End of Term letter - December 2025

Dear Parents and Carers,

As we come to the end of the autumn term, I would like to take this opportunity to reflect on what has been a wonderfully busy and rewarding few months since September. I continue to be immensely proud of what our pupils, staff, and wider school community have achieved together.

From the very start of term, our students have shown enthusiasm, resilience, and a genuine love of learning. It has been a pleasure to see them settling into routines, embracing new opportunities, and supporting one another as they grow both academically and personally.

This term has been filled with memorable experiences. Our Year 7 pupils enjoyed an exciting visit to Chester Zoo, where they engaged brilliantly with the activities and represented the school exceptionally well. We were also fortunate to welcome visiting authors, who inspired pupils with their stories and encouraged a deeper love of reading.  We have also enjoyed a number of special curriculum days, including our Problem Solving Days and Personal Development Days, which challenged pupils to think creatively, collaborate with peers, and build important skills that extend far beyond the classroom.

Our Open Evening was another highlight, showcasing the very best of our school. The pride shown by our student ambassadors was truly heart-warming, and the positive feedback from prospective families was a testament to the dedication and commitment of our entire staff team.

Some of our Year 11 students also benefitted from a fantastic PGL residential trip, designed to strengthen key skills in English and Maths. Through a blend of focused learning sessions and team-building activities, pupils were able to consolidate core knowledge, build confidence, and develop effective study habits. Their attitude throughout the trip was exemplary, and it was wonderful to see them supporting each other as they prepared for the important months ahead.

The final month of term has been particularly busy as we approached Christmas. Pupils and staff embraced the festive spirit through our door decorating competition and Christmas Jumper Day, bringing colour and creativity to the school. We were also treated to a wonderful performance showcase, where our talented pupils had the opportunity to share their skills and entertain their peers.

As we move into the spring term, we will be stepping up our revision programme in preparation for the Year 11 mock exams and, of course, the GCSEs in the summer term. Staff will continue to provide targeted support, structured revision opportunities, and guidance to help every pupil achieve their very best. We encourage all students to take full advantage of these sessions and to begin establishing strong revision routines at home.

February will also be our school production of The Addams Family and I would love for our families to come and support students who have worked so hard in rehearsals. 

I am excited to see what more our pupils will accomplish. Their potential is enormous, and with the continued support of our parents and carers, I have no doubt they will continue to thrive.

To keep up to date with all the exciting things happening across the school, I would encourage parents and carers to follow us on Facebook @ facebook.com/outwood.hindley and Instagram @outwoodhindley. These platforms provide a wonderful insight into daily school life, celebrations, trips, and events, and are a great way to share in our pupils’ successes.

We also have a free and easy-to-use messaging service engagement app Eduspot that lets our school send important updates and notifications directly to your phone.

- The app is completely free to download
 - Instant updates - ensuring you feel more included, informed, and connected to better support your child
- All in one place – can view messages from all your children’s schools helping manage schedules, events, and priorities across the family
- Extra features – report absences, see events, and more

1. Download the app from the edsp.co/getapp
2. Sign in using your email address and mobile number.
3. For security, you will then receive a One Time Password (OTP).

I hope you and your families enjoy a restful and happy holiday break, and I look forward to welcoming everyone back in the new year to our new school day on Monday 5th January 2026.  Our doors will be open from 08:15 for a prompt 08:30 start.  A new day schedule letter will be sent today as well as it being on our website.

Thank you for your ongoing support, encouragement, and partnership. It truly makes a difference. 

Yours faithfully

J Norman

Principal