Dear Parents and Carers
I hope you are well. I cannot believe we have reached the end of a very successful academic year already and I to take this opportunity to thank you for all your kindness and support as it is very much appreciated. I really value the wonderful relationship I have with you and how we work collaboratively in the best interests of your child. However, this would not be a Head’s Herald with out me sharing some recent success but also sharing with you a few key reminders as we head off for the summer break.
We started the week off with the Lockdown drill, which was executed so well, and I was incredibly proud of the staff and the students for how they conducted themselves. We have now made a few tweaks to the procedure following this drill and we will implement these when we do a further practice in the new academic year. It is essential that we have practice drills for potential critical incidents, so everyone knows what to do. I appreciate that the scenarios may be frightening but when it comes to keeping the young people and staff safe, they are non-negotiable.
We had our Awards Evening on Thursday which was fantastic, and it was so lovely to recognise the achievements of so many young people. Our guest speaker was Rachel Hughes who is Managing Director and Founder of BuildMe Consultancy, and is passionate about fostering personal growth, leadership, and inclusivity.
We are very much looking forward to Rewards Day on Monday and have visits going to Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Chester Zoo and the Trafford Centre, plus activities back at school. I am very excited as I am going to Blackpool, and as long as I get on Valhalla, I will be very happy. Just a reminder for those students who are in non-uniform that crop tops, cycling shorts and very short shorts are not permitted.
With regards to reminders for the new academic year, please just remember to check Arbor for messages and emails. Just a polite reminder that students need to have FULL school uniform and PE kit for the start of term and that school skirts MUST be knee length or just above. I will be the final decision on whether they are suitable so if you are unsure, please contact me. School shoes need to be able to be polished and not have any sports logos on at all. Boots are not permitted. No jewellery is permitted, so if any piercings are planned please ensure they are done at the start of the summer holidays. I am sorry for the repeated messages but I believe clear communications are crucial so we all know the expectations. I apologise that there has been a delay on ties but these should arrive any day now.
With regard to the mobile phone pouches, they are on order, so we are just awaiting delivery, and we are hoping to have everything up and running for the first day back. However, I will keep you updated. The student assemblies went very well and we had the Parent information evening too which was successful, therefore we are hopeful of a smooth transition.
Students will all be expected to be in full uniform, have their bag, pencil case, scientific calculator and reading book with them on the first day back on Thursday 4th September at 08:20.
On the last day – Tuesday 22nd July, we will finish at lunchtime 13:15. Those who require a FSM should have contacted us already. If you are worried about this then please contact us asap. Regarding the directive for Tuesday in terms of uniform, I have decided because of the continued humidity that it may be in the best interests of everyone if we have a non-uniform day. The students are in non-uniform on Monday anyway and with Tuesday being a shorter school day, I think it will help and support attendance. I am sure the students will be delighted but also it helps staff too as they do not have to wear business dress. However, cycling shorts, very short shorts/skirts or crop tops will not be permitted and if a student breaks these rules they will be isolated until appropriate clothes can be brought into school.
Please ensure that you have a lovely summer break, and if you need anything please just drop me an email. I am however, going on holiday, so if I do not reply please be understanding and patient but I will endeavour to get back to you as soon as is convenient.
Please take care, stay safe and I looking forward to seeing you all very soon.
Beverley Scott-Herron
Headteacher
A Night to Remember – Celebrating Excellence at Our Awards Evening
On Wednesday 16th July, the School Hall at Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School was filled to the rafters with pride, applause, and celebration as we gathered for our annual Awards Evening—an event that continues to be one of the highlights of our school calendar.
With nearly every student award winner present, and a full house of proud families, friends, and staff, the atmosphere was fantastic. The evening recognised the outstanding students who have excelled across all areas of school life—whether for effort, progress, achievement, leadership, or exceptional talent.
From the moment guests arrived, they were welcomed within style. For the first time, our students—led brilliantly by Mrs Callaway—hosted a reception with canapés and refreshments in The Orangery, showcasing the initiative and creativity we value so highly at school. This lovely addition to the evening was complemented by a stunning piano performance from Year 10 student Lexi Whyte, creating a truly special start to the celebration.
The evening opened with a brilliant performance by Vox One, setting the tone for a night that reminded us all of what makes our school community so special. Year 10 Music winner, Alex Jones, also sang beautifully as we had a short break from handing out the trophies. As I said in my opening speech, “These evenings matter. They remind us all—students, families, and staff alike—why we do what we do.”
All too often in life and in school, we focus on what goes wrong—the one mistake, the missed opportunity. But Awards Evening turns the spotlight onto what truly matters: our students’ resilience, commitment, kindness, and the many small victories that lead to big success. The awards presented were not just trophies and medals, but symbols of hard work, growth, and determination.
One of the most moving moments of the night is always seeing the expressions on the faces of parents and carers as their child walks across the stage. It’s a moment of pride and recognition that reminds us all of the transformative power of education and belief.
This year, we added something new—written commendations from staff handed to each award winner. These personal messages captured exactly why each student was selected, adding depth and meaning to every award received.
To every student who walked across that stage: congratulations. You earned it.
To everyone else: we hope this night motivates you to dream big and give your best, every single day.
Here’s to another year of High Expectations, High Aspirations, and High Standards at Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School
We can’t wait to do it all again next year.
Holiday Activities and Food Programme
Warrington Borough Council are excited to announce that bookings for the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme are now open! Places can be reserved by visiting www.warrington.gov.uk/haf.
A variety of engaging activities are available for school-aged children (ages 4–16), including dance, multi-sports, skating, arts, and enrichment days. Additional programmes tailored specifically for older children will be added soon.
Eligible children can book up to 16 sessions throughout the summer holidays. The HAF programme is primarily for children who receive benefit-related free school meals. However, a limited number of places are available for families under social care, Early Help and those that have an EHCP. These places will be allocated on a case-by-case basis.
For further details, please contact us at haf@warrington.gov.uk.
Year 10
Have a good rest over the summer and remember to continue researching your college courses.
Uniform Donations
Our PE department is welcoming donations of PE kit. If you have any items you can donate, please could they be dropped off at the PE department or brought to the main reception.
In addition to PE kit, we are welcoming donations of the following items of uniform.
-skirts
-bags
-blazers
-ties
–barely worn school shoes
These can be left in the box outside the main reception.
Please can we ask that any donated items be clean.
As we come to the end of a successful and rewarding school year, we want to take a moment to thank all our parents and carers for your ongoing support.
This year, we’ve proudly delivered six Parent Forums, each tailored to give you meaningful insight into your child’s school experience. These included:
KS4 Exam Preparation: equipping parents with strategies to support students through their GCSEs.
Understanding the Curriculum: helping families understand what their child is learning and how progress is assessed.
Arbor and SAM Learning Homework Support: Offering practical support on how to use our school platforms to monitor homework, track progress and access learning resources at home.
Digital IT Safety: supporting safe and responsible use of technology and social media.
Health and Wellbeing: with practical advice on how to support your child’s emotional and physical health.
Post-16 Options: helping families make informed choices about the next steps after Year 11.
We also held a successful EAL Coffee Morning, providing a space for families with English as an additional language to connect and receive support. The KS3 Book Fair was another highlight, encouraging a love of reading and giving students the chance to choose exciting new books to enjoy at home.
How You Can Support Your Child This Summer
While summer is a time for rest and recharging, it also provides a valuable opportunity to maintain momentum and keep your child motivated and prepared for the year ahead. Here are some practical ways to support your child over the holidays:
- Keep a Simple Routine – Maintaining a healthy structure for sleep, meals and screen time can help reduce anxiety when term resumes in September.
- Encourage Daily Reading – Reading for pleasure, whether it’s novels, comics, or online articles keeps literacy skills sharp and builds imagination.
- Keep Learning Engaging – Explore free educational apps, documentaries, or local activities. Creative writing, puzzles, or even baking can build problem solving and communication skills.
- Have Open Conversations – Talk to your child about the year ahead. Encourage them to share what they’re excited about and what they’re worried about. Listening without judgment can really help.
- Reflect and Set Gentle Goals – Celebrate the progress they’ve made this year and set one or two personal goals for the new term. Small steps can lead to big achievements.
This week as part of Collective Worship, the Worship Ambassadors have been leading services on the theme of spirituality. We have discussed what it means to be a spiritual person, highlighting that our flaws and mistakes make us human, but the light of Christ makes us perfect.
This reminds us to live our lives supporting others and asking for help from our friends. It is easier to show care and kindness to the people we like, but how can we be a friend to everyone?
Spiritual Pause: How can we accept the faults of others? How can we be a friend to others? How do we expect others to show friendship to us? Think about the impact of a kind word and a friendly smile and try and make a difference to someone else’s day.
Confirmation: On Sunday 6th July we supported eleven of our students in receiving the sacrament of Confirmation at St. James’ Church, led by Bishop Mark. It was a wonderful celebration and we are very proud of them all!
KRAKOW, Poland:
36 students have gone to Krakow, Poland on an educational visit to the city, the Wieliczka Salt Mines and Auschwitz. We hope learning about the horrors of the past will influence how they treat others for better in the future.
As the school year wraps up, we want to encourage all our students to take this summer break as a valuable time to rest and focus on their wellbeing. It’s important to balance relaxation with activities that support mental health—like staying active, maintaining a regular sleep routine, and staying connected with friends and family. To our parents and caregivers, your support is crucial during this time: encourage open conversations about how your child is feeling, help them establish healthy habits, and create a positive environment where they feel safe to share. Together, we can ensure our young people return refreshed and ready for the year ahead. Wishing everyone a peaceful and rejuvenating summer!
For helpful support numbers and resources to guide you through the summer, please click here for our Summer Wellbeing Newsletter:
Scholastic Book Fair!
The book fair is now over! Thank you so much to parents/carers for visiting and supporting your children and their love of reading. Thanks to the engagement of parents/carers and our incredible young people, your purchases have raised a whopping £798 in book vouchers for our school that will be used towards lesson and library resources and book rewards for our students in the coming academic year. We truly are a school of readers and can’t wait to welcome the book fair back next year!
Food Technology
Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School Breaks Guinness World Record
The kitchen heat was on — and it paid off. Jamie Oliver and thousands of participants from around the world have officially claimed a Guinness World Records™ title, setting a new benchmark in culinary collaboration.
The record-breaking event, which saw schools, students, and food lovers take part in the largest simultaneous cooking lesson, was powered by the 10 Skills Programme — a global initiative designed to build confidence and essential skills in young cooks.
Among the proud participants was Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School, where students rolled up their sleeves and joined the worldwide challenge. Their enthusiasm and teamwork contributed to an unforgettable moment of history-making on a global scale.
Mrs Callaway, Hospitality and Catering Lead at Sir Thomas Boteler, said:
“This was an amazing opportunity for our students to be part of something truly global. It wasn’t just about cooking — it was about teamwork, confidence, and the joy of learning new skills. We are so proud of our students for taking part in this record-breaking challenge.”
Head Teacher Beverley Scott-Heron added:
“We are incredibly proud of the way our students engaged with this unique experience. It demonstrates the importance of practical learning and how food education can inspire creativity, confidence, and a sense of belonging in the wider world.”
In a statement celebrating the achievement, Jamie Oliver said:
“This record wasn’t just about numbers — it was about impact. Together, we’ve shown the power of food, education, and community to inspire and empower the next generation.”
Participants are also encouraged to share their experience on social media, tagging @jamieoliver and @wearewonde, showcasing the moments that helped make this feat unforgettable.
But the mission doesn’t end with the record. The 10 Skills Programme continues to offer free educational resources for schools and community groups in the UK and US. From Jamie Oliver’s Kitchen Garden Project for primary schools to the full 10 Skills curriculum for older students, the initiative is helping young people gain real-life confidence in the kitchen.
To sign up or learn more:
- UK Secondary Schools: schools.jamieoliver.com
- UK Primary Schools: Jamie Oliver’s Kitchen Garden Project
- US Schools/Groups: 10skills.jamieoliver.com
With a world record under their belts and a legacy of learning left behind, Oliver and his team — along with schools like Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School — have proven that cooking together can truly change the world.
Physical Education
Sports Awards 2025
Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School Sports Awards Evening: A Night of Sporting Excellence and Inspiration
On a memorable evening held at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School celebrated the outstanding sporting achievements of its students at the annual Sports Awards Evening. Set against the backdrop of one of the region’s most popular sporting venues, the event brought together students, staff, families, and special guests for a night that truly captured the spirit of dedication, resilience, and excellence in sport.
The evening shone a spotlight on students who have demonstrated exceptional commitment and talent across a wide range of disciplines — from team sports like football, rugby and netball, to individual activities such as athletics and also overall PE Year group winners were announced. Not forgetting the expressive creativity of Dance, each award presented was a testament to the hard work, perseverance and positive attitude shown by our young athletes throughout the year.
A highlight of the night was the powerful and insightful address delivered by guest speaker Jack Phillips, Head Data Analyst at England Rugby League. Drawing on his extensive experience at the elite level of sport, Jack spoke to students about the importance of seeking marginal gains — those extra few percent that can make all the difference in performance. He explained how top athletes don’t just rely on natural talent, but constantly look to improve through attention to detail in areas such as training intensity, recovery strategies, nutrition, and analysing data from games. His message was clear and inspiring: excellence isn’t accidental, it’s built through effort, insight and a willingness to improve every day.
Jack’s words resonated deeply with our students and aligned perfectly with the PE department’s core vision: Promote, Engage, Excel. This vision underpins everything we strive for in PE and sport at Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School.
Promote: raising the profile of sport and physical activity, ensuring that every student is encouraged to be active and to see the value in leading a healthy lifestyle.
Engage: creating inclusive opportunities where students of all abilities feel supported and inspired to get involved, try new things, and build their confidence.
Excel: striving for personal bests, whether that’s winning a medal, mastering a new skill, or simply showing determination and progress in physical activity. We also strive for sporting excellence and develop young people into athletes who compete at the highest level.
The Sports Awards Evening encapsulated this vision. From those representing the school at the highest levels to those who have shown huge personal improvement and enthusiasm in lessons, every student recognised on the night has embodied these values.
It was a celebration not just of trophies and medals, but of teamwork, character, and a shared commitment to physical and mental toughness through sport. Congratulations to all our award winners and thank you to everyone who helped make the evening such a success — a true reflection of the one of our best years yet!
Sports Day 2025 – A Celebration of Hope, Compassion and Endurance 🏅
The sun shone down on a spectacular Sports Day 2025, as our entire Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England community came together for an unforgettable day of athleticism, teamwork, and celebration. The field was alive with energy, laughter, and cheers, as students and staff demonstrated the very best of our school values.
Track Events: Speed, Determination and Glory
From the first gunshot to the final finish line, our students lit up the track with blistering pace and grit. Personal bests were smashed across all year groups, with standout performances in the 100m, 200m, and relay races. The crowd erupted with every tightly contested sprint, and it was clear to see the hard work and determination of every competitor. Congratulations to all our medalists and every runner who gave it their all!
The staff were not to be outdone! The House Tug of War saw fierce competition and lots of laughter as staff teams dug deep—literally. Mr Large even came prepared in a pair of gardening gloves! A massive effort was made by all, with ropes creaking and House pride on the line. Mr White’s Arbitrium took 1st place. In the staff relay, Team Virtus stormed to victory in a thrilling race that had students on their feet cheering every step of the way. It was a fantastic example of camaraderie and fun in action!
Beyond the track, students showcased their skills in a wide range of team events. From the fast-paced strategy of flag American football to the chaotic excitement of dodgeball and classic football matches, teamwork was the name of the game.
Meanwhile, the Challenge Zone pushed students to the limit. The 1000m row time trial tested stamina and mental strength, the tug of war returned for student teams to battle it out, and the inflatable obstacle course added a huge dose of fun to the day.
What stood out more than the medals and results was the sense of unity and mutual respect across the school. Students supported one another, cheered for other Houses, and showed great sportsmanship throughout. Whether it was a helping hand after a tumble, or a handshake after a hard-fought game, our values of compassion and hope were on full display.
This day would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of so many. A huge thank you to the House Leaders encouraging participation across the board. Our staff braved the heat and kept the day running smoothly, while our amazing Parents Supporting Boteler showed up in full force to support our students and keep everyone refreshed and hydrated. Your effort didn’t go unnoticed—and we’re sure the school fund will be celebrating too, with all proceeds going straight back into supporting our young people.
As the sun set on Sports Day 2025, we walked away not just with memories, but with a renewed pride in our school and each other. Here’s to the power of sport, community, and Boteler spirit!
Following 6 hours of physical activity, competition and sport, the final results are as follows:
The winners of Sports Day 2025 goes to Mr White and Arbitrium House!
