Read all about the latest news and activities happening, and reasons to celebrate our school in the below Headteacher's blog.
Continuing with the theme of last week's blog we were delighted to see so many exhibitors at our careers fair, with over 33 stands from a range of industries. It really did provide our learners with a comprehensive experience. A number of new firms attending represented the creative industries, which is an area our learners excel in. Anyone who visits school is always extremely impressed with the standard of artwork on display on our walls and of course the recent success of the school production Matilda really showcased the talents our learners have. Studying these subjects provides learners with the ability to creatively problem solve, enhances confidence when engaged in presenting facts or interacting with others and ultimately leads to higher levels of resilience and academic success. They perfectly complement the so-called academic subjects and help provide a firm bedrock of success for all.
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.
SMSC & Global Media Week: Learners are discussing topics centered around equity, pay equality, and the media's responsibility when reporting sensitive news.
2. Literacy & Oracy Challenges:
Mondays: Maths (including Walking-Talking Mocks in the Lecture Theatre), Photography, Art/Craft/Design.
Tuesdays: Computing, History (Week A), Geography (Week B).
Thursdays: Sport Studies, Fine Art, English (invited cohort).
Fridays: MFL (French, Spanish, Urdu).
Science Coaching: Suspended until Wednesday, 4 November
Careers guidance and events has long been recognised as a real strength within school and continues to be so under the leadership of Amneet Mehat who has built on the legacy of Iffat Ahmad. Currently, Amneet is busy organising our Careers Fair, inviting employers and educational providers to our Exam Hall for all learners to think about possible next steps and understand what is required to access these.
Last week, Amneet presented at the National Westminster Careers Conference and was able to share the various strategies we operate in school. Amneet’s career plan is comprehensive and is replicated by departments as can be seen in the image below from Design Technology. Amneet has worked hard to maintain our monthly careers breakfasts, where learners have the opportunity to attend a briefing by a variety of business representatives (often alumni of the school). This provides real inspiration for our learners and highlights just what is possible for them. They are always well attended despite their early 8am start.
If you do need some further information regarding careers and advice or could offer an opportunity for our learners, please do contact the school and ask for Amneet Mehat.
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.
We were very fortunate this week to receive a visit from Harrison Gration well known Bass - baritone opera singer who has performed roles such as il Frate in Don Carlo at Grange Park Opera, Fasolt in Das Rheingold with Tundi Productions, and the title role in Gianni Schicchi. Harrison has links to our Trust through More in Common Foundation and was very generous in giving up his time to visit our school.
During his visit Harrison was treated to a performance from our learners from the recent Matilda production and was then able to outline his journey to becoming a professional performer. We certainly value the benefits that creative subjects provide our learners with, enabling them to develop transferable analytical skills, identify patterns, enhance confidence when speaking within a group and of course developing those all important team work skills. All this equips our learners for the next steps in their careers, even if these are outside the creative industries.
Gary Kibble
The points below summarise the information shared with learners this week.
4. Year Group Highlights & Upcoming Assessments
Year 8:
Year 9:
Year 10:
Last week we received some inspirational news regarding a selfless act from one of our Year 7 learners. They received high praise from the Yorkshire Ambulance Service after coming to the aid of an injured cyclist. Showing maturity and compassion beyond her years, our learner stayed by his side to ensure he was comfortable, safe, and not left alone during the distressing ordeal until emergency services arrived.
After learning that the injured gentleman had not eaten all day, they went to a nearby takeaway and purchased food for him using their own pocket money.
A paramedic responding to the emergency call from the Yorkshire Ambulance Service was so moved by their actions that they reached out directly to the school to ensure her selflessness was recognised. The paramedic noted that the patient was immensely grateful for the care, describing the gesture as a wonderful example of how a small act of kindness can have a significant and lasting impact on someone else’s life. We are very proud of their actions and will be recognising this in school.
Gary Kibble
The points below summarise the information shared with learners this week.
General Guidance: Due to ongoing site works, all learners must follow directional signs and strictly keep to the left in corridors.
4. Year Group Highlights & Upcoming Assessments
Year 7: Congratulations to 7SJO/AAL for top attendance (100%) and 7ZBO for leading positive points. Weekly 100% attendance winners receive lunch queue skip passes.
Year 8 & 9: Year 8 achievement focus is on Motivation & Employability. Year 9 learners are focusing on Managing Stress, with a low-effort/high-progress mentoring program launching soon.
Year 10: Congratulations to the newly elected Form Champions.
Year 11 Key Dates & Assessments:
We are looking forward to inviting members of our school community and prospective learners into school on Thursday 24 September for our annual open evening. This is an exciting time to showcase our site with some significant building projects on the go. As ever such work means some short term challenges for some significant long term gains. In particular our amphitheatre work is progressing well and will provide a much needed covered, spacious social area that our learners deserve, as can be seen at the end of this blog.
All are invited to attend.
Gary Kibble
The points below summarise the information shared with learners this week.
General Guidance: Due to ongoing site works, all learners must follow directional signs and strictly keep to the left in corridors.
The Chemistry Assessment will cover the following 5 key topics:
Note: There is no coaching on Thursday 24 September due to the school Open Evening.
|
Day of Week |
Subject(s) |
Autumn Term Start Date |
|
Monday |
Art, Craft and Design |
14 September |
|
Photography |
14 September |
|
|
Mathematics |
28 September |
|
|
Tuesday |
Computing |
15 September |
|
Geography |
29 September |
|
|
History |
6 October |
|
|
Wednesday |
Science |
16 September |
|
Thursday |
Fine Art |
10 September |
|
Sport Studies |
17 September |
|
|
English |
1 October |
|
|
Friday |
MFL (French, Spanish, Urdu) |
18 September |
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:
Positive & Negative Points on ClassCharts
Learners earn or receive points based on three core values:
Attendance & Movement
Clubs & Enrichment Opportunities
Curriculum & Reading Initiatives
Year Group Focuses & Support
Safeguarding Team Contacts
School has come alive this week as we welcome back our learners from the summer holiday break. Once again we have had record numbers applying and attending bg6. Being able to take many of our learners from 11 to 18 is a real privilege and we are delighted so many want to remain with our school community. Change is the watch word this half term and year as building work starts at last to remove the RAAC and develop our school facilities. This does mean some changes to movements around the school, but these short term challenges will be worth it. More updates and images to follow on this over the half term.
Attendance remains a key focus for us and has been perfectly illustrated with our GCSE exam results this year as illustrated in the table below:
| Attendance | No of days absent | Average Grade | % Chance of passing English and Maths |
| 92% - 90% |
15 -20 days (96- 140 lessons missed) |
4 | 68% |
| 80%-89% |
21- 40 days absent (147 -280 lesson missed) |
3 | 38% |
| 9% - 70% |
41 - 60 days absent (287 - 420 lessons missed) |
2 | 33% |
Please support your daughter by ensuring all appointments are made outside school time and encourage them to develop the resilience required to attend school everyday. Everyday does really count when it comes to achievement and gaining the core qualifications to enable our learners to access the next steps in their educational careers.
Gary Kibble
The points below summarise the information shared with learners this week.
A transparent 4-stage classroom system ensures clarity and fairness:
| Stage | Action / Outcome |
| C1: First Misbehaviour | Quiet verbal reminder (unrecorded). |
| C2: Second Misbehaviour | Verbal correction; learner may be moved. Recorded on ClassCharts. |
| C3: Third Misbehaviour | 30-minute after-school detention; parents/carers notified via ClassCharts. |
| C4: Fourth Misbehaviour | Removal to Reflection room; parents/carers notified via ClassCharts and call. |
Positive Rewards: Points are earned on ClassCharts under three key areas: Respect Self (resilience/creative learning), Respect Environment (tidiness/care), and Respect Community (collaboration/positive citizenship).
The final Headteacher blog of this academic year and yet again we have a week that is packed. The appropriate finale will be the Year 9 graduation, appropriate in that we are the point in the academic year when learners think about KS4 and the subjects they have selected, in a week when a number of staff (including myself) will be attending their own children's university graduations. We know just how significant a date this is for you as parents.
The criteria to graduate is significant and as you would expect focuses on the approach in lessons and attendance. Everyone has had the opportunity to reach these standards, but not all will; a lesson in itself to illustrate the actions needed in KS4. The ceremonies will take place over two days as indicated below :
Graduation Ceremonies:
Note: Graduating learners will have an early lunch from 12:20pm to 12:45pm to get into their gowns. Learners not participating will attend normal lessons.
We look forward to seeing parents and carers there.
Thank you for your support this year.
Gary Kibble
Important Notices for the Holidays
As the holidays approach, learners are reminded of the 5 Ways to Wellbeing: Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning, and Give.
A comprehensive list of support helplines has been provided for families over the summer break, including:
Yet another action packed week has passed and it is important to highlight the tireless work of staff to make sure a range of activities are organised so well. Following the success of the Year 13 prom we were able to enjoy the Year 11 prom. As always our learners arrived looking very elegant and their conduct throughout the evening was impeccable, all were fantastic ambassadors for the school.
On Tuesday, we saw the largest visit in a number of years leave the school, with 500 learners visiting Alton Towers as a reward for their Brilliance Bucket activities. Central to this was of course good attendance and sadly attendance following the visit was far from good at below 90%. As always we review activities and their success. In this case we responded to learner voice, offered a larger visit, but sadly it did not have the impact we would have liked. We will now focus on smaller, more frequent rewards to encourage and recognise the efforts of learners through the year.
Gary Kibble
Information for Parents & Carers
It was fantastic to invite the parents of our new year 7 intake to school on Thursday to outline the routine for those learners about to join our school community. I was also grateful to members of our Stronger Together Parent Forum who attended to support and talk to our parents about the importance of these events and how to become an active member of this forum. We will share dates of the new forum meetings via the website so please come along if you can. We very much value this group and the impact they have in school.
Despite the hot weather restrictions we were also able to run a smaller ‘Step into the Future Event’ with BGHS learners only. Our local MP Kim Leadbeater attended and was happy to take questions from our learners on a variety of topics. As ever our learners did not disappoint with some tricky questions posed. We are grateful for the time Kim gave up to attend and for the central message she was there to reinforce that “we have more in common than that which divides us.” With cooler weather now forecast we can return to normal uniform and school routines.
Gary Kibble
Information for Parents & Carers
Homework Reminders
Extra-Curricular Enrichment & Key Events
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