For Students Joining Us in Year 7 Autumn 2026
Welcome to Rugby High School!
Welcome to students joining us in September 2026
Congratulations!
We hope you are excited to be joining Rugby High School. We are delighted that you have chosen to join our school community and look forward to helping you develop as a creative and ambitious thinker who is prepared and excited for the future, whatever it may bring.
We appreciate the importance of a good transition to secondary school and we want to reassure and support you through this. Our top priority is that students, including you, feel happy and safe. We understand that you may have some worries about starting secondary school and this is perfectly natural but we will do our best to help you settle in. During your first week we ease you in gently with a mixture of lessons, icebreaker activities and well-being sessions so that you can start to make friends and get to know your way around.
To help you feel more prepared for the transition and excited about the next stage in your education journey, you and your family may find it helpful to look at the websites listed below for ideas and advice.
Remember we are here to help you and we look forward to seeing you in September.
Best wishes
Pastoral Team
Welcome to our new Year 7s from Headteacher, Mr Grady
Welcome booklet
There is lots of useful information about starting at Rugby High School in our Year 7 Welcome Booklet.
Please download the booklet using the link at the bottom of this page.
Timeline of what happens next
Wednesday 2nd September 2026 – Start date for Year 7
Thursday 3rd September 2026, 6pm - Parent/Carers Information Evening
Wednesday 2nd – Friday 4th September 2026 – Induction week with lessons, wellbeing sessions and icebreaker activities
Monday 8th September 2026 – Normal timetabled lessons commence
Thursday 24th September 2026, 3.45 - 5pm - Parent & Daughter Tea, hosted by the PTA
Thursday 12th November 2026 – Settling-in event – parental appointments with Form Tutor to discuss non-academic feedback
Links to tips and advice for transition to secondary school:
Transitioning into a new school can feel exciting and scary at the same time. It is important to remember you are not alone in this situation or alone experiencing these feelings. If you are worried, it can be helpful to talk about how you are feeling about the transition with others, as they may help you get prepared or give you a different perspective to consider, which can help you to feel better about it. Below are some tips to help you manage your transition into a new class or school.
The Mental Health in Schools Team (MHST) tips on transitioning to a new school:
MHST Tips on Starting a new School
More links to support:
BBC Bitesize: Starting Secondary School
Young Minds: Find Your Feet Guide - focussing on the transition from primary to secondary school
Anna Freud: Supporting children's transition to secondary school - guidance for parents and carers
Young Minds: Find your Feet video on worries
Tips from the Mental Health in Schools Team: Managing change - download using the link at the bottom of this page
Interactive Map of Rugby High School:
You can start to familiarise yourself with the school site by exploring our map.