Dear Parents/Carers

I hope you are well.

I would like to give you an update on the phone pouches and thank you for your support with this.  The students are now in a very good routine in the morning, and it has become very much the norm regarding their entrance. The checking operation is much slicker and seems to be working well.

We still have a few who are forgetting their pouch, and I appreciate there are genuine reasons for this. That is where our red Oops pouches are working well. If an Oops pouch is borrowed the students are supposed to sign these back in at the end of the day. Therefore, if any of these have escaped home, please can you return them. We have been met with next to no resistance from any young person which is just brilliant, and you have helped so much with this. The positive effect that this initiative is having on the young people is huge from their focus in lessons to their behaviours at social time. Whilst we were a phone free school before, it was clear that in their social time, they were accessing their phones out of sight, which was leading to problems which were then brought into the learning environment. Over time we will have some more statistical data which we can share as it important you can see the positive impact of this initiative.

I mentioned a while back that I am looking to change the school skirt slightly because I have found a cheaper supplier and a higher quality product.  I know and understand how much uniform costs, so I am doing a piece of work on reducing the costs for you across school uniform and PE kit.  If we do change the school skirt, I would like to roll this out from next September 2026, so I am just giving you plenty of lead in time.  I am also potentially looking at changing the PE kit again to a cheaper option. I know that this initially will be a cost but overall, it will be cheaper going forward. Again, this would be from September 2026. I am really interested in your opinions on this so if you have any initial thoughts and/or questions, please could you email my PA Mrs Muckley jmuckley@boteler.org.uk and title the email ‘Uniform’ and then I can respond to your question. If there is a large volume of correspondence, I will dedicate a set email address going forward. I am just information gathering at this stage. I will be sharing prices and comparisons very soon. I am setting up a focus group to try the new skirts out and Miss K Dowling will be supporting with this. I have a variety of sizes and lengths to trail.

I am also considering making tights compulsory between September and May half term as I feel it looks really smart if a young person is choosing to wear a skirt. Our young people have a variety of skirt lengths at present due to many reasons. Despite me trying to insist on a length just above the knee, it is not working because sometimes to get the right length, the waist size is not quite right and then some are very short because it fits them better. Therefore, to avoid this problem, tights would enable the uniform to be more consistent and there would not be as much disparity or cause the young people to feel singled out because of their skirt.  I need to try and work with everyone on a solution and remove barriers where I can.  I understand the warmer weather comes in May so therefore I would allow black knee socks and or tights in the period between May and July. Of course, if a young person does not like tights or they are not comfortable they are able to wear trousers. Some of the young people who wear skirts say that they do not like school trousers so, again, I am in the process of looking for a design that works. Again, I will get a focus group to help me with this. I think it is important to work with the young people. I am not going to please everyone, but I will do my best.  If I do go with the tights rule, again this would not be brought in until next year and any new design of trousers would be consulted on. Again, not everyone is going to agree with this but as I am always transparent, I just want to share with you my thoughts and the rationale behind it. Working with you as parents/carers and with the young people is always the best way forward.

Please remember I am always happy to help and support you in any way I can, and you are welcome to contact me directly bscott-herron@boteler.org.uk

Have a wonderful weekend and many thanks for your support.

Beverley Scott-Herron

Headteacher

Attendance update

The School Attendance Policy is available to view in the policies section of the school website and we would just like to remind you of parent/carer responsibilities in relation to attendance. In the policy it states:

Parents are expected to:

• Make sure their child attends every day on time
• Call the school to report their child’s absence before 8.00am on the day of the absence and each subsequent day of absence), and advise when they are expected to return
• Provide the school with more than 1 emergency contact number for their child
• Ensure that, where possible, appointments for their child are made outside of the school day
• Keep to any attendance contracts or action plans that they make with the school and/or local authority
• Seek support, where necessary, for maintaining good attendance, by contacting the relevant Head of Year

The Importance of Multiple Emergency Contacts

Ensuring the safety and well-being of students is our top priority. One of the most effective ways to support this is by maintaining up-to-date emergency contact information, including more than one emergency contact where reasonably possible.

Why Are Multiple Emergency Contacts Important?

1. Emergency Situations: In the event of an accident, illness, or urgent situation, the school needs to contact a responsible adult quickly. Having multiple contacts increases the chances of reaching someone who can assist.
2. Unreachable Primary Contact: If the first listed contact is unavailable due to work commitments, travel, or other reasons, an alternative contact ensures that critical information is relayed without delay.
3. Safeguarding and Well-being: Schools have a duty of care to students, and in cases where safeguarding concerns arise, reaching an alternative trusted adult may be necessary for the student’s safety and support.
4. School Closures and Emergencies: During sudden school closures due to weather, transport issues, or other unforeseen circumstances, having multiple contacts helps ensure that parents or guardians are informed promptly.

Keeping Contact Information Up to Date

We encourage all parents and guardians to regularly review and update their child’s emergency contact details. This can be done quickly and easily via the Arbor Parent Portal. If you need assistance accessing the portal or updating your details, please contact the school office.

By ensuring that multiple emergency contacts are in place, we can work together to keep all students safe and supported.

If you have not provided us with at least two emergency contacts, please can this be addressed as a matter of urgency.

Setting the Standard for Success

At Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School, we believe that being fully prepared for school is a vital part of helping every student reach their full potential. Our high standards and expectations are rooted in our commitment to ensuring the best for every child. From experience, we know that when these standards are met, they make a real difference.

As we continue through the term, we ask for your support in maintaining our expectations around the following key areas:

• Uniform: Full school uniform must be worn correctly at all times. This includes polishable school shoes and trousers or skirts of appropriate length. Non-uniform items will be confiscated.
• Jewellery and Appearance: Only a wristwatch (not a smart watch) is permitted—no other jewellery. Piercings, false nails, false eyelashes, unnatural hair colours and excessive make-up are not allowed.
• Equipment: Every student is expected to bring a school bag, a fully stocked pencil case, a scientific calculator, and a reading book every day.

These high standards help set the tone for a successful year and reflect the pride our students have in being part of the Boteler family. Thank you for your continued support.

Please follow the links below for more information.

Careers Learning Journey:

Careers Learning Journey – Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School

Boteler Wider Curriculum (BWC):

Wider Curriculum – Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School

Personal Development:

Personal Development – Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School

College Open Evening

Please click on the link below for information regarding the Barrow Hall College Open Evening.

Barrow College Open Evening

Please click on the following link for information regarding a forthcoming programme of lessons for PSHE. 

PSHE Letter

Italy Visit 2026!

The Italy visit for 2026 has now been booked!

The next payment instalment of £70.00 is due by 22nd October.

The balance is due by 1st July 2026.

Year 7 Halloween Disco

The Year 7 Halloween Disco is on Thursday 16^th October from 15:00 – 16:30. Please complete the form using the following link to confirm your child’s attendance. https://forms.office.com/e/8XxgLdZmkU

At Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School, we are committed to working in partnership with parents and carers to support every child’s success. Research from the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) shows that strong parental engagement can add up to four months of additional progress per year, making it one of the most effective ways to improve student outcomes.

KS4 Parent Forum – Wednesday 15th October

Our next Parent Forum will focus on Exam Preparation and Study Skills. This session will provide parents and carers with practical strategies to help students stay organised, manage revision, and prepare confidently for their GCSEs. We strongly encourage all KS4 families to attend, as evidence shows that when parents are actively involved in learning, students are more motivated, achieve higher grades, and experience reduced anxiety during exam periods.

Please confirm your attendance here: https://forms.office.com/e/5vc2c5J172

Year 7 Tutor Evening – Monday 13th October, 3.30–7.00pm

We are also looking forward to welcoming our Year 7 families for their Tutor Evening. This is a valuable opportunity to meet your child’s tutor, discuss how they have settled into secondary school, and celebrate the fantastic start they have made at Sir Thomas Boteler.

We look forward to seeing as many parents and carers as possible at both events. Your continued involvement makes a real difference.

World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day takes place every year on 10^th October. It’s a reminder of the importance of good mental health and the need to prioritise and invest in good mental health. Poor mental health is not inevitable, and World Mental Health Day is an opportunity for us all to consider how, together, we can help everyone have better mental health.

This year focuses on the mental health impact of repeated exposure to news coverage of crises and conflicts. The theme is: Overwhelm: when global events and relentless bad news become too much.

The world is going through a tough time right now and even if you’re not directly affected by events, it can still feel like a lot to cope with. It’s okay to ask for help, no matter what you, or anyone else is going through. 

This week, our school has been proud to mark World Mental Health Day by holding special assemblies for every year group, focusing on the importance of looking after our wellbeing and knowing where to find help when we need it.

In these sessions, students have learned about the support available right here in school, as well as services outside of school such as CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services), the Mental Health Support Team (MHST), and Kooth, an online platform that offers free, safe, and anonymous support. World Mental Health Day is a reminder that looking after our minds is just as important as looking after our bodies, and that nobody has to face challenges alone—help is always available.

For the latest Keeping Boteler Safe newsletter, please click here

Maths Department

English Department

Drama Department

We are excited for the upcoming performances of ‘The Addams Family’.  Our Students are working really hard and attending multiple rehearsals to perfect their skills in Acting, Singing and Dance.  Tickets are available from the school office.  Please see the poster for details.

Physical Education

What’s on this week?

Please see the timetable below to see all of the clubs, fixtures and activities on offer from the PE department. All team sheets for fixtures will be up by Monday lunchtime in the Ball Hall. Students should come down to see if they have been selected and to get information on the fixtures.

Academy Sport+ update

Congratulations to the 13 students who qualify to be part of our elite sport programme. 

Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School’s new cohort of Academy Sports+ students is the largest and most accomplished in the school’s history. These students have earned their places through outstanding dedication and exceptional talent in their respective sports. Their achievements reflect a remarkable blend of hard work, passion, and discipline, both on and off the field. Their commitment and drive set a stellar example for the entire school community. We look forward to their first of many elite sports sessions, workshops and away days.

From Classroom to Champion – Ex-Student Returns to Inspire the Next Generation

We were delighted to welcome back a familiar face this week as former student and current Warrington Wolves Rugby League star Oliver Bishop returned to school. Fresh from winning the Academy Grand Final, he made his return to inspire the next generation of athletes, dreamers, and achievers.

Now a key player in one of the country’s most prestigious rugby league academies, our ex-student didn’t just bring his winner’s medal, he brought a powerful message of resilience, hard work, and self-belief.

Throughout the day, he delivered a Rugby League masterclass in PE lessons, sharing the elite-level skills and techniques that have helped him rise through the ranks. Students were fully engaged, pushing themselves under his expert guidance, and left the session buzzing with energy and motivation.

In the classroom, he spoke openly with students about his personal journey—from the very same corridors and classrooms they sit in now, to stepping onto the pitch in high-stakes academy finals. He discussed the discipline, mindset, and commitment required to chase a dream, and reminded students that while talent is important, it’s dedication and belief that make the real difference.

His visit was a powerful reminder that no goal is out of reach. His words resonated deeply with students and staff alike, and the positive impact he made will be felt long after the final whistle of his visit.

Oliver said “Having left school I found out about the big world out there, the other responsibilities, and I’ve grown up fast. School had a massive impact on me and helped me settle down. I listened and had people close to me that helped me every day. Teachers knew me as a person and took an interest in me and that motivated me even more. I look back and I wish I could have matured a little earlier as school is the stepping stone to go and do whatever you want to do”

A huge thank you to our special guest for giving back to the school community and being a role model for our students. We’re proud to have played a small part in his journey and even prouder to see him inspiring others to chase their own ambitions. We tour will see more of Oliver once he returns from his Rugby League tour of Australia.

We break the trend for PE and Sport 

In its annual report, the YST says that 2.2 million children in England are now doing less than 30 minutes of activity a day, and less than half (48%) are meeting the UK’s Chief Medical Officers’ recommendation of at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day.

It says the steepest decline has hit 11-14-year-olds, with more than 2,800 hours cut and 347 teachers lost for this age group in the past year, at a time of rising childhood obesity rates.

YST also adds that girls, children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and those from disadvantaged backgrounds “continue to face the greatest barriers to being active”.

However, the study also found that 93% of young people believe PE is important, 71% want to be more active at school, and 96% of teachers agree that sport and play benefit mental wellbeing.

There is still work to be done at our school and as Parents and Carers I strongly advise you ensure your young person is physically active, exercises and/or plays regular competitive sport. Suggestions include:

– students walk or cycle to school

– build physical activity and exercise in to daily routines

– encourage participation at one of our many extra curricular sports clubs 

– Use positive reinforcement: Praise and encourage children for their effort and participation to help them stay active. 

– spend time outdoors  and explore local facilities like pools, recreation centers, and bike paths for more opportunities to be active.

Warrington Schools’ Cross Country

We are incredibly proud to celebrate the outstanding efforts of our Year 7, 8, and 9 cross country runners, who recently represented our school in a fiercely contested event featuring over 8 schools and around 60 competitors per race.

The atmosphere was electric as students took on the challenging course, pushing themselves to the limit through mud, hills, and unpredictable October weather. Each runner demonstrated the physical endurance, speed, and stamina required for long-distance competition—but just as importantly, they showed the mental strength that defines a true athlete.

Cross country is a sport that demands resilience, perseverance, and focus. It takes courage to stand on the start line, determination to keep going when the going gets tough, and discipline to train in all conditions. Our students embodied all of these qualities, supporting each other throughout and representing our school with pride, sportsmanship, and heart.

A special mention to the boys team in Year 9 who placed exceptionally well. Dominik Chomiak (3rd place overall), Noah Ralphs (14th place overall) and Seb Moores-Dzicek (20th overall) really put our school on the map once again. Fantastic effort.