Dear Parents/Carers
Welcome to the first Head’s Herald of 2025-2026. I hope you all had a lovely summer; however, I appreciate that the summer may just be a distant memory now.
What an amazing start to the academic year we have had. In August we celebrated our best set of examination results in the history of the school. Our young people did exceptionally well and have all moved on to further education, training, or employment, which is just tremendous.
Our dedication to High Expectations, High Aspiration and High Standards is stronger than ever and our young people have returned to us with great attitudes to learning and from day 1 were engaged with our learning programmes. The Year 7s have started well and have settled in to Boteler Family life.
The biggest change this academic year from an operational point of view has been the introduction of the phone pouches. Hand on heart, I could not have wished for a smoother launch and transition. The students have been incredible and the support from parents/carers have been overwhelmingly positive. I know that we have a couple of entrepreneurs who think they can override the system, but we are working with those individuals and their families. The reliance that society has on mobile phones is scary and has made us as staff look at our usage and the impact it has on our wellbeing too. The impact of the phone pouches is being felt already and I appreciate it is very early days. The amount of ‘friendship’ issues because of texts messages and or social media that are brought into school has drastically reduced and is having a positive impact on behaviours in school. There are various things we are monitoring and when we have more evidence, we will be able to give you a more detailed overview to the impact they are having.
There has been significant building work going on in the holidays. I have replaced the bathrooms at KS3 and KS4. The student feedback has been amazing, and they love them. The student council helped and supported me with this project, and it is great they could see their hard work come to fruition; they said it was “something for the students, by the students”. We also won a bid for a new Hospitality suite and this is now fully functioning and the students are benefiting from working and learning in a state-of-the-art kitchen environment. It is important that we invest in our facilities as we want to ensure our students have the best learning environment and facilities possible as that is the least they deserve. I have my sights set on the laboratories next, but that is a huge project and a work in progress and possibly some more sports facilities…watch this space.
Speaking of sports, our very own Year 8 Rugby League team were crowned North West Plate Champions last night beating a strong Rainhill High School 26 – 6. This is an outstanding achievement for the school because we are officially competing on the national stage!
This victory is not just a result of talent on the pitch, but also a testament to the hard work and leadership behind the scenes. A huge congratulations and thanks to Mr Johnson, whose dedication, energy, and belief in the players have been pivotal. His ability to motivate, whether after a tough loss or before a key game, has shaped this group into champions.
Mr Kinsey, Mr Burbidge, and I plus many parents and carers had the pleasure of watching this victory at Orrell on Thursday. I was beyond bursting with pride and I am not ashamed to admit it but yes I did shed a tear. I know how much work goes into something like this from all parties including the support of parents and carers. Congratulations also to those players who were not selected for this match, but who have been a part of the team in their journey towards this achievement, you are very much a part of this ‘win’ too.
Have a lovely weekend and thanks as always for your support.
Beverley Scott-Herron
Headteacher
Knowledge Organisers to ISPs to ESAs
As a school we are always reflecting on how we can improve our Teaching and Learning systems. We don’t do fads and only make changes when there is value and true purpose.
Over the years both students and parents/carers have become very familiar with our Knowledge Organisers and their importance. They began to evolve and for a time they became known as ISPs – Independent Study Packs.
The original purpose of a Knowledge Organiser was to provide facts, figures and foundation ‘knowledge’ for each topic. However, they have become so much more, hence the name change.
The new name is an ESA. Exam Skills and Agency.
The ESA continues to provide key knowledge that students are to engage with. The big difference is the ESA now provides a clear scaffold to support students through academic challenges. This could be a Key Piece, a ‘Working At’ Assessment, or a mock exam or a real exam. It may simply be a 9 or 12 mark question in a lesson.
The ESA will contain examples of quality responses, we call these WAGOLLs (What a Good One Looks Like). In a typical lesson these models will be refenced by the teacher and students will be guided through model answers working with the teacher. It is then the turn of the student to apply their knowledge using the model and other supporting information in the ESA. We call this process ‘I, We, You’…..’I’ being the teacher, ‘We’ being teacher and students together and ‘You’ being the student. Our focus on ‘You’ i.e. the student grappling with a challenge is now more significant, as we want to instil a sense of ‘agency’ in our students so that they take control of their own learning process. We will of course always provide the tools, resources and expertise for students to be successful but come exam time, we have to be confident that we have truly passed the baton of knowledge and skills to the student.
If you would like any further information in ESAs please do not hesitate to contact me on ckinsey@boteler.org.uk
Mr C Kinsey – Senior Deputy Headteacher
KS3 Setting Structure
Since returning to school this term, I have received some queries around our setting model for students in Key Stage three (Years 7-9). The Orange, Yellow, Green and Blue classes are mixed ability. All sets are equal in ability meaning one set is not ‘higher’ in terms of ability than another. Classes are taught in subject groups that are linked to either the English group of subjects or the Maths group of subjects.
The class students are in for English, will also be the same class for History, French, RE, Art, and Music. These are our English linked subjects.
The class students are in for Maths, will be the same class for Science, Geography, Computer Science and Personal Development. Design and Technology and PE teach students in smaller mixed ability groups within their own subject areas.
Cognitive Ability Tests (CAT4)
In school, we assess our students to see what their needs are and how we can best help them to learn and achieve. As part of this process, we will be administering Cognitive Abilities Tests (CAT4) to all students in Year 7.
CAT4 is made up of a series of short tests, which assess a student’s reasoning (thinking) abilities in key areas that support educational development and academic attainment. No preparation is necessary: it is important that your child does not become anxious as no pre-learning or knowledge is needed to complete the tests.
CAT4 has many uses and can help your child and their teachers to plan appropriately and set targets for different key stages and for GCSE exams.
The tests start on Monday 15 September 2025 and run over 2 weeks. Please find enclosed the timetable for the assessments. There are three tests, and all three parts of the test must be completed. The tests will be taken in rooms 12 and 13 under test conditions using computers. Catch up sessions will be held for students who miss any of the tests.
Students need to bring a set of plug-in headphones to use for the tests.
A Strong Start with Our New Mobile Phone Pouches
We are delighted to share the positive start we have made this academic year with the introduction of our new mobile phone pouches. The response from students has been excellent, and we are already seeing the benefits of this important change.
One of the most immediate improvements has been a significant reduction in the amount of time staff spend addressing issues linked to social media. This means more focus on teaching, learning, and positive relationships within school. Beyond this, the absence of phones during the school day has already seen:
- Increased focus in lessons and improved classroom engagement.
- More meaningful social interactions during social times, with students talking, playing, and engaging with each other more openly.
- A calmer and more settled school environment overall.
We know that introducing new routines takes time, but we are very pleased with how quickly both staff and students have adapted. The efficiency of checking pouches at the start of the school day has already improved significantly, and this will only get smoother as the term progresses.
We would like to remind parents and carers that any inappropriate use of the pouches, or malicious damage to them, will result in the need for a replacement. In such cases, the cost of replacement will be the responsibility of parents/carers.
For those occasional moments when a child forgets to unlock their pouch at the end of the school day, we have made this as straightforward as possible. A magnet has been placed outside the school building by the student entrance, on the canteen wall, which is accessible during evenings and weekends.
We look forward to sharing a fuller report on the initial findings and impact of the mobile phone pouch system in the coming weeks. In the meantime, thank you for your ongoing support in helping us create the best possible environment for our students to learn and thrive.
Attendance matters at Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School
As we begin the academic year, we want to take the opportunity to remind all parents and carers that attendance and punctuality remain a top priority at Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School. We know from both national research and our own school outcomes that being in school every day is vital for your child’s achievement, wellbeing, and personal development.
The latest government guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education (2025), is clear: regular school attendance is not only linked to academic progress but is also a safeguarding matter. Children who are absent from school regularly are more vulnerable, as they may miss out on essential learning, enrichment opportunities, and key pastoral support.
We are proud of the achievements of our Class of 2025, who showed us once again that students with the highest attendance also achieve the strongest GCSE results. This reinforces our belief that every single day counts.
Why Attendance Matters
- Absences add up quickly. For example, missing just three days in September of Year 10 means 15 lessons lost – at the very start of GCSE courses.
- National data shows that half of all students who miss 2–4 days in September will go on to miss almost a month of school by the end of the year.
- Poor attendance can impact reading progress, confidence, friendships, and mental wellbeing.
- Attendance improves when schools and families work together, and we are committed to supporting you in this.
Our Expectations and Support
We continue to set a whole-school target of 96% attendance, with weekly competitions and recognition for students who show excellent commitment.
If your child is unwell or unable to attend school, please follow our clear reporting procedures:
- Call school on 01925 636414 before 08:00 where possible and follow the guidance to “report a student’s absence”.
- If you cannot call before 08:00, please still call and report the absence via your child’s Head of Year.
- Our Attendance Officer, Miss Mannion, is available to support with all attendance queries: 01925 636414 (Ext. 179) and smannion@boteler.org.uk
Please note that text messages or emails will no longer be accepted for reporting absence.
Punctuality – The U Code
Arriving on time is equally important. Students can access school from 08:10 Monday–Thursday and should be in form rooms by 08:20. On Fridays, the site opens at 08:35 and students go to form rooms at 08:50.
The Department for Education guidance is clear that schools must not allow registers to remain open for longer than 30 minutes. This means:
- After 09:00 (Mon–Thurs) or 09:25 (Fri), students will receive a U code.
- A U code counts as an unauthorised absence and will affect your child’s overall attendance record.
- Any student receiving a U code will also be issued with a 60-minute same-day detention.
We ask that parents and carers contact school if there are exceptional circumstances impacting punctuality so that we can work with you.
Working Together
At Sir Thomas Boteler, we want every child to thrive – academically, socially, and personally. That is why we are so committed to attendance: it underpins everything else.
As we have previously emphasised, schools and parents share the responsibility for ensuring children attend regularly and punctually. We are here to support you with advice, guidance, and practical help if attendance is becoming a challenge.
We must also inform you of the fixed penalty notice update from Debbie Parlane, Education Welfare Manager at the LA, which can be found below.
Thank you, as always, for your partnership in ensuring that your child makes the very most of every opportunity this half term.
Attendance Update from WBC
Please see below information that was sent out to all parents and carers on behalf of the Attendance Team at Warrington Borough Council.
Careers Learning Journey
All students will follow a Careers Learning Journey programme during their time at school. All students should be taking an independent approach to researching their future career as well as developing their knowledge in school.
Each week there will be information on the Head’s Herald regarding their programme.
Boteler Wider Curriculum
The wider curriculum programme can be found here: www.boteler.org.uk/bwc-timetable
Please look through it with your child and encourage them to attend the activities.
This week students can also apply to be on the following councils, their form tutors have all the information.
Eco, Ethos, International, LGBTQ+, Student and Wellbeing.
Transition
Year 7 – Our annual Inauguration Evening is on Tuesday 16th September at St Elphin’s Church. All Year 7 students need to arrive by 17:30 and the service will start at 18:00. Parent/carers if you have not completed the form to let us know if you and your child are attending please do so here: https://forms.office.com/e/UuaRS1hrfw
Open Evening
Please watch the following videos:
Student Leadership
Congratulations to our Year 11 Student Leadership Body. We look forward to working with you over the course of the year and using student voice to continue to drive our school forward.
We are looking forward to an exciting half term, with two key events that will help strengthen our school community and support both students and families.
Year 7 Residential Trip
Our new Year 7 cohort will be taking part in their residential experience across three dates this September and October. This trip is always a highlight of the year, giving students the chance to build new friendships, develop teamwork skills, and settle into life at Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School.
Group 1: Monday 22nd – Wednesday 24th September (7SC and 7JJ)
Group 2: Monday 29th September – Wednesday 1st October (7EH and 7DS)
Group 3: Wednesday 1st – Friday 3rd October (7AA and 7NK)
We know these trips will provide memorable experiences for our Year 7 students and help them start their secondary school journey with confidence.
Parent Forum – KS4 Exam Preparation
We are also pleased to invite parents and carers to our next Parent Forum, taking place on Wednesday 8th October. The focus for this session will be KS4 exam preparation, with practical guidance on how families can support students through their studies and revision. This is an excellent opportunity to hear key updates, ask questions and work together to ensure our young people feel confident and supported as they approach their exams.
World suicide prevention Day
Start the conversation, start to prevent suicide
Wednesday 10th September was World Suicide Prevention Day, here at Sir Thomas Boteler High School we know that talking about mental health, supports steps towards suicide prevention because those important conversations have the power to:
Increase awareness
Let people know they’re not alone
Help bust the taboo
Signs that someone may need support:
- Feeling restless and agitated.
- Feeling tearful.
- Not wanting to talk to or be with people.
- Not wanting to do things they usually enjoy.
- Using unhealthy strategies to cope with feelings.
- Finding it hard to cope with everyday things.
- Being distant.
For more information on support around mental health please click here for the Wellbeing Newsletter
Trigger warning: This edition of the Wellbeing newsletter contains information about suicide awareness, which some readers may find triggering.
Hospitality
A little while ago Ms Fallon and Sir Thomas Boteler were lucky enough to be one of only 23 schools in the country to be used as a case study in the Food Mapping Project. The new report is out today from #BestFoodForward: The Food Education Mapping Project.
This report provides an up-to-date picture of food education in secondary schools across England, examining how food is taught, experienced and lived by young people. It shows that while food education is highly valued by students and teachers alike, provision is fragmented and inconsistent in some schools. This isn’t the case at Sir Thomas Botler, the subject is recognised as vital in a young person’s education, and their future. Ms Fallon is very proud of the visit, the findings and how much students engage and participate in the subject.
The report and findings can be viewed at: FEMP Report 2025 | Best Food Forward
#FoodEducation #CurriculumandAssessmentReview #YoungPeople
Physical Education
Please click here for the Academy Sport+ letter.
Which sports clubs will you be attending this term?
All clubs start week beginning 15th September. No need to sign up, just turn up in full and correct PE kit and it is complete free of charge!
PE Kit Standards – what can you do to help students be ready to learn?
– If your child is feeling unwell but in school please bring PE kit and we will adapt the lesson accordingly.
– If your child is injured or cannot take part in a PE lesson, please bring PE kit and we will ensure they still have a role within the lesson such as a referee or scorer or coach.
– If students have long hair, bobbles are compulsory and they will need to borrow if forgotten.
– If students choose to wear a skort or shorts, navy blue sports socks must be worn.
Consistent high standards of PE is needed to ensure students access the full PE curriculum and are ready to learn. Having PE kit every lesson also ensures students can change into dry, warm uniform after the lesson.
What can you do to help?
– Have conversations with your young person about when their PE lesson is and check their timetable (which will be in their ESA folder).
– Ensure students pack their equipment the night before.
Many thanks for your support.
The PE Department.
Disability Football – Invitation to train & play
Hi all, at Lymm Rovers JFC we are proud to have created further opportunity for more new players to come along and join in with our existing & amazing pan disability section.
This allows players with a broad range of disabilities (including autism/ADHD) to play football, in fun and safe surroundings with experienced coaches at Lymm High School Astro (4g) which is a safe and enclosed facility
We are now able to enter teams at
u12 (year 7), u16 (year 11) and open age(+16) and really want to reach out to players who fit those age groups
How it works:
Weekly Training is 5pm – 6pm on Tuesday’s – all coaches are DBS checked and experienced of working with people with disability. Family members can be close by and observe all aspects of the sessions, as we actively promote complete transparency
Games are once a month (Saturday’s at Moss Farm in Northwich, home of Cheshire FA (start is 2.15pm – 4.00pm and is a series of short games with rest periods)
All training sessions & matches are FREE this is ALL about inclusion…… we will provide match day kit & players can wear whatever is comfortable for them, to suit the prevailing weather conditions. We just need you to bring shin pads 🙏
Training venue:
Lymm High School
Oughtrington Lane
Lymm
WA13 0RB
All abilities are sincerely most welcome & encouraged.
For more details or to let us know you are coming along, please contact
Gary Carr on 07766912885
