Read the full letter here

Dear parents and carers,  

It has been an incredibly busy calendar year, and a particularly busy, and long, autumn term, so I know we all feel ready for the holiday.  Amongst the busy-ness, we can once again celebrate some significant successes for our students and our school as a whole. 

Over the course of the year, we have welcomed many external reviewers and visitors to SRS, all of whom have been emphatic in their compliments of the school’s work and, above all, our exceptional young people. 

This week, we have celebrated our students; their 100% attendance, their outstanding attitudes to learning and the impact this all has on the significant progress they are able to make in their learning. 

The importance of these attributes has become that bit more ‘real’ for our students in Year 11 and Year 13, who enter the final months of study and preparation before their final GCSE and A Level exams.  Whilst those exam results will open the doors to their next steps, the 14-year journey for our students at SRS, EYFS to Year 13, is about equipping them with not only knowledge and skills but also broadening their horizons and firing up their ambitions to be the very best version of themselves. 

None of this could be achieved without the commitment and drive of our fantastic staff, who work tirelessly to ensure our young people are well supported and able to achieve their very best.  My thanks to them, on behalf of our students, for everything they give and do.   

Special thanks go to Mrs Dawn Patten who leaves us today to start her retirement, having worked with us for 22 years in our reprographics department.  Dawn has been an incredible support to us all in school, ensuring we always have what we need to do our job – resources, booklets and certificates in every shape, size, colour and configuration imaginable.  Dawn, we are very grateful to you for everything and wish you a long, healthy and happy retirement. 

I take this opportunity to express my thanks to you, parents and carers, for your continued support this year and everything you are doing to ensure your child is set up and ready each day to do their best at school.  Here’s to the new year and the continuation of our successful work together. 

Start of term arrangements – January 2026 

We return to school on Monday 5th January at normal school times.  On this first day we will spend time in the morning lesson reminding students of school ways of working and enabling students time to think about their goals for the new year and the term ahead.  There are some things we ask you to do to ensure a smooth start to the term: 

• ensure your child is in correct school uniform and footwear.  Correct school shoes (not boots or trainers) must be worn. Trousers must be worn at the waist and skirts to knee length.  Uniform can be ordered online: https://www.srs-shop.co.uk/  

• acrylic nails and make up are not allowed in school – please ensure these are removed by 6th January 

• for secondary students, please ensure they have a full set of equipment (see student planner for equipment list) 

• please top up your child’s MCAS account for school lunches 

• please take some time to set some new year home learning goals with your child, ready to launch into the new year – whether it’s time set aside for reading, revision, personal organisation to ensure punctual arrival at school or a recap of what makes an ‘outstanding’ attitude to learning, your support is both needed and much appreciated. 

Exciting news for 2026! 

We have the school production of Beauty & the Beast to look forward to!  Tickets are on sale through MCAS for performances on 3rd, 4th and 5th February 2026 at 7pm each evening. Book your tickets early to avoid disappointment! 

You can find the full list of key dates for the term ahead at the end of this letter, in the newsletter and on the website. 

I know that, for many, this can be a difficult time of the year – particularly as we think of those who are no longer with us, or those whose health might be affecting them.  I hope, whatever the circumstances, you are able to benefit from some much-needed holiday time, time with those close to you, and some relaxation ahead of the new year.   

As ever, I hope not to have to disturb you during the holidays, but should there be any urgent update, this would be sent via MCAS as well as updated on the website.   

I wish you and your families a very merry Christmas, a relaxing holiday and every happiness for 2026. 

Yours faithfully, 

Clare Cross 

Principal 

SRS key calendar dates 2025-26 – Please note, additional events/dates may be added.  Parents will be notified via the weekly newsletter, MCAS app and email. 

2026-27 term dates can be found on the school website