For the last two years learners in Year 7 have been involved in producing a research project that is presented to other schools, their leaders and a research committee panel from the Girls’ School Association. This year the topic has been on gender inequality in the media, with our learners teaming up with girls from Norwich High School for Girls’. In completing this report our learners were able to enhance their ability to work in a team, write in a formal manner, enhance their research skills and of course present formally to an external audience.

 

Their findings highlighted the need for greater coverage of women's sport, as well as  for enhanced training pathways for women entering the creative industries, specifically media and technology. Their report has now been uploaded to the GSA website here and is well worth a read. We are of course very proud of all of them.

 

Special thanks to Mrs Goddard and Mrs Boults who coordinated this and supported the girls throughout.

 

If you want to read about the other brilliant things that are happening in Batley, please read the Trust's CEO blog here: https://www.batleymat.co.uk/stream/news/full/1/-//

 

Gary Kibble 

 

The points below summarise the information shared with learners this week. 
 

1.Key Achievements & Projects

• Year 7 Media Research Project: Produced in collaboration with Norwich High School for Girls and presented to the Girls’ School Association. The study highlighted the need for increased coverage of women's sports and better training pathways in media and tech
• Public Speaking & Oracy Workshop: Following a Highly Commended award at the Historical Association Great Debate 2026, bg6 learner Afeefah Daji teamed up with Mrs Sawyer to plan and lead a workshop for 15 Year 9 and 10 learners.
• Learner Leadership Shortlist: Several learners across Years 7–11 have been shortlisted by Achievement Leaders for interviews to share ideas for driving BGHS forward.

 

2.Curriculum & Learning Standards 

• SMSC Debate Question: Focuses on pay equality versus equity, asking whether everyone should be paid the same or if equity is more important.
• Word of the Week: Accomplishment (Noun: something achieved successfully through effort or skill).
• Idiom of the Week: "Start as you mean to go on" (establishing high standards and routines early). Learners earn ClassCharts points for using the word or idiom in context.

 

3.  Enrichment, Rewards & Opportunities

Book Vending Machine: Learners earn "Reading Reward" points on ClassCharts for strong reading and vocabulary effort across all subjects. Five learners per week from Years 7–11 win a book via a weekly draw.

PE Clubs (2026–2027):

• Mondays: Netball & Taekwondo (All Years, Sports Hall, 3 pm–4 pm).
• Tuesdays: Mixed Sports & Football (All Years, Sports Hall, 3 pm–4 pm).

Performing Arts: Meeting for the annual school show on Monday at lunchtime (Room 74). The Performing Arts Society will meet every Tuesday during reflection time.

 

4. Attendance & Safeguarding

• Attendance Target (98%+): High attendance directly correlates with academic success and future opportunities. Missing just 15 minutes per day equates to 8 full days of lost learning per year.
• Attendance Bands: 100% (Perfection), 98% (Impressive), 96% (Good), 95% (Nearly There), 94% (Needs Improvement), 90% (Concern), 85% (Serious Concern - support plans provided).
• Safeguarding Contacts: Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) Jenny Fox (Y10/11 link), Deputy Headteacher Aejaz Laher, and Safeguarding Officers Kylie Hadaway (Y7–9), Salma Ilyas (Y11/BG6), and Saira Farooq (Attendance).

 

5. Specific Year Group Notices

• Year 8: Online safety and photo-sharing sessions; International Equal Pay Day assembly on Friday. Quiet reading/writing space available Wednesday lunchtimes in Room 44 with Mrs. Casson. Overall year group attendance reached 96.1% last week.
• Year 9: Achievement sessions focusing on managing stress. A new mentoring program is launching for identified learners to build academic progress skills. Overall year group attendance reached 94.91%.
• bg6 Sixth Form: Open Evening on Thursday from 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm for Year 11 learners to explore post-16 courses and options.