Secondary school offers were confirmed on Monday 2 March 2026 and we are looking forward to welcoming our new Year 7 pupils who will be joining us in September 2026.
Wednesday 2nd September – Year 7 Day
On this day, school will be open to Year 7 students only as an introduction to Year 7. Students need to bring their bag, equipment, drink and healthy snack for break (see lunchtime arrangements below). Pupils will not need their full PE kit on this day, however they are asked to bring in trainers (to be kept in their bag).
Arrival and Departure
Children should arrive at Dormston for 8.40am and enter through the atrium doors at the main entrance where they will be met by staff.
The school day will end at 3.10pm. Students will leave via the atrium doors. Please note there is no car parking at the front of school.
Catering – Break/ Lunch
On Wednesday 2nd September, pupils will need to bring a drink (water or squash) and a ‘healthy snack’ (must not contain nuts or kiwi) for break time.
At lunchtime, pupils will be provided with a meal in our school canteen. This meal will consist of a meal deal with a variety of choices. If you haven’t yet returned our new student form, which enables you to detail any allergies and medical needs please be sure to do this as soon as possible. All food will be clearly labelled with any allergens. If you have any queries or concerns in relation to this then please email info@dormston.dudley.sch.uk. Alternatively, your child may bring a packed lunch with them (food containing nuts or kiwi must not be brought into school).
Where consent has been provided, your child’s fingerprint will be taken to allow them to access their dinner money via the tills and ParentPay from Thursday 3rd September. Where consent is not provided an individual lunch card will be issued. Children at Dormston are not allowed home at lunchtime.
From Thursday 3rd September children can choose to bring a small snack for break, and a packed lunch or purchase something from our canteen (an activation letter was sent home during the transition days) so that you can set up your parent account. This will allow you to add funds to your child’s dinner money account ready to use from Thursday 3rd September). Here at The Dormston School we offer students a variety of both hot and cold food options. We have our own inhouse catering team who are always working to create healthy, balanced choices. There is a three week rolling menu that is updated regularly. Please the Catering section on our website where you will find sample meus, prices and allergen information. We currently offer a meal deal which includes a main meal (hot counter/sandwich/ baguette) and a home bake, yogurt or fruit pot for £2.50 (subject to change).
Free Schools Meals
When your child joins us in September free school meals currently applied for through Dudley MBC will automatically continue. If you live outside of the Dudley Borough you will need to re-apply via Dudley MBC’s Free School Meals Team. If you wish to apply please go to www.dudley.gov.uk/resident/your-council/council-tax-and-benefits/benefits/free-school-meals. If you need any further information you can contact the Free School Meals Team on 01384 814988 or by emailing freeschoolmeals.benefits@dudley.gov.uk.
ParentPay (our e-payment system) for Dinner money, trips, revision guides and school equipment
During Transition your child will have been issued with a ParentPay activation letter. This enables you to create your parent/carer account and add funds to your child’s dinner money account should they choose to purchase something from our canteen at break or lunchtimes. Please ensure funds are added prior to Thursday 3rd September.
Summer Reading Challenge
Pupils were informed about the Summer Reading Challenge during the Induction days. You can download the Reading Challenge Log from this page We would like pupils to record in this log all the books they read in full during the summer break. They may write book reviews or record their thoughts about the books too. Full details are on the back of the Summer Reading Log. Your child should take their completed Summer Reading Log and book reviews to the PLC by Monday 14th September. Reading for pleasure is possibly the single most important activity your child can do to improve achievement in school. Please can we therefore ask for your support by encouraging your child to take part and read during the summer break to ensure their reading skills don’t dip.
