Dear Parents/Carers

I hope you are well. I can only apologise as I seem to have jinxed the weather with the mere mention of Spring — it appears to have rained ever since! I will take full responsibility for that.

However, I would really appreciate your support regarding something that is truly weather-related: the school field. At the moment I feel a little like the Wicked Witch of the West because the field is currently out of action due to the persistent wet weather we have been experiencing.

As you know, we are very fortunate to have wonderful school grounds and the students love spending time on the field — playing football, having picnics, or simply relaxing with their friends. Unfortunately, when the ground becomes too wet, the field quickly turns into a mud bath, and therefore I am unable to allow students onto it at the moment. Please be assured that this is not a decision I take lightly. I really do want students to enjoy their lunch times, get some fresh air, and burn off energy by running around or playing football. I review the situation regularly (and receive daily visits from students asking if it has reopened!), and I will continue to assess conditions over the next couple of weeks. Hopefully, after Easter we will be able to allow students back onto the field.

We also had a brilliant Year 9 Options Evening on Thursday evening. Thank you to all the families who attended. If you were unable to attend, please contact Mrs Brown at sbrown@boteler.org.uk as a matter of urgency. I would also encourage you to visit our dedicated Options webpage,  Options – Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School which provides further details and guidance. This is a crucial part of your child’s school journey, and we want all students to make informed choices that will support their future success.

Just a reminder that tights are required at all school events if a student chooses to wear a skirt, unless they have a medical exemption. This requirement remains in place until after the May half-term, after which socks may be worn for the final half-term if students prefer.

I will also be sending out a letter next week regarding our new uniform supplier, so please keep an eye out for that.

Finally, thank you for your continued support regarding attendance and punctuality. We have seen improvements again recently, which is very encouraging, but there is still room for further progress. Please continue to reinforce with your young person the importance of good attendance and punctuality. Developing these habits now will support them greatly both in school and throughout their lives.

Thank you for your continued support and have a wonderful weekend.

Beverley Scott-Herron

Headteacher

 

System updates and raising the bar further in standards

As part of our continued work to achieve our ‘High Expectations, High Aspirations and High Standards’, we are making a small number of adjustments to some of our daily systems. These changes are designed to improve punctuality, reduce disruption to learning and ensure that our school environment remains calm, orderly and focused on success.

Over recent months we have communicated regularly with families about the importance of punctuality to school. Being on time is essential for students to start the day positively, attend form time and be ready for learning. Unfortunately, we are still seeing a number of students arriving significantly late to school.

We would therefore like to inform parents of a change for those students arriving late to school.

Changes to the Late Arrival Entrance

Currently, students who arrive late enter the school via Reception. However, as many parents will know, our reception area is relatively small and can become extremely busy, particularly when we have visitors, meetings or external professionals in school.

To reduce congestion and ensure a smoother and safer start to the day, we will be introducing a new approach.

From now on:

• Students arriving between 08:55 and 09:55 should enter the school through the student morning entrance (the doors by the KS4 toilets).
• This entrance will be supervised by SLT during this time.
• Reception will therefore remain available for visitors, appointments and essential enquiries.

This change will help us manage late arrivals more efficiently while also reducing pressure on the reception team.

A reminder:

• Students arriving after 09:00 will receive a U code on the register. This is recorded as an unauthorised late after the close of registration.
• We will continue to monitor punctuality closely and contact families where concerns arise so that we can work together to improve attendance habits.

 

Our Focus on High Standards

Alongside punctuality, we are continuing to place a strong emphasis on the everyday expectations that help create a positive learning environment. In particular, we are asking for your continued support with:

• Attendance – ensuring students attend school every day unless absolutely unavoidable.
• Punctuality – arriving on time and ready to start the day.
• Uniform and appearance – meeting the school’s expectations consistently.
• Equipment for learning – students arriving prepared for lessons.

These expectations are not new, but they are essential in helping every student succeed. When students arrive on time, correctly dressed and ready to learn, the entire school benefits.

Where concerns arise, our first priority will always be communication and partnership with parents and carers so that we can support students in improving habits and routines.

Recognising Positive Effort and Achievement

Alongside maintaining high standards, we are also continuing to recognise and celebrate the many students who consistently demonstrate positive behaviour, strong effort and commitment to their learning. Through our rewards systems and fortnightly recognition and other incentives, students are regularly acknowledged for meeting expectations, showing excellent effort and contributing positively to school life.

We believe that celebrating these positive habits is an important part of building a culture where students feel motivated, valued and proud of their achievements.

After School Detentions

As part of maintaining high standards of behaviour and learning, the school will continue to use after school detentions where appropriate. In line with Department for Education guidance, schools are not required to seek parental permission before issuing an after-school detention. These detentions are an important part of ensuring that expectations around behaviour, punctuality and completion of work are upheld consistently.

Parents and carers will be notified via text message if their child has been issued with an after-school detention. We ask that families make every effort to support the school in ensuring students attend. Only in exceptional circumstances will students be excused from an after-school detention. Examples of this may include students who are Young Carers, those who rely on pre-arranged transport such as a taxi organised for school travel, or other significant safeguarding or logistical circumstances.

We also encourage parents and carers to continue to regularly monitor their child’s performance, behaviour and key school communications through the Parent Arbor App, which remains the primary platform for updates, messages, and important information from the school.

Your support in reinforcing these expectations helps us maintain a calm, purposeful environment where all students can succeed.

Working Together

We know that strong parental engagement makes a significant difference. By working together and reinforcing these expectations both at home and in school, we can ensure that all students are ready to learn and able to make the most of every day.

Thank you for your continued support.

 

Free Online Safety Parent Workshop – Thursday 30^th April 7pm

Warrington Local Authority are totally committed to the digital safety and wellbeing of their students. As part of this, they are running a workshop dedicated to helping parents understand the risks their children face in their online lives and the practical things parents can do to help.

Please join them for this hour-long workshop in which Ruth Noble, Digital Safeguarding Education Specialist will provide you with lots of valuable insights and tools.

Including:

• Information on the latest apps and games your child may have access to.
• The harmful content your child may be exposed to.
• How you can help your child to safely navigate online risk.
• How to access our FREE Online Safety Hub with dedicated guidance for parents.
• An introduction to a parental app that allows you to control what your child sees online if they are at risk, plus other important features.

Please use the link to register for your free place Webinar Registration – Zoom

 

 

Years 9 Immunisations – Tetanus, Diphtheria & Polio (Td/IPV) and Meningitis ACWY

Please click on the following link to view a letter and consent form from the Cheshire, Warrington and Wirral School Age Immunisation Service, regarding the upcoming Year 9 Tetanus, Diphtheria & Polio (Td/IPV) and Meningitis ACWY Immunisations. These vaccinations will take place in school on Wednesday 25/03/26.

https://tinyurl.com/bhpps3vx 

If you have any questions, please contact the Cheshire, Warrington and Wirral School Age Immunisation Service.

 

Women in STEM Event

On Wednesday 11th March, 30 year 10 students attended a ‘Women in STEM’ event at Priestley College with Mrs Rowlands & Mrs Mawby in which they received a talk from a clinical scientist on the role of a consultant scientist and had a tour of the college campus. Students were given some brilliant advice direct from scientists and Priestley students on how to get an accredited degree in Biomedical science in order to become a scientist and discussed very important ethical decisions made around transplants; relating to the work on heart transplants recently covered in our Biology lessons. Students confidently asked questions and discovered more about college life as well as discovering potential future courses and careers they could strive for. Mrs Mawby even got involved in a demonstration on hand transplants!  Well done future scientists!

 

Year 11 Interviews

Year 11 should now have all received their interview dates and most students should have attended their interview . If you are worried that your child has not secured a college place for next year or you would like to discuss their next steps further, then please contact Mrs A Mawby . Students will be invited to an induction day with their chosen college in July. 

 

Year 10 Work Experience

Year 10 work experience forms were due in the week after half term . If your child has not got a placement they will be in school as normal for the week completing modern work experience .

 

Year 9 

Following on from Options Evening this week, our independent careers advisor Careers Connect will be available if you would like to find out any information regarding post 16 pathways before supporting your child in making their final choice . Please contact Mrs Brown or Mrs Mawby.

 

Successful Parent Forum and Year 9 Options Evening

We would like to thank all parents and carers who attended our recent Online Safety Parent Forum and Year 9 Options Evening. Both events provided valuable opportunities for families to engage with the school and support their child’s education.

The Parent Forum on Digital IT Safety, delivered by DC Andrew Kevan, was an informative and insightful session that helped parents better understand the online world young people navigate daily. The session provided practical advice on recognising online risks, promoting responsible technology use, and supporting children to stay safe online. We are grateful to DC Kevan for sharing his expertise and to the parents who attended and contributed to the discussion.  

Our Year 9 Options Evening was also a great success. The evening gave students and families the opportunity to explore the wide range of subjects available at Key Stage 4 and speak directly with subject leaders about course content, expectations, and future pathways. Choosing options is an important milestone, and it was fantastic to see so many families engaging in thoughtful conversations to support students in making informed decisions about their next steps.

 

Upcoming Event

📅 Year 10 Parents’ Evening – Monday 16th March 15:30–19:00

We look forward to welcoming parents and carers of Year 10 students to this important event. The evening will provide an opportunity to review student progress and discuss next steps as students move closer to their final GCSE year. Teachers will share feedback and guidance to help students continue to build strong foundations for success.

 

 

 

Young Carers Action Day

To celebrate Young Carers Action Day, our school was delighted to host a Young Carers Breakfast in recognition of the incredible dedication and resilience shown by our young carers. The event provided a relaxed and welcoming space for students to come together, enjoy breakfast, and take a moment to be celebrated for the important roles they play both at home and in school. It was a wonderful opportunity to thank them for their strength, kindness, and responsibility, while also reminding them that they are valued members of our school community who are always supported.

 

English Department

Notice for students attending the Macbeth Theatre Trip

The English department are delighted to offer our students the opportunity to watch a Storyhouse Original production of Macbeth at Storyhouse, Chester. This adaptation of Macbeth promises: “a bold new production bringing the original text to life with power, pace and atmosphere. This is the Macbeth you know and love: the witches, the prophecy, the blood-soaked ambition – all in a haunting, high-stakes world where fate and power collide.”

• The date of the trip is Thursday, 19^th March 2026
• Students are to meet with staff in R23 at the end of the day in full school uniform
• The coach will leave school at 15:30 and return to school at approximately 20:00
• The performance will start at 17:00 and will be followed by a Q&A with members of the cast and creative team
• We recommend your child brings a packed dinner with them alternatively, your child may bring snacks or purchase refreshments at the theatre
• This performance will include audio description, captions and will be BSL interpreted

 

Hospitality and Catering

Recently in Hospitality and Catering Year 10 students have made their own Artisan garlic bread. They started by making and shaping the bread. Whilst these were baking students learnt how to make their own butter from scratch. Then added fresh chopped garlic and herbs to make delicious garlic butter, which was painted onto their hot garlic bread. These are very complex skills and completed to a very high standard by the students. 

 

Sport and Performance

CALLING ALL YEAR 9 STUDENTS…. WHY OPT FOR SPORT SCIENCE AT KEY STAGE 4? 

• Understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of Sport Science  

• Develop learning and practical skills that can be applied to real-life contexts and work situations 

• Think creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically 

• Develop independence and confidence in using skills that are relevant to the Exercise, Physical Activity, Sport and Health sector and more widely 

• Prepare participants for physical activity in ways which keeps them safe as well as learning how to react should injuries happen 

• Learn how to conduct fitness tests, and how to design, implement and evaluate fitness training programmes 

• Develop knowledge of the world of sports nutrition to understand how what we eat can impact our performance in sport 

WHERE CAN THE COURSE TAKE ME? Further education: 

JOBS & CAREERS IN SPORT:  

• Exercise Physiologist: study how the body responds to physical activity and develop exercise programs to improve performance, fitness, and health. They may work with athletes, patients with chronic conditions, or in research settings. 

• Biomechanist: Biomechanists analyse the mechanics of human movement to optimise performance and prevent injuries. They may work in sports equipment design, rehabilitation, or research settings. 

• Sports Psychologist: Sports psychologists focus on the mental aspects of sports performance, helping athletes enhance their mindset, motivation, confidence, and resilience. They may work with individual athletes, teams, or sports organizations. 

• Nutritionist/Dietitian: Sports nutritionists provide guidance on diet and hydration to optimize athletic performance, enhance recovery, and prevent injuries. They work with athletes to develop personalized nutrition plans based on their goals and nutritional needs. 

• Strength and Conditioning Coach: Strength and conditioning coaches design and implement training programs to improve athletic performance, including strength, speed, agility, and endurance. They work closely with athletes to monitor progress and adjust training plans as needed. 

• Sports Medicine Physician: Sports medicine physicians diagnose and treat injuries related to sports and physical activity. They may work with athletes of all levels, providing medical care, rehabilitation, and injury prevention strategies. 

• Athletic Trainer: Athletic trainers specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating injuries in athletes. They may work in schools, colleges, professional sports teams, or clinical settings, providing immediate care and rehabilitation services. 

• Sports Scientist/Researcher: Sports scientists conduct research to advance our understanding of human performance, injury prevention, and training methodologies. They may work in academic institutions, sports organizations, or private research labs. 

• Sports Performance Analyst: Performance analysts use technology and data analysis to evaluate and improve athletic performance. They may analyze video footage, motion tracking data, and statistical information to provide insights to coaches and athletes. 

• Exercise Rehabilitation Specialist: These professionals focus on designing and implementing rehabilitation programs for athletes recovering from injuries. They help athletes regain strength, mobility, and function while minimising the risk of re-injury. 

• Sports Biostatistician: Sports biostatisticians analyze data related to sports science and sports medicine to identify patterns, trends, and correlations. They may work in research, academia, or sports organisations to inform decision-making and improve outcomes. 

 

Spring Spectacular is Coming Soon!

We are now just over two weeks away from our Spring Spectacular dance show, and excitement is building as everyone involved works incredibly hard to prepare for the big performance. Dancers have been rehearsing during lunch breaks and after school, showing fantastic dedication and energy.

With the show fast approaching, students should make sure they are checking the rehearsal schedule carefully so they know when their time slot is. It’s also important to keep practising on the days they are not scheduled to rehearse so that every performance shines on stage.

We can’t wait to share all the amazing routines with you — it’s going to be a fantastic show you won’t want to miss! 💃✨

Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased from reception. Please note that students and children must be accompanied by an adult.

    

 

 

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!