Dear Parents/Carers

Happy New Year to you all. We have made an excellent start to 2026, and this is despite the challenging cold weather. Our students have been outstanding, and I would like to thank you sincerely for your continued support.

I am particularly grateful for the way families have supported the introduction of the 70+ black denier tights rule. This has been implemented superbly. On Monday, around twenty students had forgotten their tights and were supported with brand-new pairs; by the following day, there were none. This is a fantastic example of how, when we work together, expectations are met quickly and positively. I must also reassure you that I did not order the snow to help reinforce this message. The students at present are looking exceptionally smart.

This term, we have made a strong and deliberate push on standards, and we are taking a firmer and more consistent line. While this applies only to a small minority of students, it is important that we are transparent in our communication so that you are fully aware of our expectations and the systems we have in place.

With regard to phone pouches, we identified that a small number of students were repeatedly forgetting them. Although phones were being confiscated, this approach was not leading to any sustained change in behaviour. As a result, students who forget their phone pouch now lose all social time, although I do recognise there are absolute exceptions and we will deal with those where appropriate. This change has had a significant impact, reducing the number of forgotten pouches from approximately twenty-five per day to just six. Out of a school of 875 students, this is a very positive outcome, and it was remarkable how quickly some students were able to locate their pouches on the introduction of this rule.

We have also reinforced our expectations around appearance, including false eyelashes, false nails, incorrect footwear, bright hair colours and jewellery. These rules were already in place; however, some students were finding loopholes through our compassion and understanding. Unfortunately, the opportunities given to rectify this did not lead to sustained compliance. Moving forward, any student who does not meet these expectations will be isolated and will lose all social time. This approach is necessary to ensure fairness for the overwhelming majority of students who comply with our standards every day.

I fully acknowledge that there are exceptional circumstances, and I continue to work very closely with those students and their parents and carers. In these cases, I will always offer support and work collaboratively to find appropriate solutions. I appreciate that not everyone may agree with our high standards; however, I firmly believe that clear rules and boundaries are an essential part of a holistic education. These expectations mirror those that students will face in further education and the workplace, even if they may look different in those settings.

Should a student continue not to comply, parents and carers will be invited into school for a meeting. Your attendance will be expected, as you play a crucial role in ensuring your child’s success. We will, of course, work around your availability wherever possible. Standards are fundamental to aspiration and achievement, and our students are rightly proud to be part of the Boteler family, holding themselves to the highest expectations. We are seeing record numbers of applications, and our reputation continues to go from strength to strength. This would not be possible without your support and the commitment shown by our students.

I am extremely proud to lead this school and feel privileged to have such strong relationships with our parents and carers. I never take this partnership for granted, and I thank you sincerely for your continued support. As always if you need anything or you have any questions you are always welcome to get directly in touch with me bscott-herron@boteler.org.uk and I will always reply within 48 hours.

Here is to a very successful 2026 and many thanks for being a part of our amazing Boteler Family.

Beverley Scott-Herron

Headteacher

 

Resetting the Bar – How We Treat Others

This week’s collective worship and year group assemblies have focused on the theme “Resetting the Bar – How We Treat Others”, using the start of the new year as a positive opportunity to reflect on our values, behaviour and how we treat one another within our school community.

We explored why it is important to “reset the bar” when it comes to standards of behaviour, language and attitudes. Students were reminded that while the vast majority of our community behaves respectfully every day, a new year is a natural point to reflect and improve.

Key topics included:

• Understanding discrimination and hate-related behaviour
• The difference between Hate Incidents and Hate Crimes
• The protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010
• The impact of language, jokes and “banter”
• The importance of respect for differences in race, religion, gender identity, disability and sexual orientation

Students were reminded that “impact matters more than intention” – even if something is meant as a joke, it can still cause harm.

Online Behaviour and Social Media

We also discussed how hate speech and discriminatory language online can be just as serious as behaviour in person. Students were reminded that:

• Online harassment and hate speech can be a criminal offence
• Posts, messages, images and videos can have real-world consequences
• Everyone has the right to feel safe, both online and offline

Our Expectations

We made it clear that:

• Discriminatory language or behaviour is not tolerated
• Everyone deserves to feel safe, respected and included
• These standards exist not because we are strict, but because we care

 What Students Can Do

Students were encouraged to:

• Support anyone who is targeted
• Report incidents they witness or experience
• Be kind, respectful and inclusive
• Challenge stereotypes
• Stand up for others – no bystanders

Why This Matters

As a school, we have a legal and moral duty to:

• Promote equality
• Eliminate discrimination
• Prepare students for life in modern Britain

Most importantly, we want every young person to feel confident, valued and safe in our community.

Thank you for your continued support in reinforcing these messages at home. Working together, we can ensure our school remains a place where respect, kindness and high standards are the norm every day.

 

Free School Meals

If you think your child may be eligible for Free School Meals it is very important to register, not just to save money but to benefit the school too. Each child registered for Free School Meals brings more funding into the school. This funding is called the Pupil Premium.

You can apply for free school meals by visiting www.warrington.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals or by collecting an application from school.

Additionally, the school operates a scheme where we provide vouchers for the parents/carers of students’ registered for Free School Meals. The aim of the scheme is to make sure that these young people are not disadvantaged when it comes to their education. For example, the voucher can be used to buy revision guides, uniform and to pay for educational visits.  The value of the vouchers is £100 per academic year, however, some vouchers have not yet been used.

 

 

Lost Property 

We have about 20 coats in lost property. If your child has lost theirs, please can you ask them to check in the hall at lunchtime where Mrs Mawby will put them . 

Can all parents/carers check that all uniform and outer school wear is labelled with their child’s name.

 

LGBTQ+ Council

Our first Council meeting of 2026 will take place on Friday 16th January in Room 26. Everybody is welcome – however you identify. If you need a BWC lunch pass, see Miss Roberts in the Art Office. 

Priestley College

Here is the link to all of our entry requirements so you can look at the general entry requirements for each pathway and see the subject specific requirements too.

https://www.priestley.ac.uk/entry-requirements/

 

Cronton

Entry Requirements – Cronton

 

WVR – Please see the message below from WVR:

Welcome back! I hope you have enjoyed a restful and well-deserved Christmas break.

As we begin the new term, I would like to take this opportunity to remind you of several important upcoming dates.

Interview Evening: Wednesday 7 January

This Wednesday, we will be hosting our second interview evening of the academic year. The School Engagement Team will have sent you details on Tuesday 16 December 2025 outlining any students we are expecting to see and their appointment times. We would be grateful if you could remind your pupils this week of the importance of attending their interview. If you experience any issues accessing the document, please let us know.

SEND Open Evening: Wednesday 14 January (Warrington campus)

We will be holding our SEND Open Evening at our Warrington campus on Wednesday 14 January 2026. This will be a quieter, calmer event, allowing young people to explore the campus at their own pace. There will also be talks from our support and transition teams.

Foundation Learning & Supported Internship Evening: Tuesday 3 February (Winsford campus)

This dedicated event will take place at our Winsford campus and has been designed to help young people find out more about Foundation Learning courses and Supported Internship options available at their local campus.

Campus Tours

Our campus tours begin this month, offering another opportunity for those who didn’t attend our autumn Open Evenings to visit our state-of-the-art facilities. Places are limited, so we ask those who want to attend to pre-register at wvr.ac.uk/campustours

Transport

We are pleased to confirm that our dedicated bus services to Warrington campus will continue for the 2026/27 academic year. These six services operate twice daily, providing a stress-free, affordable and reliable journey to college. Further information on routes and costs can be found at wvr.ac.uk/bus

Daresbury Laboratory’s Apprenticeships Open Evening

Please follow this link for details and booking information regarding Daresbury Laboratory’s Apprenticeships Open Evening on 20^th January: bit.ly/49D3hQl

 

 

The weeks ahead are an important time for learning, reflection, and planning, particularly for students preparing for key milestones. As always, we value the strong partnership we have with our parents and carers and look forward to working closely together throughout the term. 

 

Upcoming Key Dates for Parents and Carers 

📅Year 11 Second Parents’ Evening – 12th January 

This is an essential opportunity for Year 11 families to discuss progress as students prepare for their upcoming GCSE examinations. Teachers will share personalised guidance on revision, coursework, and next steps to support students in achieving their best outcomes. 

 

📅 Parent Forum – 26th January (18:00–19:00, Main Hall) 

Our next Parent Forum will focus on Supporting Your Child with ADHD. This session will provide practical advice, key information, and effective strategies to help parents and carers support their child both at home and in school. There will also be time for questions and shared discussion in a supportive environment. 

Please confirm your attendance by clicking on the link below: 

ADHD Explained: How to Support Your Child Effectively – Fill in form 

 

📅 Year 9 Parents’ Evening – 9th February 

A valuable opportunity to review progress and discuss next steps before students confirm their option choices. Staff will provide clear feedback to help guide informed decisions as students prepare for Key Stage 4. 

 

SEND Open Evening, taking place next week on Wednesday 14 January 2025, from 4.00pm–7.00pm at our Warrington campus (Winwick Road, WA2 8QA).

This quieter, specialist event is designed for school leavers and those aged 19–24 with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), along with their parents and carers. It provides the opportunity to explore our “exceptionally supportive and nurturing environment” (Ofsted 2024), meet curriculum and support teams, and learn more about our courses and Supported Internships.

Pre-registration is encouraged and can be completed here: wvr.ac.uk/send-open-evening

 

 

 

Following our recent visit from DC Andrew Keevan, we have been working with students on a range of important topics focused on keeping themselves safe.

Please find below some useful information and helpful links to support the discussions that have taken place in school.

Thank you for your continued support.

 

1. A great site to help you lock your social media setting is: WWW.INTERNETMATTERS.ORG.  There is a Social Media section on their page which provides a ‘step by step’ guide on how set the security setting for each site. 
2. If you receive a suspicious text message forward it to 7726
3. If you receive a suspicious email, forward them to report@phishing.gov.uk   
4. You can check to see if your data has been lost by checking your email address or phone number at:  https://haveibeenpwned.com   
5. Protect your online world with good strong passwords. ‘Three Random Words’ https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/top-tips-for-staying-secure-online/three-random-words
6. Use this free password checker to see if your current password is any good!  https://www.security.org/how-secure-is-my-password   
7. https://www.truecall.co.uk/ Reducing unwanted incoming calls.
8. By dialling 159 will automatically connect you to your bank’s fraud prevention service. If you suspect someone is trying to trick you into handing over money or personal details, hang up and call 159 to speak directly to your bank!
9. Family Link https://familylink.google.com If you have a Goole account you can monitor individual devices in the home and turn off internet access to individual devices.
10. Check your credit score with sites such as Experian. This is a multinational consumer credit reporting agency (CRA) based in Dublin, Ireland. Experian | Credit Scores, Reports & Credit Comparison
11. Action Fraud
12. Family Link https://familylink.google.com If you have a Goole account you can monitor individual devices in the home and turn off internet access to individual devices.
13. ReThink ReThink – Before the Damage is Done – A great app to download onto a child’s mobile phone to help monitor the content of messages being written.
14. Report Remove | Childline – Help having indecent images removed from some Social Media servers.
15. Smartphone Free Childhood – Support for parents.
16. Cyber Governor programme – Governors for Schools All schools should have a Cyber Governor. Great place to start supporting them.

Always report any suspicious activity online particularly if you are concerned with content your child has seen or if someone has been speaking to your child you do not know.

All Social Media Sites contain adult material, so negotiating Social Media can be difficult for a child.

Further information and support can be found on:

https://www.iwf.org.uk/

https://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/

 

 

Collective Worship and Literacy competition

Students are invited to write a non-fiction piece offering guidance on spirituality and what that means for students at Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School.

Your entries will be used to create a display, the finalists will be published in the Head’s Herald, and the winner will receive a prize.

What is Spirituality?

A broad, personal quest for meaning, purpose, and connection to something greater than oneself, often involving inner awareness, transcendence, and values like love, compassion, and peace, distinct from but sometimes intertwined with organized religion or faith.

It’s about exploring our deepest selves, our relationship with the world, nature, others, or a divine reality, finding significance beyond daily life. 

 

Examples of spirituality in daily life:

Mindfulness & Reflection: Meditation, deep breathing (breathwork), quiet reflection, journaling

• Connection with Nature: Walking in forests, watching sunsets, stargazing, caring for plants.
• Service & Compassion: Volunteering, helping others, practicing empathy.
• Rituals & Worship: Prayer, chanting mantras, attending religious services, reading sacred texts (Bible, Quran, etc.).
• Creative Expression: Making art, playing music, writing poetry.
• Physical Disciplines: Yoga, fasting, focused exercise.
• Community & Connection: Fellowship with like-minded people, connecting with family or pets.

Writing ideas:

• An article about the meaning of spirituality, it’s importance and how it can be practiced
• A blog about your relationship with spirituality, what it means to you and how you practice it
• A how-to guide on increasing your connection with spirituality and finding significance beyond daily life
• A poster including key information about spirituality

Please ensure that your submission is display worthy! It can be handwritten or word-processed, and you may choose to include images. If you would like more information or some help, please attend the Writer’s Workshop on Wednesday lunch – Room 22. Please give your completed work to Mrs Hoey or Miss Ward before the end of this half term. 

Happy writing!

 

Physical Education

Please Label School Uniform and PE Kit

Over the past few weeks, we’ve noticed an increase in school uniform and PE kit going missing or being accidentally swapped. With so many students wearing similar items every day, it can be very difficult to tell belongings apart — especially jumpers, cardigans, PE tops and coats.

We would like to remind families that we have been asking for all uniform and PE kit to be clearly labelled since September, and we are now nearly a full term into the school year. Unfortunately, unlabelled items make it very difficult to return lost clothing to the correct student.

To help reduce lost property and avoid mix-ups, we kindly ask all families to check that every item of school uniform and PE kit is labelled with the student’s name. Labels allow staff and students to return items to their rightful owner quickly and easily.

Thank you for your continued support in helping us look after everyone’s belongings and keep school running smoothly.

PE Department

 

NEW PE EXTRA-CURRICULAR TIMETABLE

The PE department have redesigned their extra-curricular offer and have several new clubs on offer; boys fitness club, pickle ball, and new dance clubs. All of the clubs stated on the timetable will start w/c Monday 12th January, and run up until the Easter break. Please note, our sport fixtures have now changed from football and rugby, to netball and basketball to fit in with the Warrington HS leagues. For our Year 11 choice subjects, Period 6’s will commence from Tuesday 13^th January. 

Please encourage your child to get involved with as many clubs as possible!

 

Music Department

 

10-15-year-old Fitness Course in Great Sankey

A local gym, ECE Fitness, is hosting after-school children’s fitness sessions.

The classes are for 10-15-year-olds and we’ve had astounding feedback so far, so we’re really eager to help more children boost their fitness, focus and discipline in a fun and social environment. Please click on the link for further details.

https://ecefitness.wodify.com/OnlineSalesPage/Main?q=ReviewPurchase%7COnlineMembershipId%3D286622%26LocationId%3D8592%26OnlineMembershipPaymentOptionId%3D1442699