The building work has started in earnest, which will significantly enhance the facilities in school for our learners. It has presented some logistical challenges, but learners have been fantastic in following the new systems in school. 

 

Logistical challenges was certainly the watch word last week, with Windmill Lane and adjacent roads blocked at the end of school due to the number of cars parked inconsiderately and at times illegally. This of course causes significant disruption to local residents, but also puts our learners at risk as it becomes increasingly difficult to cross the road at a safe point. 

 

Please ensure that if you are collecting your daughter at the end of school you are parked appropriately, not on double yellow lines, away from junctions and ensuring driveways and roads are still accessible for residents to move freely between their property and their destinations.  We have liaised with Kirkless Parking Enforcement who supported us last week and they will continue to visit the area to ensure our learners can leave the site safely. We thank you for your support.

 

Gary Kibble 

 

The points below summarise the information shared with learners this week

 

 

Behavior for Learning & School Expectations The school utilizes a transparent four-stage Graduated Warning System to support classroom focus:

• C1: Quiet, individual verbal reminder (unrecorded).
• C2: Clear verbal warning with specific guidance; may involve a seat move (recorded on ClassCharts).
• C3: 30-minute after-school detention for persistent issues (parents notified via ClassCharts).
• C4: Removal to Reflection for sustained disruption (parents notified via ClassCharts and On-Call chat).

 

Positive & Negative Points on ClassCharts

Learners earn or receive points based on three core values:

• Respect Self: Positive points for connected, creative learning and resilience. Negative points for disengagement or persistent lack of effort.
• Respect Environment: Positive points for maintaining classroom and school tidiness. Negative points for mess, damage, or compromise to safety.
• Respect Community: Positive points for respectful collaboration. Negative points for disruptive or disrespectful behavior.

 

Attendance & Movement

• Target: Minimum school attendance expectation is 98% (high attendance directly links to stronger exam results and future opportunities).
• Punctuality: Missing 15 minutes of lessons daily equals 8 lost learning days a year.
• Safe Movement: Learners must follow the standard one-way system between lessons. The one-way system is suspended after social times so learners can take the direct door to their classroom. Learners must keep left on corridors near Art, the LRC, and main toilets.
• SEND Passes: Adaptations (e.g., corridor or time-out passes) have been issued via BFL and must be used responsibly.

 

Clubs & Enrichment Opportunities

• PE Clubs (3:00–4:00 PM, Sports Hall): Mondays (Netball, Taekwondo) and Tuesdays (Football, Mixed Sports). Learners must bring a PE kit and water.
• Mental Health Champions: Interested learners should submit a short application paragraph with their name and form to the SEND office by Friday.
• Reading Culture Committee: Learners interested in shaping the library environment can register interest with their Form Tutor to pass to Mrs. Boults.
• Year 9 Career Trip: Visit to West Yorkshire Manufacturing Services in Brighouse on Thursday 24 September. Interested learners must email cdunkley@batleygirls.co.uk by Tuesday.

 

Curriculum & Reading Initiatives

• Big Question: "If everyone in the world were equal, should everyone be paid the exact same amount?" (Exploring equality vs. equity).
• Word of the Week: Intricate (adjective: very complicated or detailed).
• Reading Rewards: Teachers award ClassCharts 'reading rewards' for strong reading effort across all subjects. Weekly draws select 5 winners (Years 7–11) to receive a book from the school vending machine.

 

Year Group Focuses & Support

• Year 7: Focus on navigating to lessons independently. 100% attendance vouchers are available to skip the lunch queue.
• Year 11 Coaching: Targeted after-school coaching sessions begin throughout September (Maths, Arts, Sciences, Humanities, Languages, etc.). Invited learners will receive a home letter; attendance is mandatory to protect academic progress and reward eligibility.
• Year 11 Prom Committee: Applications opening shortly for the end-of-year celebration committee.

 

Safeguarding Team Contacts 

• Jenny Fox (Designated Safeguarding Lead / Y10–11 Link) – | jfox@batleygirls.co.uk
• Aejaz Laher (Deputy Headteacher / DSL) – | alaher@batleygirls.co.uk
• Kylie Hadaway (Safeguarding Officer / Y7–9 Link) – | khadaway@batleygirls.co.uk
• Salma Ilyas (Safeguarding Officer / Y11 & BG6 Link) – | silyas@batleygirls.co.uk
• Saira Farooq (Safeguarding & Attendance Officer) –sfarooq@batleygirls.co.uk