Read all about the latest news and activities happening, and reasons to celebrate our school in the below Headteacher's blog.
Following an extended holiday period we are delighted to have returned to school this week ready for the start of a busy term. This is a particularly pressured time for our year 13 and 11 learners as their exam period starts in earnest. On this note we were fortunate to secure the services of a local ‘lifecoach’ who has worked this week with some of our year 11 learners. The focus on recognising that certain aspects of our life can be stressful and how we can develop mechanisms to manage this. Important future life skills, but certainly something to help our learners about to sit external exams.
Of course for our younger year group high attendance (above 95%) is crucial for their success and we continue to be dismayed when families take extended breaks. Please avoid disadvantaging your daughter by taking holidays, visits or appointments in school time. We know that learners double their chances of securing at least a grade 5 or higher in English and Maths if their attendance is above 95%. Please support us and them by encouraging your daughter to be in school every day.
This summary highlights key information for parents from the Batley Girls' High School bulletin for the week of April 13, 2026:
We welcome all learners back this week following the Eid celebration that many of our families will have been enjoying. To help bring our community together in unity and reflect on the rest of the year we will be hosting an Eid Fair for all learners in school. We are grateful for all the hard work of staff who have used their time to help coordinate this event and to local businesses who have supported us with their time and produce.
I know following the success of last year's fair all staff and learners will be looking forward to visiting this and to finishing this half term on a celebratory note. Of course this is also about promoting attendance and coupled with the fair we have the Brilliance Bucket booster points. Attendance is something we need all parents to support as high attendance = high achievement.
The details below highlight information shared with learners this week.
Gary Kibble
Here is a summary of the learner bulletin for the week commencing Monday 23 March 2026, designed for parents:
Key Dates:
Over the past week we have marked two significant days; International Women’s Day and Mother’s Day. While one honors the global achievements of women and the other celebrates the nurturing figures in our personal lives, both are rooted in a shared appreciation for the resilience, courage, and leadership of women, a pertinent message for our learners here at Batley Girls’.
One figure who perfectly embodies the spirit of both International Women’s Day and Mother’s Day is the late Jo Cox. Jo remains a profound inspiration to us all. A global advocate for women’s rights and humanity on the world stage, yet she was also a devoted mother. Her ability to balance a fierce commitment to public service as the MP for Batley and Spen; with the nurturing love of a parent, reminds our learners that they do not have to choose between having a professional impact and a personal legacy—they can lead with both strength and heart.
As we approach the end of this week we would like to wish all members of our community Eid Mubarak and we will look forward to a shared celebration with our learners on Monday 23 March at our Eid Fair.
The points below summarise the information shared with learners this week.
Gary Kibble
Whole School Updates
Attendance continues to be our key area of focus and is at the forefront of many of our learners minds as well. Having undertaken some learner voice in school around attendance and reasons for absences, we were surprised by at least one of the comments made. Learners who have good attendance (above 98%) commented that they were frustrated at times in lessons where teachers are having to spend time explaining items that others had missed because they had been absent. We know that attendance below 95% means that learners are twice as likely not to achieve a grade 5 in their core subjects of Maths and English. These comments highlight the negative impact on others of poor attendance. Please support us and your daughter by encouraging attendance to school every day.
The points below summarise the information shared with learners this week.
Gary Kibble
Last week we were notified that a group of year 9’s who had taken part in the Kings Trust Enterprise Challenge had been selected for the finals, competing against five other Yorkshire based schools. We are of course incredibly proud of their achievement, supported by Mrs Casson. This is just another example of the passion and maturity our learners have in these events, consistently making finals and impressing with their thoughtful comments, diligence and desire. Similar success has been achieved in the Historical Society debating competition with one year 11 due to attend the finals and Green Britain Challenge cohort competing this week across our Trust.
The points below summarise the information shared with learners this week.
Gary Kibble
Whole School Updates
We are delighted to welcome back learners this week following the half term break. Many of our learners will be observing Ramadan, fasting through the school day. To support this, we have split our dining room facilities to provide a no food space for learners to use. We were also pleased to welcome Moulana Aslam Seedat (Chaplain for the Mid Yorkshire Trust) to school today to talk to our learners about Ramadan and how to manage this with commitments in school and at home.
At the same time we have a number of our learners who are supporting our Parent Forum members as they organise our Eid Fair due to take place on Monday 23 March. If you can support with either time or donations please do contact Mr Laher of Miss Aswat who are coordinating events.
The points below summarise the information shared with learners this week.
Gary Kibble
Attendance and Achievement
There is no let up in school life as we approach the end of this half term. We wish all our year 11 learners good luck as they start their second round of PPE exams over this week to help us target specific interventions required to help boost their grade. Support at home to provide a quiet study space will of course help establish positive routines for the real exam. Linked to this will be good attendance this week and over the next few months before the formal exam season starts.
Year 7 will also be taking part in some environmental work in our local area to help ensure it is a positive environment for all as well as learning about the importance of recycling and the damage litter can cause to our environment. Finally I know our learners will be looking forward to a well-earned break and we wish all our families an early Ramadan Mubarak.
The points below summarise the information shared with learners this week.
Gary Kibble
Academic and Literacy Focus
This week starts with some very positive news from our local MP Kim Leadbeater following the contribution of our learners at the recent Youth Parliament. BGHS learners were also mentioned as excellent spokes persons attending a careers event over the weekend. This reflects the importance placed upon oracy and debating skills within school, with one of our year 11 learners completing this week in the semi finals of the Historical Association Great Debate. We have an excellent track record in this with previous learners reaching the final. All wonderful key skills that will help our learners move onto successful careers after their time with us.
Gary Kibble
The points below summarise the information shared with learners this week.
Despite a slightly shorter week last week we packed plenty in. We were very pleased to host a PIXL Open Classroom event, inviting colleagues from different schools to look at the various strategies we are implementing in school to enhance the provision for our learners. The highlight was of course our fantastic learner leaders who made a real impression with their passion and maturity in presenting ideas. Year 12 level 2 learners were invited to the very first Inspire 2026 to listen to a range of inspirational speakers, hosted by Luke Staton, we were also pleased to invite year 11 learner parents into school for the parents consultation evening. Finally we were delighted to receive an acknowledgement from Bridgid Phillipson of the fantastic work of staff and learners to secure their grades in the summer of 2025. A great way to end the week. Details can be found here on our CEO’s blog.
The points below summarise the information shared with learners this week.
My assemblies last week focused on the inspirational woman Bouchra Baibanou who is the first North African woman to scale all of the seven highest peaks in the world. Her story is one of courage, determination and above all seeking to challenge herself and others to seek out new experiences. The challenge posed to our learners is to seek something new to challenge themselves with, either academically or socially and to overcome any setbacks that occur.
The points below summarise the information shared with learners this week.
Key Educational Themes & Personal Development
Careers & Opportunities
School Routines & Notices
Learner Recognitions:
For any questions or more information
Please click here to get in touch