Dear Parents/Carers
Kindness, High Expectations and Working Together
One of the greatest strengths of our school community is the balance we strike between kindness, care and high expectations. At times, there can be a perception that secondary schools are driven solely by rules, systems and formalities. Whilst clear structures are important, we prefer to think of them as reasonable expectations that help create a safe, respectful and successful environment for all.
Despite the picture that a very small minority may occasionally try to paint, we are an understanding, caring and highly supportive staff team. We work tirelessly to help every young person thrive. However, students should be under no illusion that it is our responsibility to set and maintain the standards and expectations that allow everyone to learn and succeed.
Occasionally, there can be a misunderstanding that expectations are optional or a matter of personal choice. They are not. Whilst everyone is entitled to their opinion, our expectations are clear, reasonable and rooted in what is best for our students. We care deeply about every child in our school and everything we do is based on that principle. Sometimes that means providing support and encouragement; at other times it means having difficult conversations and applying consequences. Both are acts of care. Tough love matters just as much as praise and encouragement.
The conversations that take place at home about following instructions, showing respect, being punctual and taking responsibility are incredibly important. Education is a partnership between school and home, and together we take a holistic approach to developing young people who are successful, confident and well prepared for the future.
We have so much to celebrate. This week alone, we have received numerous compliments about our student ambassadors, those representing the school at various external events, and the fantastic contributions made through initiatives such as TCAT Parliament. These examples reflect what we see every day: young people who are talented, thoughtful and a credit to their families and our community. We should all be incredibly proud of them.
However, it would not be fair to allow the actions of a small minority to impact the learning, opportunities and experiences of the vast majority who consistently do the right thing. We are an inclusive school and we will always support those students who struggle to make the best choices. We will continue to work closely with families, provide guidance and go above and beyond wherever possible. What we will not do is allow poor choices to disrupt the learning of others.
It is important to stress that this concerns only a very small proportion of students, as is the case in most schools. Nevertheless, I believe in being transparent. I will never apologise for having high expectations, nor will I shy away from ensuring that every student receives the very best education and opportunities possible. Clarity is important, and our expectations are clear. They are not negotiable because they form part of our behaviour and learning culture, which exists to benefit every child.
If you ever have concerns, questions or require support, please contact us. I would especially encourage you to contact me directly if there is an issue that needs addressing. I will always do my best to listen, support and work towards a solution.
What is far less helpful is when inaccurate comments are shared on social media by individuals who have not contacted the school and do not have the full facts. Such actions rarely serve any positive purpose and can create unnecessary concern or misunderstanding. In almost every circumstance, if an issue is brought directly to us, we can work together to resolve it constructively.
We are incredibly fortunate to be part of a community that is overwhelmingly positive and supportive. The encouragement, trust and partnership we receive from families means a great deal to me and to our staff. Whilst I have highlighted the actions of a very small minority, I know that the overwhelming majority of our families are proud to be associated with the school, just as our students are proud to belong here.
I believe it is important to address issues openly when they arise, particularly when inaccurate information enters the public domain. If you ever see something that concerns you or that you believe may not be accurate, please direct it to me and I will deal with it appropriately.
Our school is a caring school. We are also a school with high expectations. Those two things are not opposites – they go hand in hand. We expect the best because we believe in our young people, and we will continue to support, challenge and encourage them to be the very best versions of themselves.
Thank you so much for your continued support – it is very much appreciated and I am lucky to work with you in our Boteler Family.
Beverley Scott-Herron
Headteacher
Year 11 Final Exams and Leaving Arrangements
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 11th June and end on Wednesday 1st 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.
The Importance of Healthy Sleep Routines
We would like to reiterate the importance of establishing and maintaining good sleep routines for secondary school-aged children.
Recently, we have noticed an increasing number of students arriving at school tired and lacking the energy needed to engage fully in their learning. Insufficient sleep can have a significant impact on a young person’s mood, emotional wellbeing, concentration and ability to function effectively throughout the school day. It can also make mornings more challenging, affecting attendance, punctuality and readiness to learn.
Adolescents require adequate, consistent sleep to support their physical health, cognitive development and academic success. Creating regular bedtime routines, limiting screen use before bed and ensuring sufficient sleep each night can make a substantial difference to students’ wellbeing and performance in school.
We greatly appreciate your support in helping your child establish healthy sleep habits. By working together, we can ensure that students arrive at school rested, ready to learn, and able to make the most of every opportunity.
Young Carers
Warrington Carers Hub, in collaboration with Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service, will be delivering Water Safety training for young carers of all ages on Thursday 30 July. Please see the poster below for further details.
Warrington Vale Royal Information
If your child has applied to WVR for their post 16 study, please read the IMPORTANT information below:
“Getting Ready for College” Form
Applicants who have received a conditional offer for September 2026 will soon be invited to complete their “Getting Ready for College” form. This will be sent via email on Monday 15th June 2026. At this stage, they will also have the opportunity to make their first payment to secure a place on one of our dedicated bus services. This is a mandatory part of the enrolment process and we encourage them to do this as soon as possible.
We recognise that this can feel like a daunting time for school leavers, and they may have questions about enrolment and what happens next. To support them, we have created a helpful FAQs guide, which you are very welcome to share with your Year 11 students and their parents. Find it here: wvr.ac.uk/joiningus
Transition Events and New Student Welcome Day 2026
There are a number of upcoming events for our applicants to get involved in which I would like to make you aware of.
Our annual New Student Welcome Day is happening on Wednesday 8th July. This is a very popular event which applicants must register for a ticket to attend. Applicants will be invited to book their ticket in the week commencing Monday 15th June 2026. Please remind them to save the date and attend!
We are also running a supportive series of Step Into College Sessions for students with EHCPs or additional support needs and their parents. These small sessions are great touch points for nervous applicants who may benefit from additional meet and greets ahead of enrolment. You can find out more about these sessions here: Preparing your child for college | Warrington & Vale Royal College
Year 10 Dates
Monday 30th June – Year 10 Post 16 information evening from 18:00
Wednesday 1st July – Year 10 Warrington Vale Royal taster day
Monday 6th July – Year 10 Priestley college taster day, 09:00 – 12:30
Alumni
We are only a small part of your Careers learning Journey and it has been fantastic to receive the following posters about some of our past students. We wish them luck in their future professions. Please get in touch if you are a past student and share your journey.
Transition
This week Year 6 have been welcomed into school and have taken part in subject taster sessions. We loved having Latchford St James CofE primary school in on Tuesday morning and Alderman Bolton Primary Academy on Wednesday. Both schools received a talk from the Deputy Headteacher on Teaching and Learning as well as taking part in a music lesson. Year 9 ambassadors were there to support them. On Friday we went to visit ST Elphin’s CE Primary Academy where the students took part in a drama and PE session as well as learning about teaching and learning at our school from the Deputy Headteacher.
On Thursday, we welcomed over 100 Year 6 students into school to take part in various subject sessions enabling them to start to make new friends as well as understanding the Ethos and Values of our school. We had over 30 Year 9 ambassadors supporting the event as well, answering questions and supporting the Year 6 students and parent/carers.
Uniform Donations
We are welcoming donations of the following items of uniform.
-skirts
-bags
-phone pouches
-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
Mock Exams
This week, our Year 10 students begin their mock examinations — an important milestone in preparing for their GCSEs next year. We are proud of the hard work, resilience, and dedication they have shown throughout the term. Mock exams provide a valuable opportunity to practise exam techniques, identify strengths, and build confidence in a supportive environment. We also recognise that this period can feel stressful for some students.
Students are encouraged to maintain healthy routines, take regular breaks, and speak to a trusted adult if they are feeling overwhelmed. We wish all Year 10 students the very best of luck and remind them that these mocks are a learning experience as much as an assessment.
Click on the link for further support: Exam Time & Exam Stress | Parents Guide To Support | Young Minds
Stay Water Aware: Safety Advice for Summer 2026
Please click on the following link for tips on Water Safety – Stay Water Aware
Physical Education
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!
