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 20

  Mon 23 Mar 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:

   

  Attendance and Rewards: "Boost Week"

  • Double Points: This week is a "Boost Week" where learners can earn double attendance activity points by being in school every day from Monday 23 March to Friday 27 March.
  • Rewards: Learners can earn bonus chocolates and stickers this week. Premium points for extra activities can be added by Mr. Scurr in the LRC on Mondays at breaktime.
  • Impact: The school emphasises the strong link between high attendance and better exam results and future earning potential.

   

  Personal Development & Community

  • Earth Hour: Learners are encouraged to participate in Earth Hour this Saturday by switching off non-essential lights from 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM.
  • Career Focus: The "Job of the Week" is an Aquaponics Technician, highlighting the skills of science, animal welfare, and data analysis.

   

  Reading & Competitions

  • Vending Machine: Learners showing excellent effort in reading can win a book from the school’s vending machine.
  • 26-Word Manifesto: A competition is running where learners write a 26-word statement on the theme "What I won't be quiet about".

   

  Key Dates:

  • Year 8 Parents' Evening: Thursday 16 April.
  • Year 9 Enterprise Event: Wednesday 25 March (fundraising for charities).
  • Year 9 Pathways Interviews: Starting this week to help learners with future choices.

• Headteacher's Blog - Edition 19

  Mon 16 Mar 2026

  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 and Rewards

  • Boost Week (March 23–27): To encourage attendance, learners  in school for all five days this week will earn double attendance activity points. This is likely the final "boost" of the year to help learners qualify for the Big Day Out and reflects the importance of good attendance. 
  • The Brilliance Bucket: Learners earn 20 points for 100% weekly attendance and 10 points for completing a weekly "Brilliance Activity". These points contribute toward VIP status (Bronze to Platinum) and various prizes.
  • Premium Points: Extra activities can be logged for "Premium Points" at the LRC on Mondays during breaktime.

   

  Academic Expectations

  • Homework: All tasks and deadlines are now set via Class Charts. Please note that late or poor-quality homework may result in a "Study and Support" (SAS) detention.
  • Career Focus: This week’s "Job of the Week" is a Speech and Language Therapist, highlighting the importance of achieving Grade 5+ in English and Maths.

   

  Community and Wellbeing

  • Wellbeing: The school is promoting "5 Ways to Wellbeing": Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning, and Give.
  • Sustainability: Learners are being encouraged to be mindful of litter and to reduce the use of single-use plastics both in school and the local community.

   

  Extra-Curricular Activities

  • PE Clubs: Weekly clubs include Volleyball and Taekwondo (Mondays) and Mixed Sports and Darts (Tuesdays).
  • Art Club: Held on Mondays for Key Stage 3 (Years 7–9). Parents must provide consent via ParentPay.
  • Reading Rewards: Five learners per week from Years 7–11 win books from the school’s vending machine based on their reading effort.

• Headteacher's Blog - Edition 18

  Mon 09 Mar 2026

  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

   

  Key Dates and Attendance Boosts

  • Boost Week (March 23 – 27): To encourage high attendance, learners who attend school for all five days this week will receive double attendance activity points.
  • Big Day Out: Points earned during boost weeks help learners qualify for the "Big Day Out" visit.

   

  Rewards and Achievements

  • Reading Awards: learners displaying excellent effort in reading or vocabulary can earn "Reading Awards". Five winners are selected weekly from Years 7–11 to choose a book from the school’s vending machine.
  • Positive Points: Each year group tracks "Community Positives" awarded for character, creativity, community, connection, and collaboration. The top five learners in each category are entered into a prize draw at the end of each term.
  • Year 8 Challenge: Any Year 8 learner who receives 50 or more positive points in a single week will receive a special prize.

   

  Support and Environment

  • Sustainable Schools: This week is "Switch Off Week," where learners are encouraged to save energy by switching off lights and appliances when not in use, both at school and at home.
  • Safeguarding: A reminder for all learners to be kind to themselves and others.
  • ICT Support: If your child has issues accessing technology for homework, please contact Mrs. Hendry at mhendry@batleygirls.co.uk.

   

• Headteacher's Blog - Edition 17

  Mon 02 Mar 2026

  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

  • World Book Day Activities: The school is celebrating World Book Day with several initiatives, including the "Read Around Your School in 80 Books" challenge, the "Subject Traitors" investigation, "Subject Squid Games" in the Learning Resource Centre (LRC), and a "Decorate a Door" competition. Learners are also invited to donate to Book Aid International on Thursday 5 March.
  • Teen Mental Health Day: Learners were reminded that all emotions are part of life and that there is always someone they can talk to if they face difficulties.
  • SMSC (Social, Moral, Spiritual, and Cultural) Focus: Learners learned about the Hindu festival of Holi, which celebrates the arrival of spring, the triumph of good over evil, and the importance of equality.
  • Job of the Week: The featured career this week is "Sleep Technologist," which requires Grade 6+ in English, Maths, and Science to pursue A-levels in Science.

   

  Academic and Behavioural Expectations

  • Attendance: High attendance is highlighted as essential for academic achievement, exam success, and future earning potential. The school is aiming for an overall attendance target of 98%.

   

  Year Group Highlights

  • Year 7: The year group celebrated high attendance and lots of positive achievements points. Learners  were reminded of the importance of wearing lanyards and ID cards.
  • Year 8: Learners are participating in the "Green Britain" challenge and "Modestars" school survey. 
  • Year 9: The year group is celebrating reaching the final of the "King's Trust Enterprise Challenge". Teachers are currently finalizing Attitude to Learning (ATL) grades and progress checks.
  • Year 10: The "Form Champions" competition is underway, with a "champions brunch" event prize available for the winning form.
  • Year 11: The focus remains on consistent positive contributions, with top-performing learners in various categories (Character, Creativity, Community, Connection, and Collaboration) recognized for their efforts.