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 40

  Mon 19 Oct 2026

  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. 

   

  1. Upcoming Events & Key Dates:

  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:

  • Word of the Week: Skeptical (examining evidence and evaluating critical claims).
  • Idiom of the Week: "To take it with a pinch of salt". Learners can earn positive ClassCharts points by using these terms correctly in conversation.
  • Vending Machine Book Rewards: Teachers are awarding "Reading Reward" points on ClassCharts. Five learners from Years 7–11 will be drawn each week to win a book from the school vending machine.
  • Community Book Club: Learners in Years 10–13 are invited to join staff and community members to read and discuss this term's featured book (The Prison Healer). A session with lunch provided will take place on Thursday 26 November.

   

  2. Enrichment, Rewards & Opportunities

  • Mondays: Netball & Taekwondo
  • Tuesdays: Mixed Sports & Football

   

  3. 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).

   

  4. Year-Group Notices

  • Year 7: Focus on everyday readiness, building self-respect, and taking on new opportunities.

  • Year 8: 

  • Attendance Highlights: Form 8HSH won a 100% attendance reward cafe session. Form MHN led attendance charts
  • Key Events: Awards Assembly held on Wednesday to celebrate first-half-term achievements. "Brilliance Bucket" tasks are underway.

  • Year 9: 

  • Careers Fair Praise: Visitors commended Year 9 learners for asking thoughtful, mature questions during the fair.
  • Attainment & Conduct: 104 learners are currently in the "98 Club" for attendance. 250 Brilliance points and target attendance are required to attend the end-of-term reward event.
  • Year 10: Form Champions competition pauses this week and will resume after the break with an end-of-term reward for the winning form.
  • High standards for uniform, punctuality, and classroom focus are required through the final week.
  • Year 11 (Class of 2027) Subject Coaching Schedule:

  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

   

• Headteacher's Blog - Edition 39

  Mon 12 Oct 2026

  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. 

   

  1. Upcoming Events & Key Dates:

  • Building Updates: Amphitheatre works are on track to finish by the October half-term, with the space available for use shortly after. Construction on the new "Glass Corridor" will continue until February 2027

   

  2. Enrichment, Rewards & Opportunities

  • Monday (3pm–4pm): Netball & Taekwondo / Martial Arts (Sports Hall).
  • Tuesday (3pm–4pm): Mixed Sports & Football (Sports Hall).
  • Performing Arts: Annual School Show meeting (Room 74, Mondays at lunch) and Performing Arts Society (Tuesdays during reflection time).

   

  3. 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).

   

  

• Headteacher's Blog - Edition 38

  Mon 05 Oct 2026

  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. 

   

  1. Upcoming Events & Key Dates:

  • Building Updates: Amphitheatre works are on track to finish by the October half-term, with the space available for use shortly after. Construction on the new "Glass Corridor" will continue until February 2027
  • 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 good habits from the beginning).

   

  2. Enrichment, Rewards & Opportunities

  • Job of the Week: Illustrator (focusing on freelance structure, degree requirements, client briefs, and portfolios).
  • P.E. Clubs (2026–2027):
  • Monday (3pm–4pm): Netball & Taekwondo / Martial Arts (Sports Hall).
  • Tuesday (3pm–4pm): Mixed Sports & Football (Sports Hall).
  • Performing Arts: Annual School Show meeting (Room 74, Mondays at lunch) and Performing Arts Society (Tuesdays during reflection time).

   

  3. 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).

   

  4. Year Group Highlights & Upcoming Assessments 

   

  Year 8:

  • Achievement sessions on online safety and sharing photos.
  • Lunchtime quiet reading/writing session in Room 44 on Wednesdays.
  • Overall attendance reached 96.1% last week. 207 out of 231 learners currently have 100% attendance.

   

  Year 9:

  • Attendance was 94.71% last week (up 3% from prior week); overall year-to-date attendance is 93.6%. Form 9FSH/HPA was the week's attendance champion.
  • Achievement sessions focus on managing stress.
  • Launching a mentoring programme based on Year 8 academic progress and effort levels.

   

  Year 10:

  • Reminders on school uniform standards (tucking in shirts).
  • Form champions meeting in Room 41 to reveal new challenge results.