Dear Parents/Carers

I hope you are well.

Over recent weeks, we have been carefully reviewing a number of operational considerations to ensure that the exams run smoothly and with minimum disruption for those sitting them and to ensure that all students are fully supported. Our priority at all times is to safeguard students’ learning and wellbeing and to ensure that no student is disadvantaged.

Following this review, we have taken the decision to amend a small part of the mock examination timetable. I would like to reassure you that this change only affects MFL speaking examinations, Art, and Design & Technology. All other mock examinations will run as originally scheduled. I felt it was important to be transparent and to communicate this change to all clearly in advance.

By making this decision now, we are able to provide students with clarity and stability, allowing them to prepare effectively without the uncertainty of last-minute changes. An updated mock examination timetable can be found here, and students will also be informed directly in school.

Please be assured that this decision has been made with careful consideration and with students’ best interests at the forefront. I fully appreciate that any change can be inconvenient, and I am sincerely sorry for any disruption this may cause.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support and if there are any questions please do contact us.

This week, I have spent a great deal of time working with our young people around the theme of belonging. You may have seen our Belonging Charter, which guides us in our work every day. Being part of the Boteler family is about ensuring that everyone has a sense of purpose and value—knowing they are loved, cared for, and supported throughout the day by a team of people who consistently go above and beyond to help them succeed.

As you have heard me say many times, success is bespoke and looks different for every child. Every one of our young people is unique, and each one is precious to us. It feels important to take this opportunity to remind our young people, our staff, and you as parents and carers just how vital you are to our school family.

While these relationships bring so many positives, there are also times when they are tested—often through moments of frustration or misunderstanding. However, we are always committed to finding solutions and working together, because by doing so we almost always achieve the best outcomes. Life can be challenging, which is why we focus so strongly on getting the basics right and maintaining high standards.

Only last week, we received some wonderful feedback from members of our community who commented on how amazing our students are, and how respectful and kind they were. Of course, I also recognise that a very small minority sometimes make poor choices. Even then, we received positive feedback about how situations were handled, how matters were resolved, and how learning came from the process. Ultimately, our young people grow through these experiences.

I also acknowledge that we may not always get everything 100% right. What I can assure you of is that everything we do is driven by the very best intentions. For me, belonging is about working with the rich tapestry of life to weave a blanket that offers safety and comfort—a place where we know that whether we get things right or wrong, we are in an environment that is supportive, kind, and caring, allowing us to learn and grow together.

We all share the same vision here: every young person matters. We strive to create an educational home where children feel valued, dignified, unjudged, and celebrated for who they are—unique and special. While this is a lovely aspiration, we recognise that navigating the complexities of life can be difficult, and that is when belonging becomes even more important. Feeling your worth is crucial to happiness, and our aim is to create a place where young people can thrive and ultimately achieve.

I am incredibly proud of our young people, and I genuinely love working with them—and with you as their families—on a daily basis. I am grateful for your ongoing support and see it as a privilege that my team and I are able to play a small part in your child’s life. This is a responsibility we take very seriously and never for granted.

Finally, I simply want to say thank you. You are valued, and we do not always get the chance to say that often enough. A little gratitude goes a long way.

Thank you for belonging to the Boteler family. And please remember, if I can ever help in any way, you are only ever one question away.

Beverley Scott-Herron

Headteacher

 

Supporting EAL Learners Through SAM Learning

At our school, we are always looking for ways to support every student in reaching their full potential. One platform that has had a particularly positive impact on our EAL (English as an Additional Language) learners is SAM Learning.

SAM Learning allows teachers to set bespoke homework that is carefully matched to each student’s language level and learning needs. For EAL learners, this means homework is not just an add-on, but a targeted tool to help develop English proficiency in a structured and supportive way.

Through the platform, students complete a wide range of tailored tasks, including reading activities, writing exercises, and focused grammar practice. Reading tasks help build vocabulary and improve comprehension, while writing activities give students the opportunity to practise sentence structure, spelling, and expressing ideas clearly in English. Grammar tasks reinforce key language rules, helping learners gain confidence and accuracy over time.

One of the key benefits of SAM Learning is its flexibility. Students can complete homework at their own pace, revisit tasks when needed, and receive instant feedback. This is especially valuable for EAL learners, who may need extra time to process new language or benefit from repeating activities to consolidate their understanding.

The platform also helps teachers monitor progress easily, allowing them to identify strengths and areas for development. This ensures that future homework can be adapted to continue meeting students’ needs and supporting steady progress.

If you think your child would benefit from this, or you have questions around access and login, please do get in touch cburbidge@boteler.org.uk

 

Chinese / Hong Kong Translation

[在本校，我們一直非常關注如何幫助學童發揮其天賦與潛能。有鑑於本校亦有為數不少的非英語為第一語言的學生，我們特別重視如何利用本校已購買了的網上學習平台 SAM Learning 來幫助及提升這些學生他們的學習成效與提升其興趣。]

[SAM Learning 是一個線上學習平台，讓教師能夠將已教授的練習題目以及相關知識重點整合並存放在該平台上，以便學生在課餘時間進行複習。透過這個平台，學生可以根據自己的學習需要而選擇不同程度的練習。對於非英語為第一語言的學生而言，在課堂後利用 SAM Learning 重溫當天的學習內容，是對其提升英語水平，特別是熟練英文中有關文法的結構與語文之運用能力，皆是非常之有效的方法。]

[透過這個學習平台，學生可以完整且廣泛地重溫各類閱讀、寫作與語法練習，有效提升英語學習能力：

1. 閱讀練習題目：幫助學生擴展英語詞彙量，並提高閱讀理解能力。
2. 寫作練習題目：協助學生改善寫作技巧，使其更熟悉英語寫作的結構與表達方式。
3. 文法練習題目：強化學生對英語文法規則的掌握，透過不斷練習增強自信並提升準確性。]

此學習平台的一大優點在於它是網上平台，學生可以隨時隨地登入並使用，不再局限於校內學習，而是可以在家中或任何有網絡的地方登入。由於網絡學習具有靈活性，特別適合那些仍在努力學習英語的學生。他們可以在課餘時間反覆進行聆聽與寫作練習，從而有效且持續地提升自己的英語水平。

除此之外，此平台還能協助各科任老師根據系統所呈現的成績資料來評估學生的學習進度。老師們可清楚掌握學生的習作成績、寫作答案和學習趨勢，從而了解每位學生目前的學習狀況。藉著這些數據分析，老師可以根據學生的長處與弱點，針對性地優化教學內容，並提供更合適、更有效的學習材料，以幫助每位同學持續進步或改善尚未理想的部分。

[如果貴 家長想了解此平台的更多詳情或有進一步的查詢，歡迎聯絡本人]

cburbidge@boteler.org.uk

謹祝

Mr. Burbidge

 

Punctuality – The U code is an absence

Good punctuality is essential for fostering a positive learning environment, promoting personal growth, and preparing students for success in all aspects of school life.

Students can access school from 08.00 and can make their way to form rooms from 08.20. All students need to be onsite from 08.20 ready for standard (Monday to Thursday) checks.  On a Friday, students can access school from 08.35 and will make their way to form rooms at 08.50.

As a school we have clear guidance to follow, where the Department for Education clearly state:

‘Schools should actively discourage late arrival, be alert to patterns of late arrival and seek an explanation from the parent. All schools are expected to set out in their attendance policy the length of time the register will be open, after which a pupil will be marked as absent. This should be the same for every session and not longer than 30 minutes’.

Where a student is late to school after 09.00 Monday to Thursday or 09.25 on a Friday, they will receive a U code. A U code is where a student has arrived in school after registration has closed but before the end of session (AM or PM). Students will automatically be issued with a 60 minute detention on the same day.

Please note that a U code is classified for statistical purposes as unauthorised absence, where this may lead to more formal attendance procedures being put in place.

Like with absence, punctuality and exceptional circumstances should be reported to our Attendance Officer or your child’s Head of Year.

We are here to support, so please do not hesitate to contact us.

 

Youth Parliament

Congratulations to Morgan, Sara and Emily who have been shortlisted as Warrington’s Candidate for Member of Youth Parliament. Voting will go live on Monday 9^th February and all Secondary age students can vote. 

 

Careers Learning Journey

Year 11 had a very informative assembly from Priestley college this week explaining the next steps including the importance of attending your interview and attending the next Open Evening on Thursday 5^th February (also open to Year 10) to learn about the wide range of specialism that are available there. Please book on here:

Open Event – Priestley College

 

Warrington Vale Royal

We were delighted to welcome Warrington Vale Royal in this week to talk to our Year 11 students about Apprenticeships as part of their Careers Learning Journey and part of their National Apprenticeship week.

Students learnt about ‘What an apprenticeship is, where to find them, the different levels of apprenticeship, which apprenticeships they could study at Warrington vale Royal and started to think about whether this pathway would be for them post 16.

Year 7 and 8 also received their Apprenticeship workshop as part of the upcoming National Apprenticeship week which is the  9^th February.

Please take a look at the following links:

Amazing Apprenticeships | Explore Technical Education & Apprenticeship Opportunities

National Apprenticeship Week 2026, 9 – 15 February 2026

Here you will find all the facts and parent/carer tools to help you have conversations with your child.

 

Year 9 this week received an assembly from Higher Horizons Home – Higher Horizons about University and choosing options. They have a follow up workshop in a few weeks.

Year 7 all had a ‘Jobs of the future’ workshop delivered by Higher Horizons. They demonstrated superb listening skills and teamwork during the sessions, two of the essential skills wanted by today’s employers.

 

Important information for Year 11, 10 and 9:

 

Warrington Vale Royal College

College Experience Evening – Save the date!

We have our dates confirmed for College Experience Evening: Wednesday 15^th February and Wednesday 1^st April!

At College Experience Evening, applicants will get the chance to experience a 2-hour session of their chosen course, meet potential future classmates, and discover more about college life.

Sign-ups will be out very shortly!

 

Apprenticeships Q&As

Our Apprenticeships Team are hosting monthly online Apprenticeship Q&A sessions via Microsoft Teams. These sessions are an ideal way for students to learn more about apprenticeship pathways and receive guidance to support their next steps.

The upcoming dates are:

• Tuesday 10th February
• Tuesday 10th March

Students must register using the form on this webpage, so please encourage them to sign up: https://wvr.ac.uk/events-news/apprenticeship-q-a

 

Myerscough College

 

 

We welcomed Frankie, a previous Senior Head Student, back into school today as the Current Member of Youth Parliament for Warrington. Frankie led a question-and-answer session for the students who applied for the next member of the Youth Parliament. Frankie also joined our school Council meeting at lunchtime. It was fabulous to see the engagement with our students.

 

 

On Monday 26th January, we were pleased to host a Parent Forum on Understanding ADHD, which was very well attended by parents and carers. The session provided valuable insight into ADHD alongside practical strategies to support children with organisation, focus, emotional regulation and overall wellbeing. 

Feedback from parents was positive, with many commenting on how informative and reassuring they found the session. We were grateful to Lynsey Thorniley for delivering an engaging and accessible presentation, and we would like to thank all families who took the time to attend. 

Our next event is Year 9 Parents’ Evening, which will take place on Monday 9th February 15:30-19:00. We look forward to welcoming parents and carers on the evening.

 

 

 

 

This week as part of Collective Worship, we have been remembering the horrors of the Holocaust and genocides throughout the world. Tuesday 27^th January is National Holocaust Memorial Day and it is a chance for us all to learn about the atrocities that took place during World War II and other genocides in recent history and make a commitment to never repeat them. Students were invited at lunch to light a candle in remembrance of all people who are killed in genocide

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” 

This quote from Isaiah 41:10 reminds us that no matter what trials we face in life, if we have faith in God we will not be alone. 

Spiritual Pause: How can we change our lives for the better? How do we speak to others to promote peace? Do we accept the faults of others? When we find life challenging, where do we get endurance to not give up? 

Episcopal Visit Last week Bishop Mark Tanner from the Diocese of Chester visited school along with Reverend Michael Ridley from St. Thomas’ Church, Stockton Heath. They were both taken on a tour of the school by senior students and then they experienced student-led Collective Worship from our Worship Ambassadors. Some Year 10 Hospitality students also made and served some delicious refreshments, while Bishop Mark answered some of the students questions such as; “What do you enjoy about being a Bishop?” and “What are you doing to help young people develop their faith?”. It was a wonderful celebration, and we look forward to welcoming Bishop Mark to our school again in the future!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Science Department

A Remarkable Achievement for Our Year 10 Students

Mond Awards STEM Challenge 2026

We are immensely proud to celebrate the outstanding success of our Year 10 students at the Mond Awards STEM Challenge 2026, a prestigious regional competition hosted and designed by Cronton College.

On Friday 23rd January, two teams of four Year 10 students travelled to Widnes to represent our school at this highly competitive STEM challenge day. What awaited them was an event of impressive scale, with students from 18 schools across the region in attendance, representing both state and independent schools. In total, 36 teams competed, making the standard of competition exceptionally high throughout the day.

The event comprised five demanding STEM challenges, each with its own detailed marking criteria, testing not only subject knowledge but also teamwork, resilience, creativity, and problem-solving under pressure. From the outset, our students demonstrated focus, enthusiasm, and a strong collaborative approach.

The day began with the mathematics challenge, where students tackled a wide range of complex problems across varying levels of difficulty, requiring logical reasoning, accuracy, and efficient time management. This was followed by a highly practical engineering challenge, in which teams were tasked with designing and constructing a functioning wind turbine capable of lifting a weight using rotational motion. With only simple materials such as card and a pencil, students had to apply engineering principles, creativity, and iterative testing to produce a successful design.

Next, students faced an exciting breakout room challenge, progressing through four increasingly demanding levels of tasks focused on energy concepts and calculations. Precision, teamwork, and clear communication were essential as teams worked methodically to unlock each stage and advance to the next level.

After a well-deserved break to recharge, students returned for the final two challenges, both of which placed a strong emphasis on experimental skills, data handling, and scientific analysis. The first involved investigating the relationship between temperature and electrical resistance using a thermistor. Students collected and analysed data to determine the temperatures of two liquids using resistance measurements alone — without the use of a thermometer.

The final challenge focused on enzyme activity, where students carried out practical experiments using different substrate concentrations. They calculated rates of reaction, interpreted their results, and used their findings to make accurate scientific predictions — demonstrating a high level of understanding and analytical skill.

The day concluded with an awards ceremony bringing together all 36 teams from some of the most respected schools across the region. After a tense wait and a drum roll moment, we were delighted to learn that our Year 10 team had achieved an exceptional second place overall. This is a truly outstanding result and a testament to the students’ dedication, teamwork, and perseverance across all five challenges.

Huge congratulations go to Ali Jemmal, Joe Rigby-Davis, Taylor-Rae Green, and Madison Chisnall for their remarkable performance. They worked consistently as a cohesive team, supported one another throughout the day, and represented the school with professionalism, determination, and enthusiasm. This achievement is something they should be extremely proud of and highlights the strength of STEM learning within our school.

Mr Caine – Second in Science/STEM Lead

 

 

 

Art Department

Warrington & Vale Royal College’s Young Artist of the Year Award is back! It is open to all students in Year 10 and Year 11, but we strongly encourage our Art students to enter! Please see Mrs Guttridge if you are interested, for more information. 

 

Graphic Design

Year 9 Graphics students have been working on redesigning the graphics classroom as part of a practical design project. They started by using SketchUp to create a 3D model of the room, thinking carefully about the layout, furniture, and how the space could be improved for lessons.

After completing their designs, students used AI tools to turn their models into more realistic images, adding colour, materials, lighting, and Sir Thomas Boteler School branding. This helped them see what their ideas might look like in real life rather than just as a basic model.

The project introduced students to skills used by architects and interior designers, such as planning spaces, using 3D design software, and presenting ideas clearly. It also gave them an insight into how modern design industries use new technology, including AI, to develop and communicate ideas.

 

Hospitality

This week Year 11 Hospitality and Catering students have completed their REAL 3-hour practical exam. It is worth a significant number of marks towards their final Btec grade. Students had to produce two different dishes, each with accompaniments to the brief of ‘Street Food’. Everything must be made fully from scratch with no shop bought elements.  

Ms Fallon is very proud of you, the impressive way you have conducted yourselves and the high standard, complex dishes produced. 

 

 

Physical Education

Sportshall Athletics: Endurance in Action

Our students proudly represented the school at the recent Indoor Sportshall Athletics competition, delivering a day filled with energy, determination, and outstanding performances. Competing against a strong field of schools, our athletes showed exactly what it means to wear our colours with pride.

From the first event to the final relay, students demonstrated impressive commitment and focus. There were notable individual performances across track and field events. Congratulations to Emily M (Year 7) who won the 4 lap race and was crowned fastest girl in Warrington on the day! Lee S (Year 8) finished in impressive silver medal position in the Year 8 boys’ 4 lap race and Nate M stormed to a second place finish in the gruelling 6 lap race.  Just as important, there was a clear sense of teamwork and encouragement throughout the day. Students supported one another between events, stayed positive under pressure, and approached every challenge with enthusiasm.

A key attribute on display was endurance, one of our core school values. The competition demanded both physical stamina and mental resilience, with students often moving quickly from one event to the next. Despite this, our athletes remained motivated, composed, and determined, pushing themselves to the very end and never giving up—even when events were tough or results were close.

Staff and officials commented on the students’ excellent attitude, sportsmanship, and behaviour, which reflected the high standards we expect both in and out of school. The experience not only helped develop athletic skills, but also reinforced the importance of perseverance, commitment, and resilience—qualities that extend far beyond sport.

Congratulations to all students who took part. Your efforts, positive attitudes, and endurance made the school community proud.

Year 8 boys rugby success

A big well done to our Year 8 boys rugby team who won their final NW Counties Cup group game against Crompton House. It was a great game of rugby, played in the right spirit. Our Year 8’s came out 16-10 winner! Stand out performers were Callum and Joseph K.

 

Year 8 and 9 rowing success

A true demonstration of grit and effort! Our Year 8 and 9 rowing teams took part in an indoor rowing competition over at Birchwood HS, as part of their participation in the All Aboard Youth Rowing initiative. They competed against schools from all over the North West area in an individual 3 minute piece, as well as a team relay. We are so proud of our student’s achievements and resilience as they represented our school impeccably.

A big shout out to Shelby who came 5^th out of 32 Year 9 girls, and Francesca who came 11^th out of 154 Year 8 girls. As a result, Francesca has qualified to represent the North West at the National Indoor rowing competition in London on the 20^th March.

Our very own Mr Mason jumped on to the rowing machine and did our school proud in the teachers race, despite his shirt and tie! We think it’s safe to say, he found out how hard the 3 minute piece is!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Individual success

Joel from Year 7 took part in an Indoor Athletics competition at the weekend. The best part is that Joel was competing against individuals in the U13’s category! He performed excellently and the team came 2^nd out of the North West area! Well done Joel, your school is proud of you!

 

Spring Spectacular

Spring Spectacular has officially begun! Rehearsals are already under way for our next dance show. It is not too late to sign up. Rehearsals are a Tuesday and Thursday lunch and Thursday after school. See Mrs Hughes, Mrs Graham or Miss Wright in these rehearsals to sign up. You can be a part of our group pieces or create your own.

 

 

Encounter Youth and Westy Youth are back!

All high-school age young people are welcome. E-mail our school youth worker kwellens@boteler.org.uk if you have any questions, or feel free just to turn up!