ return in September.

For ease of reference, the letter is divided into three sections, with an appendix of key dates for 2026/27 on Pages 4 and 5 to help families plan ahead.

Section 1: The final week of term 

Warm Weather Uniform Arrangements: W/b Monday 13th July
With very warm weather forecast to continue next week, we will maintain the temporary arrangements already in place. Students may continue to wear the Holyhead PE kit instead of their normal school uniform (or wear their usual uniform if they prefer). As a reminder, this means that students will be permitted to attend school wearing their Holyhead PE kit in place of their normal school uniform for the duration of the warm weather period (they may also continue to wear their normal uniform if they prefer). Students choosing the PE kit options should wear:

• The official Holyhead PE polo shirt
• Holyhead PE shorts or tracksuit bottoms
• Suitable footwear in line with school expectations (trainers if wearing PE kit / black shoes if uniform)

Enrichment and Experiences Week: Monday 13th - Friday 17th July
Our annual Enrichment and Experiences Week will take place from Monday 13th–Friday 17th July. Students will take part in experience-based learning, mini-projects, subject visits and year-group reward activities. The week concludes with the popular Tutor Olympics event. All students should attend in PE kit on Friday as the activities involve teamwork and sporting challenges.

Arrangements for the final day of term: Friday 17th July
On the final day of term which is Friday 17th July, we will finish at 12 noon following the end of the Tutor Olympics. Students who are eligible for Free School Meals will be able to collect a sandwich or equivalent before they leave.
 

Section 2: Information and Guidance relevant to the summer holidays

Open water safety: Being aware of the danger in the summer
In hot weather that we have been experiencing more often this summer, young people may be tempted to swim in rivers, canals, lakes or reservoirs, believing that they provide an opportunity to cool down. However, open water can be dangerous due to cold water shock, strong currents and hidden hazards under water. Following a number of open water related deaths of young people during the May half-term heatwave, we ask parents to remind their children never to enter open water except at supervised, designated swimming sites. You can find more information from the Royal Lifesaving Society website here - Water Safety for Teenagers.

A Level/GCSE Results Days: Thursday 13th/20th August
The summer holidays will see our Year 11 and Year 13 students receive their examination results in mid-August.                             

A Level Results Day takes place on Thursday 13th August. Students can collect results from the Library from 8.00am, with staff and careers advisers available to provide guidance and support.

GCSE Results Day takes place on Thursday 20th August. Students will collect results in tutor-group slots between 9.00am and 11.00am, with Sixth Form enrolment taking place during the morning. Support will also be available from staff, careers advisers and college providers.

We wish all of our students the very best of luck ahead of these important days in August!

How we work and who to contact for support during the holidays
During the summer holidays, school operates reduced opening hours and response times may be slower than during term time. Although a member of the Leadership Team is designated each week for emergencies, emails sent to enquiry@holyheadschool.org.uk will only be escalated in exceptional circumstances.

Our Designated Safeguarding Leads and Vice Principals will continue to monitor the Holyhead Helpline and online safeguarding systems weekly. For urgent safeguarding concerns, please use the external agency contacts listed on our website, where you will also find additional safeguarding and mental health support resources.

You can find more information and guidance on the Safeguarding section of the school website including contacts and links to many valuable external agencies, and also on the Mental Health and Wellbeing- page of the website.

Section 3: Looking ahead to 2026-27

Arrangements for the first days back in September
Staff CPD Days will take place at the beginning of the new school year on Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2nd September. As in previous years, students will return to school using our usual staggered start:

• Thursday 3rd September – Years 7 and 12 students only (11.30am arrival for their induction day)
• Friday 4th September – All students return (8.40am arrival). This allows all year groups additional tutor time before normal lessons begin for all from Period 2 on Friday.

Changes to catering prices from September 2026
As outlined in our June update, the school meal deal will increase from £2.75 to £3.00 per day from 1st September 2026, in line with other CRST schools. We have worked hard to minimise increases, with many prices unchanged and healthier options remaining affordable.

We continue to work with School Food Matters to improve the quality and dining experience of school meals. Prices remain competitive locally and generally lower than elsewhere in the Trust. Our Breakfast Club service remains free for all students from 8.15am, and we encourage students to make use of this positive start to the day.

Preloved uniform: End of year/start of new year donations?
As the school year ends, we’d like to remind you about our Preloved Uniform system, which supports families in our community. If your child has outgrown any uniform items, please consider donating them to support other families in our community. 

Donations can be handed to Reception or Form Tutors. We welcome blazers, ties, jumpers, trousers, skirts, shirts, blouses and PE kit items. Donated items will be cleaned and redistributed.

Staff leavers and final thoughts…
As we close a successful school year, I want to express heartfelt thanks to all the staff and volunteers at Holyhead. Their dedication, care, and creativity make the experiences you'll read about in Pulse Magazine next week possible - and we never take that for granted.

On a personal note, this has been an extremely challenging year due to the health of my son. Since November, I have watched from afar whilst the day-to-day running of the school has been in the exceptionally capable hands of Mrs Banger and the Leadership Team. Their professionalism, commitment and unwavering focus on maintaining high standards have ensured that students continue to benefit from the rich opportunities showcased throughout the Pulse Magazine which we will send out to you next week, whilst also creating the conditions for the amazing achievements from students that I am sure will be celebrated this summer over the Results Days in August.

Finally, we bid a fond farewell to Mr Smeaton, Ms Williams, Ms Akhson and Dr Grewal as they move on to new opportunities, and thank them for their valued contribution to Holyhead School. We’re deeply grateful for their service and wish them all every success in the future.

I want to wish you and your family a restful, safe and joyful summer break, both from myself and everyone at Holyhead, as well as sending extra special best wishes to all of our students awaiting exam results this summer!

Yours faithfully and with sincere gratitude,

Dave Knox
Principal