Dear Parents/Carers
I hope you are well. I do not know where the time has gone and now, we find ourselves at the end of half term one. It has been incredibly busy yet rewarding and I am so very proud of everything we have achieved.
Thank you for all your support, it is very much appreciated. You were all very much on my mind when I delivered at the Department for Education Conference this week on Parental Engagement. Whilst we have a lot of best practice at school for how we work with you, we are always conscious of improving our provision. Therefore if there is anything in particular that you feel we are not doing for parents and carers that you would benefit from, please can you let me know by emailing my PA Mrs Muckley jmuckley@boteler.org.uk I am happy to take any feedback, both positive and constructive, as I really want you all to feel involved with your child and valued for your ideas. I really want us to work in partnership and for you to feel that you can always come to us if you need anything. We do our very best to try and get everything right, but we are human and occasionally we do not, but we always do things with the very best of intentions and with the young person at the heart of decision making.
Thank you for all the communications regarding the potential uniform changes. I have replied to those individuals who have asked for clarification. Thank you for your positivity and understanding regarding my rationale and I will be in touch with more details soon. We currently have a group of young people from all year groups trialling the new skirts, and I will feedback in due course how this is progressing.
We may, however, be able to bring in a change sooner than anticipated and that is regarding the compulsory wearing of tights if you wear a skirt. I 100% want the young people to have the choice whether they wear a skirt or trousers, but we need to ensure that the young people have consistency and look professional. Making tights compulsory from September to May half term, will enable us to combat all the issues we have on length/waist size and the students growing, so that there is not the variety we have at present. I have spoken to a lot of young people, and they are happy with the move. Some have concerns that tights make them feel uncomfortable, but I said I would work with them on finding brands that would be suitable. If your child feels it might be a problem then please do tell them to come and speak to me and I will work with them, or please do get in touch yourself. We are hoping to move to compulsory tights from January 2026. The socks you may already have purchased will not go to waste as these can be used from after May half term onwards. The tights need to be thick black ones – 70 denier+ if you are thinking of purchasing them sooner. The skirts still need to be worn just above or on the knee: that has not changed. Just a reminder that tight black pull-on trousers, flared or bootcut trousers are not permitted. If a student would like to wear trousers, then they need to be tailored/traditional school trousers which fasten at the waist. School reserve the right to determine whether they are ‘school trousers’ or not. Therefore, please do not purchase trousers if you are unsure, please do check with us first and we will help.
We had the School Production this week of The Addams Family and it was absolutely fantastic. We have over 300 Primary students who came to watch over the three performances and a huge thank you to all the parents and carers who attended and supported. I was so incredibly proud of the students who performed and helped backstage. For some, this was their first thespian experience, and they were just superb. Thanks especially to Ms Armstrong and all the team of staff who enabled the production to be such a huge success. I have however, been singing the songs all week and am continuing to do so as I type. I think if I had the choice, I would like to play Morticia Addams, however I do not think I could do any of the parts justice in comparison to how all my students performed, so I will just be a proud Headteacher instead.
I hope you have the most wonderful half term and please make sure you stay safe and take care. I look forward to seeing all my young people on Monday 3rd November 2025, bright and early, organised, looking smart and ready for the new half term.
Beverley Scott-Herron
Headteacher
Year 11 Mock Exam Timetable
Half Term Reflection: A Positive Start to Our Phone Pouch Strategy
As we reach the end of the first half term, it’s been fantastic to see how well our students have responded to the introduction of our Phone Locker Strategy. Change can sometimes bring challenges, but the maturity, cooperation, and positivity shown by our students has been truly commendable.
From the outset, our aim was to create a learning environment that promotes focus, wellbeing, and meaningful social interaction. We are delighted to report that the benefits we hoped for are already being seen across school life:
- Sharper focus and fewer interruptions during lessons.
- Improved student interaction and social development — more conversations, teamwork, and laughter in social spaces.
- Enhanced mental health, supported by both research and our own observations.
These results align with national trends — over 90% of English schools now restrict mobile phone use. Case studies consistently show that when phones are removed, focus, behaviour, and academic performance all improve. Research from the NHS and universities also highlights that phone distractions can take over 20 minutes to recover from, while excessive screen time contributes to anxiety, depression, and insomnia.
We are proud to see that:
- Social media–related issues have dropped significantly.
- Lesson disruptions due to mobile phones have been almost non-existent.
This initiative isn’t just about removing distractions, it’s about helping our young people reconnect, learn more effectively, and build stronger, real-life friendships.
A small number of students occasionally forget their phone pouch, and in those cases, we’ve safely collected their phones or issued a temporary pouch. If your child has a red pouch at home, please ensure it is returned. If their pouch has been lost or damaged, a replacement will need to be purchased.
We are incredibly proud of how our school community has embraced this change. Together, we are creating a calmer, kinder, and more focused environment for everyone to learn and grow.
Thank you for your continued support.
As a Church School, Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School prides itself on the development of the ‘whole child’. Our Personal Development curriculum is designed to support students to become confident, healthy, resilient and respectful citizens, who are fully prepared for life and work and are ready to tackle the challenges and opportunities of today and tomorrow.
Please look at the PD webpage here to see what Personal Development includes:
Personal Development – Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School
Youth Parliament
Would you like to be a Member of Youth Parliament and represent the youth voices of Warrington or a member of Warrington Youth Council.
If this is something that you are interested in then please see Mrs Mawby.
As part of the Career Learning Journey, students have looked at the Labour Market Index. A great tool to explore jobs linked to your skills and interests is the Skillsometer. Skillsometer can help you discover what jobs you might like to do in the future. You will be presented with a series of statements. Select the emoji that shows how you feel about each statement. You will be given suggestions of jobs linked to what you most enjoy doing. Skillsometer – LMI For All
You can also 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗰𝗰𝘂𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿.
Careerometer can be used to explore and compare key information about occupations, help you learn about different occupations and identify potential careers.
It provides access to a selection of UK headline data relating to pay, weekly hours of work and future employment prospects for different occupations, as well as description of the occupation.
Simply type in the title of the job you are interested in and the widget provides a series of options from which you can select the most relevant to you. You can then look up another two occupations and compare. You can also select ‘display the UK average’ and compare the information with the occupation you have selected.
https://www.lmiforall.org.uk/careerometer/
Higher Horizons
We welcomed Higher Horizons this week to deliver The Exam Prep Mini Programme sessions consist of 3 1-hour sessions of impartial information to help students make informed choices. The first session was on Revision Skills; the second session was on Exam Techniques and the third session on English and Maths Exam Techniques. The feedback regarding the sessions from our students was really positive and they believed they could use the techniques shown to them. Higher Horizons staff thought that our students were highly engaged, thoughtful and extremely well mannered and commented on how proud we should be of them. Well done to year 10.
Higher Horizons are:
Part of the Uni Connect Programme, funded by the Government to deliver free and impartial higher education outreach to schools and colleges across Staffordshire, Shropshire and Cheshire.
Our Impact in numbers:
- 52,000+ Young People have taken part in our activities since January 2017
- 7,000 Activities delivered for schools and colleges since January 2017
- 2x More likely to apply to university if you take part in our programme
Priestley College
Last week Neve from Priestley College came in to support with applications for Year 11 students as well as give 1:1 advice about courses, qualifications and next steps.
Year 8 Parents’ Evening – Bookings Now Live
We are pleased to announce that the online booking system for Year 8 Parents’ Evening on Monday 10th November is now live. This evening is a key opportunity for parents and carers to meet with subject teachers to discuss academic progress, celebrate achievements and identify how we can continue to work together to support your child’s learning and personal development.
Your involvement at this stage is vital. Research from the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) continues to show that strong parental engagement significantly boosts student progress and motivation. We encourage all families to book appointments as soon as possible to secure preferred times.
Please check your Parent Arbor App and emails for the live booking link.
Next Parent Forum – Wednesday 27th November
We are also looking forward to our next Parent Forum, which will take place on Wednesday 27th November.
We were delighted with the excellent turnout at our first Parent Forum of the year and the positive feedback received. Slides from that session are now available on the school website. We hope even more families will join us in November as we continue to build a strong and supportive community around our students.
Further details and a confirmation link will be shared soon.
Wellbeing Apps for young people
If you are a child, teenager or young adult, MIND have apps designed to support your mental health and wellbeing. These apps offer professional advice and tips, peer support, self-care tools and crisis support.
Kooth
Kooth is a free, safe and anonymous online mental health platform for younger people.
It provides peer support through live chat and community forums. And you can talk to professional counsellors. Plus, it offers self-help tools, mood tracking, and reliable information to read. It’s a non-judgmental space to support your day-to-day wellbeing.
Cost: Free to download and use
Who it’s for: Children and young people to support their mental wellbeing
Young Carers Support App
This app is for young carers. It can help you manage your wellbeing, access support and feel less alone. It provides practical advice and self-care tips. Plus links to local resources and services tailored to your needs.
It also has information about rights, education and emergency planning. It’s a supportive tool to help you balance your different responsibilities.
Cost: Free to download and use
Who’s it for: Young carers and young adult carers living in the UK
Eating Disorder Support
The Eating Disorder Support app is for anyone who has a difficult relationship with food. Like anorexia, bulimia or binge eating disorder.
It has tools to help you manage thoughts and behaviours, and track progress in a healthy way. Plus develop coping strategies. It also gives you ways to access support services and encourages recovery. It’s developed by healthcare professionals.
Cost: Free to download and use.
Who it’s for: Adults and young people over 11 years old
distrACT
The distrACT app provides support if you’re thinking about self-harm or feel suicidal.
It has information to help you stay safe, manage difficult emotions and find support. Plus helpful advice if you’re supporting someone who’s at risk of self-harm or suicide. It’s developed by doctors.
Cost: Free to download and use
Who it’s for: The app is suitable for adults and children over 11 years old
To download any of the apps mentions click on the link: Apps for young people – Mind app library
To view the latest Keeping Boteler Safe newsletter please click here
We are delighted with ‘The Addams Family’ performances this week. The Students performed to three packed out audiences, over the two days. The process for this show started why back in April and it shows the commitment, determination and talent of our young people. Nearly 50 students were involved in performing, technical support and stage crew. Boteler StageCraft Theatre Company would like to thank all staff, parents and carers for their support during the process. Please enjoy the picture gallery. Many thanks, Ms Armstrong.
Physical Education
Year 10 Rugby League Cup Winners!
We could not be prouder of five of our Year 10 students who won the U14’s Warrington Cup with their community club last weekend with Latchford Giants RLFC.
Harry, Taylor, Joe, Charlie and Tyler, you should be very proud of yourselves. Your performance was outstanding. They played in front of a crowd at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
Curriculum PE recognises consistent effort.
Curriculum PE rewards were given out today to 5 committed and hardworking students who consistently show excellent effort. Congratulations to Matthew, Megan, Wesley, Lydia, Kristopher and Violet-Frances.
Success in PE isn’t just about winning — it’s about improving yourself, setting goals, and achieving them through hard work. Students who show consistent effort and determination often experience greater progress, enjoyment, and confidence in physical activity.
There were hundreds of students displaying these behaviours. The raffle prizes were awarded with a school waterproof quarter zip and Megan won the signed Manchester City FC Ladies football.
Keep up the great work and we look forward to our next half term raffle in PE. Turn up and be your best and you too will receive a raffle ticket to be in with a chance of winning our next set of prizes.
Try these nutrition tips for aspiring athletes.
Our Year 11 Sport Science students have been applying the principles of nutrition to a current high level Basketball player and their advice is captured below
As parents of youth athletes, one of the most important aspects of their athletic development is ensuring they are properly fuelled after training or games. Recovery nutrition for youth athletes is just as critical as the training itself, after all if they can’t adapt to the training because they don’t have the required nutrients in their body – then what was the point of training? What your child eats after they finish a workout or competition can significantly impact their muscle recovery, energy replenishment, and overall performance in the next session.
After a tough training or game, your child’s body needs the right nutrients to repair muscles, replace energy stores, and reduce inflammation. This is where recovery nutrition for youth athletes comes into play. If your child skips this vital post-training meal or snack, they might feel fatigued, have slower recovery times, and even be more prone to injury.
Proper recovery nutrition for youth athletes can help your child:
Replenish Glycogen: Glycogen is the body’s primary source of energy during high intensity exercise, and it gets depleted during intense physical activity. We can only store a limited amount of glycogen in the muscles and liver, so eating the right foods after practice or games helps to RESTORE these glycogen stores ready for the next training session or competition.
Repair Muscles: Exercise causes small tears in muscle fibers. Protein helps repair these tears and build muscle strength. Without enough protein, recovery will be slower. The problem is protein is one of the most valuable resources in the body as we use it to create and repair all sorts of cells. So we need enough protein for these vital functions plus enough to repair damage muscle.
Reduce Inflammation: Intense physical activity can lead to inflammation in the body. Certain foods can help reduce this inflammation and speed up recovery.
There are three essential components to any recovery meal or snack: carbohydrates, protein, and hydration. Here’s why each is important:
- Carbohydrates: Replenishing Energy Stores
After exercise, your child’s body is low on glycogen, the stored form of energy. Eating carbohydrates right after physical activity helps refill these glycogen stores and get your child’s energy levels back to normal.
Best Carbohydrates for Recovery: Whole grains and starchy foods like potatoes, sweet potatoes, rice, pasta, cous cous, quinoa and oats.
Why It Matters: Carbs are crucial for replenishing glycogen stores, especially after intense or prolonged activity. This will ensure your child has the energy they need for their next practice or game.
- Protein: Muscle Repair and Growth
Protein is key to muscle repair. After exercise, your child’s muscles are recovering and repairing the small tears that occur during intense activity. Protein helps support this process, allowing muscles to grow stronger.
Best Protein for Recovery: Meats (chicken, turkey, fish, beef or pork), eggs, dairy products (like Greek yogurt or cottage cheese), and plant-based proteins (like beans, lentils, tofu, or quinoa).
Why It Matters: Protein is essential for muscle repair and recovery. It also helps prevent muscle breakdown and can reduce the feeling of soreness after exercise.
- Hydration: Replenishing Fluids
During exercise, your child loses fluids through sweat, which needs to be replaced to maintain performance and avoid dehydration. Proper hydration also helps transport nutrients like protein and carbohydrates to muscles for faster recovery.
Best Hydration Options: Water is always a great choice, but after intense exercise or exercise in hot temperatures, drinks that contain electrolytes (such as sports drinks or coconut water) can help replace the sodium, potassium, and magnesium lost through sweat.
Why It Matters: Staying hydrated aids in nutrient absorption, prevents cramping, and helps reduce fatigue.
Our Football teams secure strong leagues for half term 2.
Warrington Schools Football 2025-26 Divisions & Venues- ½ TERM 2
Year 7 – Wednesdays 19th November, 3rd December, 17th December: Division 2 at Birchwood High School.
Year 8 – Wednesdays 12th November, 26th November, 10th December: Division 1 at Birchwood.
Year 9 – Wednesdays 19th November, 3rd December, 17th December: Division 2 at Great Sankey High School
Year 10 – Wednesdays 12th November, 26th November, 10th December: Division 3 at Padgate High School.
Music Department
