Dear Parents/Carers
Firstly, I would like to sincerely thank you for your continued support, understanding, and cooperation during this period of exceptionally warm weather. I have been incredibly grateful for the many kind emails and messages I have received regarding the adaptations we have put in place to support both students and staff.
As a school, we have had to make a number of decisions and adjustments in response to the high temperatures. Inevitably, whenever decisions are made, there will be differing opinions, and I completely respect that. However, please be assured that every decision I take is made with the very best interests, safety, and wellbeing of our young people at the heart of it.
I appreciate that some parents may feel that the school should have closed during this period of extreme heat. Whilst I understand these views, I also have a duty of care to safeguard and support all of our students and families. School closures can create additional challenges and anxieties for many parents and carers, and therefore any decision to close would only ever be considered in exceptional circumstances.
Throughout this period, we have worked hard to make the school environment as comfortable as possible. We have purchased over 20 additional fans for classrooms and communal areas, and drinking water is continually replenished throughout the day. Students have been encouraged to stay hydrated, and where appropriate, they have been permitted to use handheld fans. The vast majority of students bring water bottles to school, but where this has not been the case, we have ensured that students have access to water whenever needed.
I want to reassure all families that we take the health, safety, and welfare of both students and staff extremely seriously. I fully recognise that these temperatures are not ideal for learning or working, and I understand the concerns that naturally arise during periods of extreme weather. Please know that the situation is reviewed daily, and risk assessments are continually considered to ensure that appropriate measures remain in place.
I must also take this opportunity to praise our students. They have been absolutely fantastic throughout this challenging period. Their resilience, maturity, positivity, and adaptability have been remarkable. They have approached the situation with understanding and have continued to represent our school wonderfully. We are incredibly proud of them.
To help students stay comfortable, we have made ice lollies and other cold treats available on a daily basis, and staff have worked hard to provide additional support and flexibility wherever possible. Whilst we cannot control the weather, we are committed to doing everything we reasonably can to ensure students remain safe, comfortable, and supported.
Many parents have asked about uniform expectations. As the weather forecast indicates cooler temperatures over the coming days, we will be returning to full school uniform for students and normal business dress for staff from Monday. I continue to monitor the weather forecast closely and will, of course, communicate with families should circumstances change.
Thank you once again for your ongoing support, understanding, and trust. Working together as a school community allows us to navigate challenges such as these successfully. As always, our priority remains the safety, wellbeing, and success of every child in our care.
Beverley Scott-Herron
Headteacher
Year 10 Mock Exam Timetable
Your child’s mock examinations will 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 09:00. Students must arrive at school at 08.30 and go to form as usual. They will then be sent to the canteen at 08.40 for a briefing before being escorted to their exam venue.
Afternoon Exams: start at 13:00. 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 continue to be an early lunch for this week 12.15 – 13.00. However normal lunch times resume on Monday 29th June 2026 (13.15 – 14.00).
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.
Attendance Reminder – Let’s Make Every Day Count
We understand that the recent hot weather has been challenging and that some families have been concerned about their children’s wellbeing during the heatwave. We are also aware that a number of students have been feeling unwell recently and we appreciate parents making careful decisions when their child is genuinely too ill to attend school.
However, we would like to take this opportunity to remind families of the importance of regular school attendance. While health and wellbeing must always come first, every day in school matters. Even occasional absences can have an impact on a student’s learning, progress and sense of belonging within the school community.
Please be assured that we continue to take sensible measures to support students during periods of hot weather, including encouraging regular hydration, providing access to shaded areas and adapting activities where appropriate.
As we move through the final weeks of the summer term, we are encouraging a collective effort to maximise attendance wherever possible. Our whole-school attendance target remains 96% and many students are still well placed to achieve this. Every lesson counts, and strong attendance helps students maximise their learning, maintain positive relationships with staff and peers, and achieve their full potential.
A student with 95% attendance misses approximately 10 days of learning across the school year. Small improvements in attendance can have a significant impact on academic progress and wellbeing.
We ask parents and carers to continue supporting us by:
- Ensuring students attend school every day unless they are genuinely unwell.
- Avoiding appointments during the school day wherever possible.
- Encouraging punctuality and positive morning routines.
- Contacting school promptly if there are any barriers affecting attendance.
Together, we can ensure every student has the best possible opportunity to succeed.
Thank you for your continued support in helping us ensure that every student has the best possible opportunity to learn, achieve and finish the academic year strongly.
Mobile Phone Pouches – Parent Reminder
Our mobile phone pouch system continues to play an important role in supporting a calm, focused learning environment across the school. We are grateful for the support that parents and carers have shown since its introduction.
Recently, however, we have seen an increase in the number of damaged pouches being brought to school. Whilst some wear and tear is to be expected, a number of incidents appear to involve deliberate or malicious damage.
As communicated when the pouch system was introduced, students are responsible for looking after their pouch. Where damage is found to be deliberate, students will be required to pay for a replacement pouch.
We would appreciate parents and carers taking a few moments to check their child’s pouch at home. Please look for any signs of damage, including tears, cuts, broken fastenings or tampering with the locking mechanism. If you identify any issues, please contact your child’s Head of Year as soon as possible so that we can investigate and provide support where needed.
By working together, we can ensure the pouch system remains effective and fair for all students, helping to minimise distractions and maximise learning opportunities throughout the school day.
Thank you for your continued support.
End of Year Rewards Trips
We are also looking forward to our End of Year Rewards Trips on Tuesday 21st July 2026. These trips are a fantastic opportunity to celebrate students who have consistently demonstrated positive conduct and good attendance throughout the year.
Students can choose from:
- Chester Zoo
- Blackpool Pleasure Beach
- Trafford Centre (Year 10 only)
Please remember that places are subject to meeting the school’s behaviour and attendance expectations. Students with significant attendance concerns, behavioural concerns or outstanding school debts may not be eligible to attend.
Parents and carers are reminded that payments must be made through the iPay system by Friday 10th July 2026.
Holiday Activities and Food (HAF)
Bookings for Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) can now be made at www.warrington.gov.uk/haf Children on benefit related free school meals can attend for free, whilst many clubs offer paid places. Each eligible child can attend up to 16 sessions this summer. Sessions include family events, holiday clubs, and enrichment for 12-16 year olds (more added soon)
Email haf@warrington.gov.uk for more information.
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.
Double Accreditation Success for Ty’n-y-Felin Outdoor Education Centre
The Challenge Academy Trust (TCAT) is pleased to share that its outdoor education centre, Ty’n-y-Felin, has achieved two nationally recognised accreditations – the Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) Quality Badge and the Adventure Mark. These awards recognise high-quality provision, strong safety standards, and excellent outdoor learning experiences.
Set in a beautiful location near Rhoscolyn on Anglesey, Ty’n-y-Felin offers a wide range of activities designed to challenge and inspire young people. These include team-building games, problem-solving activities, orienteering, astronomy, archery, campfires, beach art and watersports.
The centre welcomes schools, colleges, and youth groups, making it an excellent venue for residential visits, reward trips, and curriculum-linked learning experiences. Owned by Lymm School and now leased to The Challenge Academy Trust (TCAT), Ty’n-y-Felin has benefited from significant investment and development. Many TCAT students have already enjoyed visits to the centre, and it is the ambition of the trust for every child to have the opportunity to experience Ty’n-y-felin at some stage during their time at a TCAT school.
These accreditations reflect TCAT’s commitment to providing safe, high-quality outdoor education that helps young people build confidence, resilience and independence.
The LotC Quality Badge also gives reassurance to schools and parents, confirming that the centre meets nationally recognised standards for safety, learning and organisation.
Joe Obiro, Centre Manager at Ty’n-y-Felin, said:
“We are incredibly proud to receive both the LOtC Quality Badge and Adventure Mark. This recognition reflects the dedication of our team to providing safe, high-quality and inspiring experiences for every young person who visits. Outdoor learning plays a vital role in building confidence and creating lasting memories, and these accreditations show our commitment to the highest standards.”
TCAT looks forward to welcoming more schools and groups to Ty’n-y-Felin and continuing to provide memorable outdoor learning opportunities.
For further information, please visit Tyn Y Felin Outdoor Education Centre For bookings and enquiries contact
l.shawcross@tcat.uk.com
Personal Development assemblies this week:
Year 7 had an assembly with Paula Jones JP. Paula is a Justice of the Peace, a local magistrate. She discussed the law, how the court room works and some of the cases she has dealt with locally. A really informative and interesting assembly.
Year 8 had their assembly on AI and Fake News this week, exploring ways to see how to check if news they are seeing is real or AI. They also discussed the reasons behind banning social media for U16’s.
Our Ambassadors have been busy supporting new staff interviews by leading on the student panel, touring new staff around school and feeding back to the Headteacher as part of student voice.
Year 9 were visited by the WAYS team – the drugs and alcohol team – from WBC who talked about the support available to all young people and the dangers of addiction and drugs.
Year 10 – Upcoming Events
Tuesday 30th June – Post 16 Parents forum starting at 18:00
Wednesday 1st July WVR trip – Students should wear school uniform unless on emergency services/sport taster sessions. Students taking part in the bricklaying and motor vehicle sessions should wear PE kit or uniform with trainers but may get dirty.
Monday 6th July – 92 students attending this trip need to meet at Priestley College at 9:00 in full school uniform. Students will be walking back to school with staff at midday.
Alumni Work Experience
This week we welcomed two of our Boteler family back in to complete their Work Experience. Bati is currently studying at Carmel College and Lok is at Winstanley College. They have been supporting in school and gaining vital workplace knowledge for their future careers.
Strictly Come Dancing – Fundraiser Hampers
Raffle tickets for hampers are being sold in school to raise funds for Mrs Scott-Herron’s Strictly St. Rocco’s fundraiser. The fundraising committee will be selling tickets at break and lunchtimes in the canteen. Tickets are 20p each (£1 for a strip). See Mrs Scott-Herron’s fundraising page for more details: https://stroccoshospice.enthuse.com/pf/beverley-scott-herron
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.
Year 10 Parent Forum – Exploring Post-16 Options
A reminder that our final Parent Forum of the year will take place on Tuesday 30th June from 18:00–19:30 in the Main Hall.
This event is specifically for Year 10 students and their parents/carers and will focus on post-16 pathways, including college courses, sixth form options and apprenticeships. Representatives from local colleges will be joining us to provide information and answer questions, helping families make informed decisions about future education and training opportunities.
Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided, and students are encouraged to attend alongside their parents/carers.
If you have not already done so, please use the attendance link provided by the school to confirm your place.
Warrington Wellbeing Festival
Looking for a family day out this July? The Warrington Wellbeing Festival is coming to The Engine Rooms at Birchwood Park on Saturday 11th July (10am – 4pm). With over 60 exhibitors, 50+ live classes, live music, and dedicated kids & teens arenas, there is something for everyone. Best of all, under-17s get in completely free! Find out more and grab tickets at https://linktr.ee/warringtonwellfest
Summer Safety
The Young People’s Public Health Team has released a new Summer Safety video, providing important guidance for young people on how to stay safe during the holidays. The video covers key safety concerns including:
- Abandoned buildings
- Alcohol and substance use
- Water safety
These issues are becoming an increasingly worrying concern within our community, and we are committed to ensuring that both parent carers and young people have access to the information and support they need to stay safe.
We encourage all families to take a few minutes to watch the video together and discuss the important messages it contains. By increasing awareness and understanding of these risks, we can work together to help keep our young people safe throughout the summer.
To watch the video click the link: https://vimeo.com/1109311084?fl=pl&fe=sh
Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service – Water safety
Stay Water Aware: Safety Advice for Summer 2026
Please click on the following link for tips on Water Safety – Stay Water Aware
