HT Update: Week-ending Friday 1st May 2026

Thursday 30th April 2026

This concise weekly HT Update is generally published every Friday afternoon.  This week it’s a Thursday as I’m elsewhere on Friday.  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.  This week, given the holiday, it’ll be on Tuesday.  

Feedback from the last HT Update: Click here.

Key messages from this week  

Calendar:  Significant events week beginning 04/05/26:   the Qualifications Scotland Exam Diet continues Tuesday through Friday of next week;  Monday is the May Day Holiday;  on Wednesday and Thursday we’ll have S3 students on their Qualifier DoE Bronze Expedition;  on Thursday we’ll hold our second our Meaningful May work with P7 pupils we’re expecting as S1 in August. 

Staffing:    Our PT BGEd Science post is live on MyJobScotland and closes on 04/05/26.  Congratulations to Karen Hughes who’ll join our SLT in May to cover Mrs Brown’s maternity leave.

UCAS 2026 Entry Applications, Accepting Offers:  We posted a version of the following on the S6 Year Group Classroom earlier this week.  In the interests of transparency we’re also sharing it with you via this post.  It’s about accepting offers, as leavers, to university.  

• If students received their last decision on or before 31 March 2026, their reply date is 6 May 2026 (except if they’re using Extra to find a place).
• If students receive their last decision on or before 13 May 2026, their reply date is 3 June 2026 (except if they’re using Extra to find a place).
• If students receive their last decision on or before 15 July 2026, their reply date is 22 July 2026 (except if they’re using Extra to find a place).

Full details on how to accept and decline offers can be found here.

PE Facilities During Elections: Due to the leisure side of the building being used for the Elections next week PE will take place outside where the weather allows, or in a classroom in the event of adverse weather.

School Uniform:  As you know, our school uniform plays an important part in our school ethos.  It is visible evidence and reinforcement of equality, sets a tone of rigour towards learning, embeds a sense of belonging and portrays a positive image of the school to our community and visitors alike.

Our Dressing for Excellence policy outlines our expectations for all students at Lasswade HS.  We recognise that uniform can be expensive for families and have introduced a range of affordable options including iron on badges (available via ParentPay). 

We can also support with the cost of uniform and parents/carers should engage with the appropriate House Team if support is required.  We are committed to ensuring that cost is never a barrier to school uniform compliance.

We have noticed over recent weeks and months that a minority of young people have not been wearing school uniform and a few students are wearing clothes that are inappropriate for school including, e.g.,  cropped tops.

As a response, May 2026 will be a school uniform focus month for all students in S1, S2 and S3.  We will be carrying out regular spot checks and House Teams will be in touch with the families where concerns are identified.  Your support with ensuring your child is appropriately dressed for school is very much appreciated.

Kelly Diamond:  Kelly works in our School Office.  She’s brilliant, and is looking for your support.  Kelly is running the Edinburgh Half Marathon on Sunday 24th May for a charity that is very close to her heart.  If you can spare a few minutes please have a little read of her story and give what you can. Thank you.  Click here to donate.  

New Process for Parents/Carers to Apply for School Transport, Reminder:  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 pupils)
  • Pupils who live more than 2 miles from their catchment school.
  • Pupils living under 2 miles may still be considered if there is no safe walking route.
  • Pupils attending via a placing request are not eligible for transport.
  • Pupils 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.

 

Feedback here

Take Care

Campbell Hornell,  Head Teacher and IMS Lead

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