Dear Parents/Carers
Welcome back and I hope you had a wonderful half term.
It is wonderful to see all my young people again and I have enjoyed spending time catching up with them.
A few uniform updates for you. The new skirt trials are going well. The pilot group are doing a tremendous job working with Miss K Dowling and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. The students like the new fabric as they said it felt a better-quality product. They liked the fit of the skirt as they found it very flattering and they felt the colour blue was very vibrant and they preferred this. We are having a few issues with the length, and I am working with the pilot group. My main aim is they do not roll them up at all. Therefore, I am working with them and a length that is appropriate but wearable. This is where I really need your support. However, I appreciate you send them out of the house with it rolled down and within 2 seconds and they are out of view it is rolled up. I have enclosed a couple of pictures so you can see what it looks like. I appreciate you may not think it is much different, but it is about the long-term wear, quality and cost – this is the reason why I am doing it and also making sure it is easy to purchase. Also, if we go with the new supplier we can do special bundles again, which are more cost effective. The new PE kit will be shared with you in due course, and this will be phased in. Again, it is about being cost effective and high quality so will not need replacing unless your child grows.
Just a reminder that black 70 denier + tights will be compulsory with skirts from January 2026. If there are any issues then please do email me – bscott-herron@boteler.org.uk
I had the pleasure of going to an event at Jodrell Bank where Dan Price, Cheshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner announced that he wants Cheshire to be the first county in the UK where all secondary schools use phone pouches. Esther Ghey who is a phone free education campaigner and Emma Mills, Headteacher and the first adopter of phone pouches in Warrington (September 2024), spoke about all the many benefits and that statistics were staggering. I was invited as an early adopter school, as we have the phone pouches and even though for us it has only been 3 months we can already see the difference in attitudes to learning, attention to learning and there has been a reduction in social media incidents too. My role now is to support other schools in Cheshire who want to move to a phone ban too. I did speak to other colleagues about our working relationship and how on board and supportive you have been as parents and carers in enabling this new policy to run as smoothly as it has – so thank you. We will have more statistical data to share with you going forward and we will do a survey at the 6-month mark to gain your feedback too.
Beverley Scott-Herron
Headteacher
The Importance of Year 11 Mock Exams
As we approach the Year 11 written mock exams (starting Monday 17th November), we would like to take a moment to highlight why these exams are such a vital part of your child’s preparation for their final GCSEs.
Mock exams are far more than just practice papers — they are a key opportunity for students to experience the full exam process in a realistic setting. Sitting exams under formal conditions helps to build familiarity and confidence, reducing anxiety when it comes to the real thing in the summer. It also allows students to develop important skills such as time management, working under pressure, and applying their knowledge in exam-style questions.
Equally important, mock exams give both students and teachers a clear picture of current progress. The results help to identify strengths and pinpoint the specific areas where extra support or revision may be needed. Teachers use this information to tailor lessons and intervention sessions, while students can use their results to plan effective revision strategies for the months ahead. Year 11 will be given their results in our special Year 11 Mock Exam assembly on Monday 5th January. Results will also be emailed to parents on the same day.
We encourage parents to support their children through this period by helping them to establish good routines — regular study sessions, healthy meals, and plenty of rest make a real difference. Try to celebrate effort as well as achievement; resilience and a positive mindset are just as important as grades at this stage.
Ultimately, mock exams are an invaluable stepping stone towards success in the summer. They provide a safe environment to learn from mistakes, gain experience, and build confidence for the final exams.
We wish all our Year 11 students the very best for their mock exams next week — we know how hard they have been working, and we are proud of their efforts so far.
Year 11 Mock Exam Timetable
Raise the bar – The Boteler Christmas Raffle
We are excited to launch our Christmas Boteler Raffle and cinema trip as part of our Raise the Bar behaviour and attendance rewards. We want to remind everyone why improving attendance truly matters: every day in school strengthens learning, builds confidence, and keeps opportunities open, but most importantly, we believe in giving every student a fresh start, and Half-Term 2 is exactly that. To be in with a chance of winning, you need a positive aggregate of conduct points (House Points minus Behaviour Points) and attendance of 96% or above; with 96% earning 1 raffle entry, 98% earning 3 entries, and 100% earning 5 entries—however, if your attendance is below 96% due to authorised absence, this will not be a concern for the raffle or cinema criteria.
By showing commitment, resilience, and making the most of this fresh start, you could win prizes including an Amazon Fire HD tablet, Bluetooth wireless earbuds, a UEFA Champions League football, a chrome trim Parker pen, a £20 cinema voucher, a £10 ASOS voucher, and more—so make every day count, raise the bar, and give yourself the best chance to be a winner this December.
This week’s assemblies have focused on the power of small steps and how making consistent, positive choices can create a big impact over time. We explored the idea of effort versus talent, reminding students that while talent can give you a starting point, it’s effort that determines how far you go. Effort is a choice you make every single day, and it is always within your reach—no matter your background, your starting point, or the challenges you face. As we said in assembly: “You control the effort you walk in with.”
Years 7 – 11 Childhood Flu Immunisations
Please click on the following link to view a letter and consent form from the Cheshire, Warrington and Wirral School Age Immunisation Service, regarding the upcoming Flu Immunisations.
If you have any questions, please contact the Cheshire, Warrington and Wirral School Age Immunisation Service.
Warrington Borough Council – Promoting Sustainable Travel and Healthier Lifestyles
As part of Warrington Borough Council’s ongoing commitment to promoting sustainable travel and healthier lifestyles, they have developed a series of PINDAR maps tailored for both high schools and secondary schools across the borough. These maps highlight safe walking routes, key crossings, and sustainable travel options to encourage pupils and parents to leave the car at home and choose active travel where possible.
Please click HERE to view the map for Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School.
Green Careers Week
On Monday your child will be learning about Green Careers.
Green Careers Week shines a spotlight on the wide range of environmentally conscious career paths available to young people. A green career is any job, role, or occupation that helps protect, preserve, or restore the environment and our planet.
You don’t need to be a scientist to make an impact. Whatever subjects you’re studying, whether it’s English, Economics, or anything in between, there’s a green career out there for you.
Please take a look at the parents guide to complete with your child and show them the opportunities associated with careers in the green sector. Your child can also do the green Buzz quiz to see which green careers would suit them. Resources 2025 – Green Careers Week
Year 10 and 11 have been sent an email to their school account with a Future Skills Questionnaire attached. Students need to complete this questionnaire. They may need to check their junk folder.
The questionnaire measures their career readiness and aspects of their knowledge, skills and attitudes towards their future. The results collated will be used to ensure we are covering what they need to know in the careers learning journey programme.
Remembrance
During registration on Monday, our Ambassadors will be taking poppies round to the form groups where students will be able to make a donation if they wish, for a poppy. Students will also be able to donate at break and lunchtime, when the Ambassadors will be based in the dining room.
A reminder that Year 8 Parents’ Evening will take place on Monday 10th November 15:30-19:00. This is an important opportunity to meet with subject teachers, discuss progress, and explore how we can continue to support students both academically and personally.
We are also pleased to confirm the focus of our next Parent Forum, which will take place on Wednesday 27th November. The session will explore understanding and supporting children with ADHD. This is an important topic, as increasing numbers of young people are being identified with attention and focus-related needs. Research highlights that when schools and families work together with shared understanding and practical strategies, students with ADHD make stronger progress, experience reduced anxiety, and develop greater confidence in their learning.
Finally, we are looking to recruit a Parent Forum Working Group to help us shape the future of our parental engagement programme. This small group will meet termly to share ideas, provide feedback, and help ensure that our Parent Forums continue to meet the needs of our community.
If you would be interested in joining this group, please complete the short form using the link below by 1st December.
Parent Forum Working Group – Fill in form
Men’s Mental Health Month
Men’s Mental Health Month, also known as Movember, is an annual global campaign that takes place every November. It focuses on raising awareness for men’s health issues and suicide prevention. The month encourages men to talk openly about their health and seek support locally. It aims to normalise conversations about mental health, end the stigma surrounding it, and enable people to access support when they need it.
Movember is a way for men to feel seen, supported, and connected. It provides a friendly way to normalise health chats, learn the warning signs, and remind oneself and friends that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. The campaign also aims to build better conversations and fund meaningful change by raising funds that support programs that improve early detection, widen access to care, and create community-based mental health initiatives.
At our high school, we are deeply committed to supporting the mental health and well-being of our male students, especially during Men’s Mental Health Month. We recognise that young men often face unique pressures and that breaking the stigma around seeking help is essential. Our school offers a variety of resources, including access to wellbeing support, peer support through Wellbeing Ambassadors, and mental health signposting to programs that encourage open conversations about emotions, stress, and mental health.
We promote a culture of empathy and empowering our students through awareness campaigns, classroom discussions, and student-led initiatives that emphasise that asking for help is a sign of strength—not weakness. By providing a safe, supportive environment, we empower our male students to take care of their mental health and build resilience for the future.
English Department
English revision sessions for the Year 11 mock exams
Language paper 1: Sunday 16th November 10.30-11.30 or Tuesday 18th November 15:15 – 16:15 in room 22
Language paper 2: Sunday 23rd November : 10.30-11.30 or Tuesday 25th November 15:15 – 16:15 in room 22
Hospitality
During half term Ms Fallon attended the FUN:) Healthy Chinese Cuisine Ambassadors Teacher Training Workshop in partnership with Lee Kum Kee. The itinerary included a morning presentation on Chinese regional cuisine and the use of sauces in relation to Chinese cooking methods. Following this was a demonstration of five popular dishes; red braised pork, pepper chicken, steamed sea bass, broccoli beef and pork dumplings. Ms Fallon also had the opportunity to cook the dishes herself. The skills learnt will reinforce the skills already being taught and learnt in Hospitality by students.
You can also find more information on the Fun HCCA, YouTube channel, FUN:) Skills Videos which has a series of Chinese food preparation and cooking Skills Videos – from peeling and chopping garlic to filleting fish and wrapping dumplings. Or on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @FUNHCCA
Well done to everyone who entered the Halloween Cooking Competition. Ms Fallon was blown away by the skills, talent and final products shown, it was really difficult to choose. Massive congratulations to Shelby with her winning entry. What a fantastic product! Click here to see the entries.
Keep a look out for the next competition coming soon.
Physical Education
Academy Sport+ Updates
National development Championships semi-finalist Chloe Boyle shines in Kettering
Chloe made it to the penultimate round of the competition narrowly missing out on a spot in the final to a girl who went on to be crowned Champion. Chloe showed her class and positive attitude commenting “It’s only the start of my journey and it is not a loss, this is a lesson.”
Academy Sports+ University Sport Science Trips and Workshops
12th December 2025
9th January 2026
15th May 2026
Active participation survey – PE, Sport and active lifestyles
In partnership with Warrington PE & School Sport Team, we are writing to you regarding your participation in the Active Lives Children and Young People Survey.
Active Lives is a national survey driven by Sport England in partnership with three key Government Departments; Department for Education, Department of Health and Social Care and Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The aim of the survey is to collect responses from children and young people on their physical activity and health & wellbeing habits to provide crucial insights.
The data gathered from the survey will inform the national picture and provides us with essential locally-based information, enabling us to develop our programmes and support to ensure we continue to meet the needs of the young people across our school and local community. The information will also provide key evidence that will be essential for obtaining continued or additional funding over future years for children and young people.
Students are invited to complete the survey below. Each survey will take approximately 15 – 20 minutes to complete.
Please see the below the year group links here:
- Year 7 – https://ipsos.uk/LNWWZNP
- Year 9 – https://ipsos.uk/LLLWZRH
- Year 10 – https://ipsos.uk/HXPWZFX
Thank you in advance for ensuring your child engages with the survey. Your responses are valued and appreciated.
Mr Burbidge
Head of Physical Education
What’s on this week?
Please see the PE extra-curricular timetable below, detailing all of the clubs and fixtures that are on w/c Monday 10th November.
Music Department
