Dear Parents/Carers

I hope you and your family had a restful and enjoyable half term break.

Firstly, I would like to extend a very warm welcome back to all of our students. It has been wonderful to see the school full of energy, enthusiasm, and smiling faces once again. The positive start that students have made to the new half term has been a pleasure to witness, and staff have thoroughly enjoyed welcoming them back into lessons and routines.

As we begin what promises to be a busy and exciting period, I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the importance of attendance and punctuality. These are two of the most significant factors in ensuring that young people achieve their full potential, both academically and personally.

We understand that family life can be busy and that many parents carefully consider when to take holidays. We also recognise that local primary schools often have a two-week half term break and that holidays can sometimes be more affordable during these periods. Whilst we are sympathetic to these circumstances, it is important to acknowledge the significant impact that absence from school can have on a child’s learning and progress and therefore we will not authorise these absences.

Every lesson matters. Learning is carefully sequenced, with knowledge and skills building upon one another over time. When students miss lessons, they miss not only the content being taught on that day but also valuable opportunities for discussion, collaboration, practical experiences, and feedback from teachers. Even short periods of absence can make it more difficult for students to maintain momentum and confidence in their learning and the struggle to catch up with the gaps in knowledge, which therefore puts them at a disadvantage.

Excellent attendance also helps young people develop important life skills such as commitment, resilience, responsibility, and self-discipline. These qualities will serve them well not only throughout their education but also in future employment and adult life.

Alongside attendance, punctuality is equally important. Arriving at school and lessons on time helps students start the day positively, prepared and ready to learn. Being punctual demonstrates respect for others, reduces anxiety, and ensures that students do not miss key instructions or learning activities at the start of lessons.

In the Boteler Family, we place great emphasis on “getting the basics right.” Attendance, punctuality, correct equipment, readiness to learn, and a positive attitude are the foundations upon which success is built. These habits help to develop the mindset needed for achievement and create the strong platform from which students can flourish both academically and socially.

As we move through this term, we have a number of important priorities and transition points to support across the school community.

For our older students in Key Stage 4, there is an increasing focus on preparing for the next stage of their educational journey. Whether that pathway leads to college, an apprenticeship, training, or employment, we are committed to ensuring that every young person receives the guidance, support, and opportunities they need to make informed and ambitious decisions about their future.

For students moving from Key Stage 3 into Key Stage 4, the options process marks an exciting and important stage in their education. Choosing subjects that align with interests, strengths, and aspirations is a significant milestone, and we will continue to work closely with students and families to ensure that these decisions are well-informed and appropriate.

At the same time, we are already preparing to welcome our newest recruits as they make the transition from Key Stage 2 into Key Stage 3. Starting secondary school is a major step for both students and families. We are committed to making this process as smooth, positive, and reassuring as possible, ensuring that every student feels safe, confident, and excited about joining our school community.

Whilst transitions can sometimes feel daunting, they also represent opportunities for growth, independence, and new experiences. We firmly believe that every young person should be supported as an individual throughout these periods of change. Our commitment is to provide the highest quality bespoke care, guidance, and encouragement to ensure that all students are able to thrive.

I would also like to take this opportunity to recognise the exceptional work of Mrs Mawby, the Transition, SEND, Safeguarding and Pastoral Teams. They do a fantastic job in supporting students and families through these important transition stages, ensuring that our young people are well-equipped, confident, and prepared for whatever the next chapter of their educational journey may bring. Their dedication, expertise, and care make a tremendous difference to the lives of our students.

As always, we value the strong partnership that exists between home and school. The success of our students is built upon us working together with shared expectations, open communication, and mutual support.

Should you have any concerns, questions, or worries – whether these relate to attendance, transition, wellbeing, academic progress, or any other aspect of school life – please do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to help and will always do our very best to support you and your child.

I would also like to ask for your support in speaking to your children about the dangers associated with open water. Recent news reports have highlighted a number of tragic incidents involving young people who have lost their lives whilst swimming in rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and other open-water locations during periods of hot weather. Sadly, these tragedies serve as a stark reminder that water can be extremely dangerous, even for those who consider themselves strong and confident swimmers.

For our school community, this message carries particular significance. Many of us still remember the heart-breaking loss of our former student, Temi, in 2009. His memory remains with us, and his story reminds us that accidents can happen quickly and unexpectedly.

Please take the time to speak with your child about making safe choices around water, avoiding unsupervised swimming, and understanding the risks posed by currents, sudden changes in depth, cold-water shock, and hidden hazards beneath the surface. A simple conversation at home could make a life-saving difference.

Thank you for your continued support. Together, we can ensure that every student makes the most of the opportunities ahead and achieves the success they deserve.

I look forward to an exciting, productive, and successful half term.

Beverley Scott-Herron

Headteacher

Year 11 Final Exams and Leaving Arrangements

On Friday 12th June, all students will be sitting their Science exam at 09.00. Following this exam and break time, Science Revision sessions will be held for all students during period 3 and Period 4 in preparation for the Science exam on Monday morning. Students who study Hospitality have a revision session during period 3 in preparation for the Hospitality exam that starts at 13.00. If students do not study Hospitality, they are free to leave school after the Period 4 Science Revision lesson.

The last main exam that all students sit is the Science exam on Monday 15th June at 09.00. Only students still to sit remaining exams in GCSE Spanish or Further Maths are required to attend revision lessons as scheduled for Period 3 following the Science exam.

All students are invited to attend our Celebration Breakfast at 09.00 on Wednesday 17th June in The Orangery and then the Leavers’ Service at 09.45 in the School Hall. This provides the final opportunity for students to join together as a year group.

At the Leavers’ Service, students must wear either their full school uniform or a slightly modified uniform. The modification is that students can wear a plain black top under their shirt and have their shirt unbuttoned so it can be signed. If a student decides to wear a plain black top under their shirt, then a tie is not needed. If the young person would like to wear a skirt, then please can they wear black knee socks or black tights. If a young person is wearing trousers, then please can they just wear their school trousers. School shoes are to be worn please – for the very last time! There will be time for the students to have their shirts signed – which they love. However, please remind students that any language or symbols on the shirts must be appropriate. If there is anything deemed inappropriate, then the student will have to change and or will not be allowed to take part in the celebration.

Year 10 Mock Exam Timetable

Your child’s mock examinations start on Thursday 11^th June and end on Wednesday 1^st July 2026.  Click here for exam timetable. A personalised timetable showing the room and seat number will be sent out nearer the time.

The JCQ Information for Candidates Written Exams outline the rules for students taking exams and these are very important.  To access these please click on this link https://www.boteler.org.uk/exam-policies/

Morning Exams: start at 9am.  Students must arrive at school at 8.30am and go to form as usual.  They will then be sent to the canteen at 8.40am for a briefing before being escorted to their exam venue.

Afternoon Exams: start at 1pm. Students must wait in the canteen at the end of lunch, where they will be briefed before being escorted to the exam venue.

Please note it will be an early lunch for the mock exams (12.15pm – 13.00pm).

All exams will be conducted under national exam style conditions and will be supervised by external invigilators.  This is to give them the best preparation in readiness for the actual exams in summer 2027.

We must remind you how important these mock exams are and they should complete as much revision as possible. The purpose of these mocks is to enable the school to have a set of data showing their current ‘working at’ grade as they finish in Year 10.  This grade in each subject will then enable us to make any adjustments to class sets and/ or provide any suitable interventions to improve attainment and progress as soon as they start in Year 11 in September.

They MUST bring all the necessary equipment required (including a scientific calculator) for each subject. Full uniform must be worn for the exams.

KS3 WA2 Internal Assessments: 8th June – 19th June 2026

Students will be sitting their final Working At (WA) assessment of this academic year in all of their subjects during assessment fortnight (Monday 8th June – Friday 19th June 2026). This may take the form of a test or an assessed piece of writing/practical piece of work.

Students will be provided with revision lists giving details of the topics and content that will be tested. We are also encouraging students to take their workbooks home to revise. It is important that students look after their workbooks and check they have the correct books that are needed for the following day when packing their bags for school each evening. The expectation is that students spend time each evening preparing for the assessments. Constant revision and practice is the surest way to fully embed skills and knowledge required to secure excellent achievement at KS4.

All tests will be classroom based and undertaken under exam conditions. It is important that students are used to working in this environment, so they are fully prepared for their examinations in Year 11. Students are expected to be fully prepared for all assessments with the correct equipment which includes:

• Pen
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Eraser
• Pencil sharpener
• Pencil case
• Scientific calculator

Assessment Timetable
We ask parents and carers to spend time reviewing the attached assessment timetable with their child. This year, the timetable shows the exact day and lesson period for each assessment for all subjects, helping students to plan their preparation more effectively. Please note that Design and Technology will not appear on the timetable, as students follow a carousel model and complete their assessments at the end of each term. PE is also not included because students are assessed more frequently—twice each half term. Students will receive a hard copy of their personalised timetable during morning registration, where they will be given time to highlight when each assessment takes place, supported by their form tutors. It is important that students know exactly when each assessment is scheduled so they can prepare appropriately and feel confident in the weeks ahead.

Timetables can be accessed vis the links below.

YEAR 9 TIMETABLE KS3 Assessments JUNE 2026 PDF.pdf

YEAR 8 TIMETABLE KS3 Assessments JUNE 2026 PDF.pdf

YEAR 7 TIMETABLE KS3 Assessments JUNE 2026 PDF.pdf

Students’ assessment scores and progress judgements will be included in the WA Assessment Report, which will be emailed to all parents on Friday 10th July.

If you have any concerns or questions about any matters related to how your child’s progress is tracked and reported, please don’t hesitate to contact me on jkoltan@boteler.org.uk or your child’s Class Teacher.

Final Half Term Push: Every Day Matters

This week, students across Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 took part in Collective Worship focused on the importance of making the most of the final weeks of the academic year.

Whilst the message was tailored to each year group’s stage in their educational journey, the central theme remained the same: the future depends on what we do today.

For Year 7, students were encouraged to reflect on how quickly their first year of secondary school has passed. As they prepare to move into Year 8, they were challenged to think carefully about the habits they are developing now and how these habits will support future success.

Year 8 and 9 students were reminded that Year 9 and the final year of Key Stage 3 are now just around the corner and how Year 9 will soon embark upon their options. With important decisions and opportunities ahead, they were encouraged to take ownership of their learning and recognise that consistent effort now will place them in the strongest possible position moving forward.

For Year 10, the message was particularly significant. With Year 11 soon leaving, they will become the oldest students in the school. Students were encouraged to recognise the responsibility that comes with this position and the importance of beginning their GCSE preparation now rather than waiting until it feels urgent.

Across all year groups, students were asked to reflect honestly on their attendance, punctuality, effort, homework, revision and engagement in lessons. They were reminded that success is rarely built through dramatic moments; it is built through small positive choices made consistently over time.

Every day, the vast majority of our students arrive on time, bring the correct equipment, engage positively in lessons, complete their homework and demonstrate the values that make our school such a special community. Their consistency often goes unnoticed because they make the right choices so routinely. These students deserve enormous credit for the standards they set and the example they provide for others.

The messages also highlighted the importance of upcoming assessments. For Years 7, 8 and 9 Working At Assessments (WA2s) provide an important opportunity to identify strengths, areas for development and the effectiveness of revision strategies. For Year 10, forthcoming mock examinations will provide valuable insight into current performance as they prepare for Year 11.

These assessments are not simply about grades. They are about understanding where students currently are in their learning journey. Accurate assessment information allows students and teachers to identify what has been secured, what requires further development and what needs to be prioritised next. This can only happen when students give their very best effort and approach assessments with the seriousness they deserve.

As we enter the final half term, there remains so much to look forward to, including Sports Day, Awards Evenings, Rewards Trips, college visits and a range of enrichment opportunities. However, before those events arrive, there is still important work to be done.

We encourage every student to finish the year strongly. Attend every lesson ready to learn. Complete every piece of homework with care. Revise consistently. Ask for help when needed. Most importantly, continue making the positive choices that lead to success.

A huge thank you to the many students who already demonstrate these standards every day. Your commitment, resilience and effort do not go unnoticed.

Let’s continue to push forward together and make this final half term our strongest yet.

Prayer Space

Throughout the exam period, Mike (School Chaplain) and Kim (Youth for Christ) will be running a quiet prayer and reflection space on Tuesday and Thursday lunchtimes in Room 19.

This is welcome to all but specifically aimed at Year 11s during their exams.

Visit to Keele University

This week we took students from the High Achievers programme in Year 8 and Year 10 to Keele University to experience life at University. Year 8 took part in From Seaweed to Sensors: The Chemistry of Food security session, and Year 10 took part in a Human Biology and Psychology session, both led by senior academics at the university. Students then had a rapid revision session and a ‘What is university?’ quiz.

We were immensely proud of all our students throughout the trip and would like to thank Higher Horizons for putting the event on and Priestley College for delivering the ROAR (High Achievers) programme at school.

Post 16 Information Evening

On Tuesday 30^th June we will be holding our Post 16 information evening for all Year 10 students and their parent/carers. The event will start at 18:00 and finish around 19:30. It is essential that you attend this event so you as a parent/carer understand your child’s next steps and the application process. We will be joined on the evening by Cronton and Riverside College, Priestley College and Warrington Vale Royal College.

Please complete the form here:  Parent Forum Attendance Confirmation: Next Steps – Exploring Post-16 Options  – Fill in form

Year 10 WVR Visit 

All Year 10 students will be going to Warrington Vale Royal On July 1^st for the day. Please see the information letter attached here: WVR Visit Year 10 July 2026

Year 10 Priestley College Visit

Students who wish to go to visit Priestley will have the opportunity to do so on Monday 6^th July. We are just waiting for final details regarding this trip.

Myerscough College

Boteler Wider Curriculum

Please don’t forget to support your child in attending a Boteler Wider Curricular club – days and times of the club can be found here:

Wider Curriculum – Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School

Uniform Donations

We are welcoming donations of the following items of uniform. 

-skirts

-bags

-blazers

-ties

-PE Kit items

–barely worn school shoes

If you have any items you can donate, please could they be dropped off in the box outside the main reception. Please can we ask that any donated items be clean.

Final Parent Forum of the Year – Exploring Post-16 Options

We are pleased to invite parents and carers of Year 10 students to our final Parent Forum of the year, which will take place on Tuesday 30th June from 18:00 – 19:30 in the Main Hall.

This informative session will focus on your child’s post-16 options, and students are more than welcome to attend alongside parents and carers. The evening will provide practical guidance about the next steps students need to take from September when applying for college places, sixth form opportunities and apprenticeships.

We are also delighted to welcome representatives from Priestley College, Warrington & Vale Royal College, and Cronton and Riverside College, who will provide valuable insights into the courses, qualifications and levels they offer. This will help families make informed decisions about future pathways and opportunities.

Please note that the earlier students apply to college in September, the better their chances of securing a place on their preferred course.

Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided during the evening.

To help us prepare for the event, please click on the link below to confirm your attendance:

Parent Forum Attendance Confirmation: Next Steps – Exploring Post-16 Options  – Fill in form

End of Year Rewards Trips – Tuesday 21st July 2026

As we approach the end of the academic year, we are pleased to share our plans for the End of Year Rewards Trips, which are scheduled to take place on Tuesday 21st July 2026.

These trips are designed to recognise and reward students who have demonstrated consistently positive conduct and maintained good attendance throughout the year. The trips are part of our rewards programme, and the school is fully funding transport costs to help keep costs as low as possible for families.

The available trips are:

• Chester Zoo – £14.00 – Open to all year groups
• Blackpool Pleasure Beach – £25.00 – Open to all year groups
• The Trafford Centre – £1.00 – Year 10 students only

Please note that for the Trafford Centre trip, there is an understanding from parents/carers that students will be able to navigate the Trafford Centre responsibly with their friends, with clearly outlined meeting points and check-ins with staff throughout the day.

Please be reminded that attendance on the trips is subject to meeting the school’s behaviour and attendance criteria. Refunds will be made should payment have been received and a student later becomes ineligible to attend due to concerns regarding conduct or attendance. Students with outstanding debts to school, including green card lunch balances or previous trip payments, will also not be permitted to attend.

To pay for the visits, payment should be made via the iPay online payment system by Friday 10th July 2026. Please visit the school website or use the following link:

https://www.ipayimpact.co.uk

Once logged in, please select:
School Shop → School Trips → Appropriate Trip

The price includes transport and entrance fees where applicable. It is at parents/carers’ discretion how much spending money their child brings. Please note that payment can only be made via iPay.

If you wish to use your child’s Free School Meals voucher to contribute towards the trip cost, please indicate this by selecting the appropriate option when completing the payment process.

Should you have any questions or issues regarding the trip or payment, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

Stay Water Aware: Safety Advice for Summer 2026

Please click on the following link for tips on Water Safety – Stay Water Aware 

Library Trip to the Storyhouse Theatre in Chester

The Library took a group of students to celebrate the Cheshire Schools Book Awards for 2026. Students listened to a range of talks by award-nominated authors, and were then able to meet these authors to ask questions and have their books signed. Students were a credit to the school, and while it was a long day, it was a wonderful celebration of reading and writing in a fabulous venue. We’re looking forward to next year already!

Hospitality & Catering

In Hospitality and Catering, Year 10 students have learnt how to make Flaky Pastry from scratch. This is a complex skill which involves ‘laminating’ butter in a dough. Many professional chef’s take years to perfect this. They then made the pastry into delicious, baked apple turnovers.

PE kit and studded boots donations

Parents and carers

We are kindly asking for donations of any old or unused PE kit that your child no longer requires or does not fit into. We also kindly request any studded boots that are surplus to requirement. This is mainly aimed at Year 11 students due to leaving school, but any donations are very much appreciated.

These items are incredibly valuable to our PE department, as we use them as spare kit for students who may forget their equipment or need additional support to take part in lessons and fixtures. Having spare kit available helps ensure that every student can participate comfortably and confidently in PE. Please see list below of items the PE department would make use of:

• Blue PE tops
• Shorts
• Skorts
• Leggings
• ¼ zip tops
• Studded boots
• Trainers

Please can any donations be handed into the PE department or to any member of our Pastoral team. Thank you for your support.

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!