Dear Parent/Carer,
I am writing to you as we reach the end of the academic year to thank you for the support you have given your child and the school over the past three terms. This year has been filled with incredible stories of success, both inside the classroom but also beyond.
We started the year with some incredibly pleasing GCSE and A-Level results, including the accolade of being a top 25% school nationally for value-added at A-Level. This is testament to the hard work of students and the quality-first teaching approach that we believe in at TPSH.
In addition to academic achievement, our students have enjoyed sporting success at a district, county, and national level, performed to the highest standard in our music concerts and school productions. They have also enjoyed a huge array of enriching activities ranging from work experience opportunities, walks in the countryside, an endless list of local, national, and international trips, charity fundraising, local media opportunities, art exhibitions, maths challenges, lunchtime clubs, inspirational talks from inspirational speakers, Duke of Edinburgh Award, and much more beyond. Indeed, a short scroll through our Instagram page is testament to what a busy and productive year it has been at TPSH (Instagram – The Priory School, Hitchin).
As we begin the summer holidays, outlined below is key information that I hope you find useful in readiness for September. May I take this opportunity to wish you and your family a very restful summer holiday and, as I finish my first year of headship at TPSH, offer you my thanks for your on-going support. We’ve achieved a great deal this year and that is in no small part down to your children and your support.
With my very best wishes for the summer,
Matt Blayney
Headteacher
Key information for parents/carers
Safeguarding over the summer holidays
At TPSH we take our duty to safeguarding children incredibly seriously. Across the academic year we teach students about key ways in which they can keep themselves safe physically, mentally, and online. This is achieved through lessons, assemblies, and talks from external professionals.
As part of our online safety duty, we acknowledge the fact that many students tend to have greater access to their mobile devices which are normally inaccessible during term time. In light of this, we urge parents to make their best endeavours to monitor screen time and what their child is viewing or posting online. We appreciate that this can be difficult and further advice for parents can be found here from the Children’s Commissioner for England: A guide for parents and carers on managing children’s digital lives.
Many parents have already downloaded the Securly app which allows you to monitor your child’s Chromebook usage. If you haven’t yet done so, this may help your efforts over the holidays and beyond.
Should you have any safeguarding or wellbeing concerns during the holidays, please send an email to childprotection@priory.herts.sch.uk and a member of our safeguarding team will contact you with a view to offering support.
Examination results days
Our Year 13 students will receive their results on Thursday 13th August 2026.
Year 11 students will receive their results on Thursday 20th August 2026
All students collecting results are invited into school between 9am and 11am. We are excited to share their successes with them and will also provide support for those whose results may not be what they expected.
Results can also be viewed through the Department for Education’s new Education Record App which some students signed-up to this academic year. The results officially populate on the mobile app from 11:00 am.
Activities in the summer holidays
As a parent myself, I certainly appreciate that the long summer holidays can bring additional pressures for families, particularly regarding child care or finding cost effective ways to entertain the children. There are a number of free family events and days out in Hertfordshire that are perfect for all ages, many of which are just a short hop from a bus or train station. We have found some fantastic ideas to get you started.
Check out this link for inspiration: https://www.visitherts.co.uk/visit-herts-blog/top-free-things-to-do-in-hertfordshire
There are also many places offering reduced-cost meals during the summer break. The best website we could find which condenses this list into an easily viewable format is the RAF Families Federation page which can be found here: Kids eat free (or for £1): UK summer holidays 2026 guide
Term dates 2026/27
Earlier in the year, I wrote to you with our term dates for 2026/27. Due to a minor administration error the dates sent to you indicated that our final day of the academic year was Friday 23rd July 2027. I am writing to confirm that the correct final day will be Thursday 22nd July 2027.
Following is the updated calendar for your convenience.
The-Priory-School-Term-Dates-2026-27
Curriculum days:
Curriculum days are counted as INSET days and will be utilised to support staff in marking and moderating Year 11 and Year 13 mock exams, coursework, and NEAs on school-site. By using some of our INSET time to undertake crucial marking and moderation, we will ensure that students get the most accurate, timely, and helpful feedback possible. These days have been strategically placed within the Autumn, Spring, and Summer terms to ensure that they achieve maximum impact whilst avoiding the same days/lessons.
On some days, we will be inviting selected groups of students into school in order to support coursework completion, revision, or complete NEAs. Please see the dates of our curriculum days for 2026/27 below:
- 26th November 2026 – Year 11 mock marking and moderation. Invited students attending school to complete coursework or NEAs.
- 20th January 2027 – Year 13 mock marking and moderation. Invited students attending school to complete coursework or NEAs.
- 28th April 2027 – BTEC assignment marking and moderation. Year 11 and Year 13 attending school, in normal lessons.
Start of the new academic year
As you will see from our term dates calendar, the new academic year begins for Year 7 and Year 12 on Thursday 3rd September 2026. All year groups should then attend as normal from Friday 4th September 2026.
All students should arrive in uniform by 8.45am.
To ensure your child is prepared to start the academic year with success, please ensure that your child is wearing the correct school uniform supplied by Beats School Uniform. They have created a handy uniform guide for parents which you can access here: The Priory School, Hitchin uniform guide
Please note that for those with recently-pierced ears, earrings will still need to be removed upon return in September.
Our website provides details on how eligible families can apply to the Hitchin Education Foundation for a uniform grant of up to £200.
Staff farewells and welcomes
As with every school of this size, at this point in the year we bid farewell to some colleagues who have left or are leaving us to seek promotion, new opportunities, or embarking upon well-earned retirement. May I take this opportunity to wish the following colleagues all the best for the future:
Atof Blaal (Teacher of Maths)
Sam Brazier (Pastoral Manager)
Rachael Clarke (Teacher of Computing)
Toni Crawley (Learning Support Team)
Fiona Flather (Teacher of Technology)
Victoria Gaskin (Head of Modern Foreign Languages)
Blake Matthews (Science Technician)
Amita Patel (Teacher of Maths)
Sandhya Pagilla (Teacher of Maths)
Laura Shearing (Teacher of Geography)
Lisa Smith (Teacher of Geography)
James Young (IT Technician)
I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome the following colleagues who have already joined us or will be joining us in September 2026. We are very excited for our new colleagues to join the team!
Emily Ashton (SENCO)
Charon Bezuidenhout (Cleaner)
Kasia Burke (Teaching Assistant)
Beth Dillon (Teacher of Computing)
Jac Hill (Pastoral Manager)
Mandeep Kaur (Teacher of Maths)
Taya Kiteley (General Assistant – Café)
Amelia Michalovich (Science Technician)
Sian Mills (Teacher of Maths)
Chloe Northwood (Finance Assistant)
Heather Quinn (Teaching Assistant)
Marie-Claire Redmond (Teaching Assistant)
Charlotte Smith (Food Technician)
Hannah Steel (Teacher of Geography)
Bethany Wilcox (Cleaner)
Useful links
TPSH website: The Priory School, Hitchin – Excellence in education, for every young person, every day
Online safety guide: A guide for parents and carers on managing children’s digital lives
Children’s social care: Children’s social care | Hertfordshire County Council
Beats School Uniform: Beat School Uniforms – Experts in school uniform