Read all about the latest news and activities happening, and reasons to celebrate our school in the below Headteacher's blog.

• Headteacher's Blog - Edition 16

  Mon 23 Feb 2026

  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

  • Impact on Results: Please remember there is a direct link between attendance and GCSE performance. For example, a learner with 98% attendance achieves an average grade of 7, while a learner with 89% attendance will on average achieve a grade 4.
  • Attendance Boost Week: To encourage high attendance, learners who are in school every day from Monday 23 March to Friday 27 March will earn double attendance activity points toward the "Big Day Out".
  • Support: Parents are encouraged to discuss any issues affecting their child's attendance with group tutors or achievement leaders so we can mitigate any fall in the number of days learners are in school

   

  Academic and Literacy Expectations

  • Literacy Standards: We expect all learners  to use rulers for underlining, use correct punctuation and capital letters, and use purple pens for corrections. Please support us by reviewing your child's books. 
  • Homework: All homework is now set on Class Charts. Failure to hand in high-quality homework on time will result in a "Study and Support" (SAS) detention.
  • Reading Rewards: Teachers are awarding "Reading Awards" on Class Charts for excellent effort in reading or vocabulary. Five winners across Years 7-11 are selected weekly to win a book from the school's vending machine.

   

  Extracurricular Activities focus on Science Club.

  • Science Club: A weekly club runs from February through March 2026 on Tuesdays. Upcoming activities include:
    • February 24: DNA sweet models
    • March 3: Making fossils
    • March 10: Making crystals
    • March 17: Chromatography.
    • March 24: Cheek cells and microscopes

   

  Learner Recognition

  • Positive Points: The bulletin celebrates the "Top 5" learners in each year group (Years 7-11) for categories such as Character, Creativity, Community, Connection, and Collaboration.
  • Community Groups: Points are also tracked for the school's community groups (e.g., Betty Boothroyd, Jo Cox, Rosa Parks).

  

• Headteacher's Blog - Edition 15

  Mon 09 Feb 2026

  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 

   

  Key Events and Dates

  • National Apprenticeship Week (Feb 9–13): This week's theme is "Skills for Life". Learners can explore apprenticeship displays in the Learning Resource Centre all week. On Wednesday 11 February, LLS Sports College will visit to discuss careers and coaching pathways.
  • Attendance "Boost Week" (Mar 23–27): To help learners qualify for the "Big Day Out," double attendance activity points will be awarded for full attendance during this week.
  • Year 8 Events: A small group will also visit Leeds University for the "Leeds to Success" day, a great opportunity to see what possible next steps are open for our learners.                                                       

   

  Academic and Literacy Focus

  • Literacy Expectations: The school continues to emphasize high standards, including underlined dates and titles, correct punctuation, and neat presentation. Exceptional effort can earn "Reading Awards" and the chance to win a book from the vending machine. Please take the time to review your daughter’s books to help us reinforce these standards
  • Homework: A reminder that all tasks are now set on Class Charts. Please note that failure to submit high-quality homework on time may result in a ‘Study and Support’ (SAS) detention.
  • Word of the Week: This week’s word is "Vigilant," meaning to keep a careful watch for difficulties.
  • Personal Development: Learners are celebrating "International Day for Women and Girls in Science," highlighting global progress in STEM fields.

   

  Learners Recognition

  • Top House Points: For the week of Feb 2, Rosa Parks led the community positives, with Rosalind Franklin leading the year-to-date standings.
  • Attendance Leaders: Notable 100% attendance was achieved by several forms, with Form SSW (Year 9) reaching a perfect 100% last week, congratulations to them.

• Headteacher's Blog - Edition 14

  Mon 02 Feb 2026

  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.

   

  Key Events and Dates

  • Pathways Day & Evening: This is a major event for Year 9 learners to make their course choices. Pathways sessions will run on Tuesday 3 February during periods 1, 3, and 4.
  • Rewards Assemblies: The Year 8 rewards assembly is scheduled for next week.
  • Year 7 "Show and Tell": Taking place this Tuesday.
  • Anti Bullying Posters: Year 7 entries must be submitted before the holiday break.

   

  Academic & Attendance Expectations

  • Attendance Target: The school target is 98% attendance. Data shows a strong correlation between high attendance and exam achievement, please do not book non emergency appointments in school time and encourage resilience in your daughter to attend every day to maximise their progress.
  • Punctuality: Year 7 has been noted for high numbers of "late to school" negatives; parents are encouraged to help learners set alarms 10 minutes earlier.

   

  Rewards and Opportunities

  • Brilliance Bucket: Learners are aiming for 300 points to qualify for the "Big Batley Day Out".
  • Reading Awards: Teachers award "Reading Rewards" on Class Charts for excellent effort; five weekly winners across Years 7–11 can choose a book from the vending machine.
  • Premium Points: Learners can visit the LRC on Mondays at break to have extra "Brilliant Activities" added to their totals.
  • Job of the Week: This week’s focus is on becoming a Pet Behaviourist, requiring at least a Grade 4 in GCSE English, Maths, and Science.

   

  Curriculum Themes

  • SMSC & Personal Development: The bulletin highlights Groundhog Day and Candlemas (Monday 2 February), exploring their historical and religious origins.
  • Financial Literacy: A "spot the difference" exercise focused on "shrinkflation," showing learners how a 5g reduction in chocolate bar weight represents an 11% price difference.