Letter to Parents and Carers: September Return Dates

Wed 15 Jul 2026
Dear Parents and Carers,

September 2026: Be safe, be respectful, be responsible.

In readiness for our return in September, I know that you will support me in ensuring that your children follow our policies which are the essential foundations for our whole school culture and climate for learning.  The overarching aim of our behaviour policy is to promote positive behaviour, to ensure our students grow into safe, respectful and responsible citizens.  This allows them to learn in a really calm and purposeful environment. 

To support our students’ arrival in the academy, we have the following in place for the doors opening at 8:20:

  • Y7 - around the back of school and via atrium doors.
  • Y8 - around the back of school and via the dining hall doors.
  • Y9 - main doors at the front of the school
  • Y10 - around the back of school and via PE door
  • Y11 - KS4 door

September - Return dates


Attendance and punctuality at the academy is vitally important

Without an exceptional reason please do not book holidays during term time as this will result in lost learning.  Evidence shows this impacts negatively on students' outcomes.  We love to see our students in school every single day.   If you know that your child is going to be absent, please telephone the Academy where possible using option 2 before 8:15am or email attendance@shafton.outwood.com so that we can work together to support your child's return.

Our students must arrive for 8:20 every morning ready for Period One.  Doors close at 8:28 allowing students to be in learning for 8:30 ready for Period One.  

Arriving after 8:28 AM means a student will be late for Period One, missing crucial learning time. To prevent this, late detentions will be issued. It is essential that we collaborate to ensure students understand their responsibility to be in class and prepared to learn by 8:30 AM every day.

INSET Dates (students will not be in the Academy on these days):

  • Tuesday 1 September 2026
  • Friday 23 October 2026
  • Monday 19 July 2027
  • Tuesday 20 July 2027
  • Wednesday 21 July 2027

You can access term dates and closures on our website.

I hope that you have a lovely summer and I know that myself and the rest of the staff team are already looking forward to seeing all students return in September.  Enjoy time with your families and hopefully some sunshine. 

Yours faithfully, 

Alison McQueen
Principal
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