Dear Parents/Carers
I hope you are well.
We have had a wonderful week with so much going on already. You may have seen in the press that we have been awarded the LPPA – Leading Parent Partnership Award. This is National recognition for all the work we do with you, our parents and carers to ensure you are supported and feel included in your child’s education. The working partnerships, as I always reiterate, are so important for success and we are a successful school because of how you engage and work with us. Whilst it is wonderful to be recognised for an award, we do what we do because it matters and makes a difference. I really value working with all of you and I it is a real privilege to be able to educate your child. We are looking at taking our partnership working to the next step and Mr Mason – Assistant Headteacher who looks after the Parental Engagement will be in touch soon. Due to our success, I have been invited to speak at a DFE (Department for Education) conference on Parental Engagement, so we can support other schools in the North West who want to improve in this area.
On Tuesday Evening we had our Inauguration Service where we the new Year 7 students are formally handed over to the Boteler Family. Each Primary school Headteacher or Year 6 teacher speaks about the wonderful students who have now started with us. St Elphin’s Church was beyond full and the feedback we have received was overwhelmingly positive. The Year 7 students were amazing, and the Service was just beautiful. The Senior Head Students spoke about the life of the school and what it means to be a part of our Boteler Family. They were very impressive and articulate, certainly inspiring the next generation in front of them.
We have our Open Evening next week 25th September 2025, 17:00-20:00. Please, if possible, could you share our promotional video (https://youtu.be/akfBX3LDlGs) with your families and friends and encourage them to come and visit us. If they are unable to attend, please ask them to contact the school and we can arrange a tour. Of course please do watch the video yourself, even though you are a member of the Boteler Family as it is a wonderful representation of everything we stand for.
The Wider Curricular timetable is now up and running. Please encourage your child to participate in an activity as it will really help with their holistic development. If there is something that is not represented, then please ask your child to come and tell us and we can see if there is a way we can facilitate a club for them.
Thank you for your continued support around the phone pouches. Please can you just make sure your child remembers them every day. Also, in terms of standards, skirt length is still an issue. If you have a solution, please could you email me with your thoughts as I am really interested in finding a way forward regarding this – bscott-herron@boteler.org.uk. And finally on standards, students are starting to wear pimple patches in patterns such a love hearts, flowers, stars etc. Unfortunately, these are not permitted. I completely understand that young people can feel self-conscious about their skin, therefore concealer is permitted and or skin-coloured patches. Please can I remind you that if the weather is inclement, it is a good idea for your child to bring a coat to school. This week we have been letting the students in from 07.40 when the rain was particularly bad. However, students were arriving to us already soaking wet and it is not pleasant sitting in damp clothes all day. A coat and or umbrella would help. I appreciate the British weather can change at any moment, so the success here is by being prepared.
Thanks as always for your continued support and if I can be of any help in any way please do get in contact with me. Have a lovely weekend.
Beverley Scott-Herron
Headteacher
SAM Learning and ESAs
In last week’s Heads Herald I shared information about our new ESA booklets. As a reminder ESA stands for Exam Skills and Agency. ESAs are also a vital support tool for students when completing homework, and at times, they are used as the direct resource for homework. Some subjects have been making tweaks to ESAs based on September training so that they support students in the best possible way. They are now finalised.
With the ESAs now in place, and the academic year fully up and running, homework will be set regularly. This year, another subject has joined the ‘Sparx provision’. Both Maths and Science now use Sparx as it is the very best resource to support learning and improve outcomes. All remaining subjects will continue to use SAM learning.
Please remember that students use their school email address as both their username and password when logging on. There is a third line on the log in page called ‘Centre ID’. This is only for staff, please leave blank for students. If you have any concerns with SAM learning access or use please do not hesitate to contact me at ckinsey@boteler.org.uk
Mr. C. Kinsey
Senior Deputy Headteacher
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.
Punctuality – The U Code
Arriving on time is crucial in order for students to achieve their potential, however, we have seen an increased number of students arriving late to school. We have now allowed students to access school from 08:00 Monday–Thursday, as we have observed a number of students waiting outside at this time. Students must on time to then make their way to form rooms at 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.
Food hamper support for families
A reminder about our work with MCKS Charitable Foundation UK (MCKS), who continue to provide schools across the country with support for their most vulnerable students and families, by donating food, toiletries, and much needed sanitary supplies.
Due to their amazing sponsors and donations, we have continued to receive a fortnightly delivery, where we have been supporting a number of families. We recognise that times are tough at the moment, and with the support of MCKS, we have gone a small way to help families at this challenging time.
We know that it can be hard to ask for support at times, however, we really encourage you to reach out for support should you need it. Simply contact your child’s Head of Year or Mr Leonard (jleonard@boteler.org.uk) and all requests for support will be treated sensitively.
A big thank you to MCKS.
Transition
Thank you to those parents/carers who supported our wonderful Inauguration service this week. It was lovely to see so many of you there supporting our school and your child as they make their first steps in their next educational journey. We would like to thank the primary teachers and Headteachers who attended as well as those who couldn’t but sent some lovely words through about their students/class.
Boteler Wider Curriculum
The wider curriculum programme can be found here: www.boteler.org.uk/bwc-timetable
Your child may have signed up to be part of a Council within school. Please encourage them to make every effort to attend meetings and use their voice to make positive change in school and our community.
Careers Learning Journey
Year 11 should now be deciding which college, and which courses they would like to study at next academic year. They need to complete their applications over this next term. In their Careers Inspire sessions during form they receive assemblies from the local colleges as well as information about open evenings. Students need to sign up to attend the open evenings and apply online to the colleges for a place next year.
Please remember that we have a Career Guidance officer in school that year 11 can meet with and you as parent/care can attend as well. Please contact rhorne@boteler.org.uk if you would like to.
Year 10
The week commencing the 30th March is your ‘Experiences of a work place’ week. This means you can go out on work experience for 1 week during school time. As Year 10 students they need to find their own placement and need to start looking now. Further details to follow.
School Council
The school council have been overwhelmed by the positive feedback from other students regarding the new bathrooms.
Italy Visit 2026!
The Italy visit for 2026 has now been booked!
The next payment instalment of £70.00 is due by 22nd October.
The balance is due by 1st July 2026.
At Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School, we know that strong partnerships with parents and carers are key to helping our young people thrive. This half term, we are pleased to share two important opportunities for you to connect with us and support your child’s journey.
Parent Forum: KS4 Exam Preparation.
Our next Parent Forum will take place on Wednesday 8th October. This session will focus on practical ways families can support students with their studies, including strategies for revision and managing workload. The forum is also a chance for you to share your views and ask questions.
Year 11 Parents’ Evening
We are also looking forward to welcoming families of our Year 11 students to Parents’ Evening on Monday 6th October. This is a crucial opportunity for parents and carers to meet with subject teachers, discuss progress and identify the best ways to support students as they move towards their final examinations.
We hope to see as many of you as possible at both events as we continue to build strong and supportive partnerships between home and school.
Fresh is back!
All students are welcome to come along to Fresh club on a Friday after school, which will now be in the School Library or Drama Studio.
Come along to make new friends, play games, get free snacks and chat about faith!
If you want to know more, chat to the school Youth for Christ worker, Kim.
Marine Biology Club trip to the School of Ocean Science
This week the marine biology club embarked on our annual migration for a day of science at The School of Ocean Science, The University of North Wales, Bangor.
21 Students who last year took the Year 10 Marine Biology course were invited and travelled down the Anglesey to experience university life at the world renounced centre.
Now it’s not all marine biology, but everything in the marine environment that is studied here and Professor Yueng-Djern Lenn talked about physical oceanography and in its role in temperature regulation of the Earth. This is hugely important in our current climate crisis. The students then went on to perform wave speed experiments where they examined the difference water depth has on wave speed. They produced waves along a 2-meter run and recorded the timings. The results were then interpreted in graphical form to allow a relationship between depth and speed was discovered.
They then went on the zooplankton hunt with Dr Charlotte Colvin, who introduced the workshop and guided our students. Using amazing equipment, they were able to take samples from a central container. These were then put under the microscopes to find anything alive. Not only were many different species of zooplankton observed but also the delicate structures of different species of seaweed.
After this look into the microscopic world and lunch they had chance for a small discussion on working in marine science, before we all climbed back onto the coach and headed back home. A brilliant day and here’s looking forward to the next one where our current Year 10 marine biology club members will take this trip.
Mr Caine STEM Lead
Drama – KS3 Footwear
Please ensure that students are bringing in alternative footwear for Drama lessons. Now that the winter months are here outdoor shoes are bringing in mud, dust, stones etc and making the environment for practical work tricky. Suitable changes of footwear can be clean trainers, crocs, grip socks, slip ons, pumps. They must have a non-slip sole for Health & Safety reasons. Many thanks, Ms Armstrong
Art Department
KS3 Art Club are off to an amazing start with their Remembrance project for this year’s Remembrance Service. Students will be looking at different media to create a response to remember service personnel with links to our school.
Physical Education
Football results
Year 7 boy’s football team:
STB 1-0 Cardinal Newman
STB 2-0 Padgate
Year 9 boy’s football team:
STB 1-1 Penketh
STB 1-0 Great Sankey
What’s on this week?
Please see the timetable below to see all of the clubs, fixtures and activities on offer from the PE department.
