HT Update: Week-ending Friday 24th April 2026

Friday 24th April 2026

This concise weekly HT Update is generally published every Friday afternoon.  It’s a simple opportunity for you to also feedback/ask questions via the link at the bottom of each Update.  Any feedback received will be responded to and published on Monday on the school website.  

Feedback from the last HT Update:  Click here. 

Key messages from this week  

Calendar:  Significant events week beginning 27/04/26;  the Qualifications Scotland Exam Diet continues all week;  on Monday Study Leave begins for all Senior Phase students;  on Thursday we’ll begin our Meaningful May work with the P7 pupils we’re expecting as S1 in August; on Thursday and Friday we’ll have students on their Practice DoE Bronze Expedition 

Staffing:    On Tuesday next week we expect to appoint Caroline Brown’s maternity DHT backfill role.  Mellissa Lowell will join our Creative Design Team in August.  Our PT BGEd Science post is live on myjobscotland. 

Library Access for S1/2/3 Students:  Parents/carers should be aware that we’ve had recent conversations with our colleagues in the Library.  As you know this is a shared space between the school and the public.  We have been concerned about some reports of inappropriate behaviour by a minority of students.  As a result from Monday we will station a member of staff on the library doors during every BGEd (S1/2/3) break and lunch to admit a max of 30 students at a time in the Library.  This we believe will provide a better experience for all.  Students in the Senior Phase, who may want to access the Library during Study Leave, and upon their return to school, are unaffected by this arrangement.  They should note the Library doesn’t open until 10.00am. 

Returning Chromebooks:  Students in the Senior Phase have been reminded that if they are leaving school this summer there is a simple process for returning their Chromebook.  School Leaver Device Return Guidance 25_26

New Process for Parents/Carers to Apply for School Transport:  We would like to share an update regarding school transport applications for the upcoming academic year.  As outlined in our previous communication, all school transport must now be applied for annually. Transport arrangements will no longer automatically roll over from one year to the next, so all families must submit an application if transport is required, even if it has been provided before.

Key information

• Eligibility criteria (mainstream students)
  • Students who live more than 2 miles from their catchment school.
  • Students living under 2 miles may still be considered if there is no safe walking route.
  • Students attending via a placing request are not eligible for transport.
  • Students who would need to walk more than 2 miles in total to reach school by public transport.

• Application timelines
  • Mainstream applications will open on Monday 27 April 2026 at 9am
  • Mainstream applications will close on Friday 29 May 2026

•  What transport may be provided depending on eligibility,
  • Dedicated school transport
  • Public transport assistance
  • Shared transport arrangements

Important reminders

• Applying does not guarantee that transport will be provided.
• Decisions are based on council policy, distance, and individual need.
• It is important that we are informed of any changes to your child’s details (e.g. address or additional needs) as this may affect transport.
• Students must follow the transport Code of Conduct for travel between home and school.
• School bus pick up times are subject to change but can be found here.

For more information please see Midlothian Council’s School Transport webpage.

Parent/Carer Stakeholder Consultation:  Thank you to those who have completed this survey.  We’ve had 288 responses to date.  This is a 100%+ increase since my last update.  I’m keen to push it beyond 400 responses. The link has been sent 3 times directly to mobile phones.  We’ll do a final message early next week and close it at the end of next week.  The more who respond the more accurately our understanding of the parental views is. This helps us improve what we aim to do.  Thank you for your anticipated thought and time to complete this survey.  

Site Security:  The fire doors leading to the car park from the front of the school will benefit from enhanced signage from Monday reminding students and staff that these fire doors must be strictly reserved for emergency use only.  We will be rolling this same message out to all students from next week. 

Proposal to vary the Admissions Arrangements to Denominational Primary and Secondary Education and to clarify the catchment area of St David’s Roman Catholic High School:  A consultation that proposes to vary the Admissions Arrangements to Denominational Primary and Secondary Education and to clarify the catchment area of St David’s Roman Catholic High School opened on Tuesday 21st April 2026 and closes on Thursday 4 June 2026.  You can find more information, such as the consultation proposal document and online survey, at

https://midlothiancouncil.citizenspace.com/education/denominational-admissions-policy-consulta     

 

Feedback here

Take Care

Campbell Hornell,  Head Teacher

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