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Every Opportunity for Excellence
Batley Girls High School home page
Every Opportunity for Excellence

Headteacher's blog

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 5

    Mon 17 Nov 2025

     This week sees a change in our weather from the insistent rain we have had to a drop in the temperature. Having a warm coat to wear to school obviously helps to ward off any illnesses or infections, but we recognise in school that this is an extra cost for parents. We have circulated on our website information from a range of organisations that can help with this and other cold weather costs, which include:

     

    Uniform Exchange: https://www.uniform-exchange.org/free-school-uniform/ which is running a big winter coat give away.

    Kirklees Council support  

    Kirklees Council have a range of assistance to support, for more information please follow the links: Cost of living | Kirklees Council  and Local Welfare Provision | Kirklees Council  

     

    We are also a referral for Batley Food Bank and will sensitively  support families who may need this assistance.

     

    Equally if you don't require help, but would like to support these charities please do get in touch with them to make a donation. Everything goes to help our local community.

     

    Gary Kibble

     

    šŸ“£ Key Opportunities & Enrichment

     

    Learner Careers Champion (LCC) - Years 7-10

     

     Learners in Years 7-10 have an exciting opportunity to become a Learner Careers Champion to help support careers by representing their form group and driving change.

    • Benefits: LCC Job Description, Certificate, Careers Badge, support with careers events, and regular meetings with the Careers Team.
    • Action: Apply by Friday 21 November by emailing a letter of interest stating why they would be a great candidate to careers@batleygirls.co.uk.

     

    Clubs and Activities Survey - Years 8, 9, 10 

     

    Learners in Years 8, 9, and 10 are encouraged to complete a survey to have a say in the extra-curricular clubs and activities offered at school. The survey also asks what barriers prevent learners from joining in, so the school can work to make activities more accessible.

     

    Universal Children’s Day (Thursday 20 November)

     

    To celebrate Universal Children's Day and promote children’s rights, learners are asked to design a piece of A4 artwork during form time, featuring a right they believe all children should have. This artwork will be displayed on a new 'Rights wall' (artwork should be taken to room 35).

     

    'ELEVATE' Curriculum Reminder (Years 7-9)

     

    Learners in Years 7-9 are reminded to check the daily timetable, specifically for 'Week 2', to ensure they attend their ELEVATE sessions.

     

    The Brilliance Bucket is our local school challenge designed to encourage our learners to undertake a variety of activities in school and within their community. Each activity is allocated a specific number of points. Learners who complete extra 'Brilliant Activities' can get their Premium Points added by Mr. Scurr in the LRC during Monday breaktime. Please discuss with your child the challenges they have completed or would like to complete in the future.

  • Headteacher's Blog - Edition 4

    Mon 10 Nov 2025

    Following a very busy first week back in school following the holiday we have another action packed week. Thursday 13 November 2025 is the key date for your diary as we invite learners, parents and carers into school for our BG6 Open Evening. Please come along and speak to staff about the exciting range of courses, extra curricular opportunities and of course personalised support in our very own rapidly growing sixth form provision.

     

    Careers education is a real strength here at BGHS thanks to our dedicated staffing team. Recently one of our Year 11 learners successfully applied and completed a one week work experience at a local Leeds based accountancy firm. This was an amazing achievement given the vast majority of applicants were sixth form learners. More details will follow on this with a transcript from this learner about her experience, needless to say we are very proud of their achievement and the manner in which they represented the school.

     

    Gary Kibble 

     

    Key Academic and Development Updates

     

    Curriculum Focus: The ELEVATE Program (Years 7-9)

     

    The ELEVATE curriculum has been introduced for learners in Years 7-9 to help develop resilient, confident learners. Please remind your child to check the daily timetable to ensure they attend all of their sessions, which supplement their main curriculum timetable.

     

    Attendance and Achievement

     

    There is a strong link between Attendance and Achievement. With rates of illness now thankfully falling please support us in encouraging your child to attend school every day. As we know:

     

    • Data shows that learners who are in school tend to achieve better exam results, have more options in later life, and have greater earning potential.
    • If your child is experiencing a problem that is affecting their attendance, they should discuss it with their Form Tutor, Achievement leader, or a Teacher.

     

    Enrichment and Extracurricular Opportunities

     

    Learner Careers Champion (LCC)

     

    An exciting opportunity is available for learners in Years 7-10 to become a 'Learner Careers Champion' (LCC).

    • Role: LCCs will represent their Form Group, share ideas, and drive change regarding careers events.
    • Incentives: Learners receive an LCC Job Description, a Certificate, a Careers Badge, support with careers events, and regular meetings with the Careers Team.
    • How to Apply: Learners should email a letter of interest detailing why they would be a great candidate to careers@batleygirls.co.uk.
    • Deadline: The application deadline is Friday 21 November 2025.

     

    Reading and Literacy Clubs: Please encourage your child to come along.

     

    • Community Book Group (Years 10, 11, 12, 13): The next meeting is on Thursday 20 November at lunchtime in the Lecture Theatre. The term's book is Songbirds by Christy Lefteri. Lunch will be provided, and Learners will receive 'Brilliance Bucket points' for attending. Learners should get a copy from Mrs. King (room 92).
    • Reading Culture Committee: The second meeting is scheduled for Monday 24 November at 8:30 am in the LRC. Learners who wish to join should inform their Form Tutor, who will pass their name to Mrs. Sawyer.

     

    Community Points Competition

     

    Learners win 'Community points' for their Community groups within their form through various challenges and activities. Prizes are awarded for the winning community each term.

     

  • Headteacher's Blog - Edition 3

    Mon 03 Nov 2025

    It is great to welcome all learners back to school following the half term break and as you can see there is a lot going on in school in this first week. Attendance remains our priority and for those learners and families who were hit with the recent viruses circulating the area, now is the time to catch up on missed work and push attendance levels back up to the expected successful level of 98%.

     

    We are very much looking forward to welcoming year 13 parents and carers into school on Thursday to meet subject staff and discuss progress, offer advice and review those all important next steps. Following on from this will be our BG6 Open Evening which will take place on Thursday 13 November starting at 16:30. Please come along and look at what we offer in our rapidly expanding BG6 offer. 

     

    The details below highlight information shared with learners this week.

     

    Gary Kibble 

     

    šŸ“¢ Upcoming Events & Opportunities

     

    • Year 8 Celebration Assembly: This event has been rescheduled for Thursday 6 November (For learners only).
    • Reading Culture Committee Meeting: Learners interested in shaping the school's reading culture are invited to attend the first meeting on Wednesday 5 November at 8:30 AM in the LRC. Interested learners should inform their Form Tutor, who will pass their name onto Mrs. Sawyer.
    • Community Book Group (Years 10-13): The book group will meet on Lunchtime, Thursday 20 November, in the Lecture Theatre. The book this term is 'Songbirds' by Christy Lefteri. Lunch will be provided for attendees.
    • Extra-Curricular Clubs Survey: The school is launching a "Your Clubs, Your Choice" survey to find out what new extra-curricular clubs and activities learners would like to see on offer. This week is Year 8’s chance to complete the survey.

     

    šŸ“š Academic & Attendance Reminders

     

    • Year 9 Progress: Progress grades, Attitude to Learning Scores (ATLS), and reports are currently being collated and will be distributed in the next two weeks.
    • Curriculum (Years 7-9): A reminder for learners to check the daily timetable for the 'ELEVATE' curriculum sessions (look for Week 2 on the timetable).
    • Homework & Class Charts: Homework is set on Class Charts. Failure to submit homework on time or to a high standard will result in a 'Study and Support' (SAS) detention.
      • ICT Access Issues: If learners have a problem with ICT access to complete homework, please contact Mrs. Hendry at mhendry@batleygirls.co.uk.
    • Attendance: The school emphasizes the strong link between attendance and achievement. The school target for attendance is 98%.
      • The 98% Club criteria is 98% attendance or above PLUS 2 or less negative logs.

     

    ⭐ Learner Recognition & Rewards

     

    • Brilliance Points: Learners who have completed extra Brilliant Activities can receive Premium Points from Mr. Scurr at the LRC on Mondays at breaktime.
    • Community Competition: Learners are competing to win Community points for their community groups. The winning community each term will receive a prize.
    • Reading Vending Machine: Learners can win a book from the vending machine by earning a 'reading reward' on Class Charts for showing an excellent attitude/effort towards reading and/or vocabulary. Five learners from Year 7-11 are selected to win each week.
  • Headteacher's Blog - Edition 2

    Mon 20 Oct 2025

    Another busy week in school as we approach the end of school. We were delighted to invite Split Second Productions into school for their road safety workshop which year 7 enjoyed. Please support our efforts by parking safely and considerately in the local area. 

     

    We have also held our annual careers fair which was well attended by a range of employers and educators helping our learners think carefully about their next steps. Careers education remains at the heart of what we do and is a real strength for our school.

     

    Illness has been a challenge last week, please encourage your child to return to school as soon as they are able. As highlighted in the information below, attendance to school is the single most important factor determining successful progress in their courses.

     

    The details below highlight information shared with learners this week.

     

    Gary Kibble 

     

    General Notices (All Learners)

     

    School Ethos and Rewards

     

    • The Batley Girls' Brilliance Bucket emphasizes that brilliance starts in the classroom and can lead to future opportunities.
    • Learners are encouraged to achieve 30 positive points this week.
    • The school's positive rewards system is based on the 5 C's (Character Education), rewarding a learner's attitude and attributes as a well-rounded person rather than just academic skill.
      • Creativity: I wonder, curiosity.
      • Connected: I feel emotional literacy.
      • Community: I belong, empathy.
      • Collaboration: I choose, social skills, self-regulation.
      • Character: I am and I can, self-awareness and resilience.
    • Learners with the most points for each 'C' at the end of the half-term will be rewarded.
    • Demonstrating the attributes associated with the 5 C's earns positive points.

     

    Attendance: Attend & Achieve

     

    • There is a strong link between Attendance and Achievement.
    • Data shows that being IN SCHOOL leads to better exam results, greater life choices, and improved earning potential.
    • Punctuality is important: missing 15 minutes of lessons per day is equivalent to 8 school days per year.
    • The school's attendance goal is to aim for 98%.
    • If a problem is affecting your child's attendance, they should discuss it with their group tutor, Achievement Leader, or a teacher for support.

     

    Homework Reminders

     

    • Homework is set on Class Charts. Parents should be able to view tasks and deadlines there.
    • Failure to hand in homework on time and/or to a high standard will result in an H1 (first warning) and a phone call home, with a second chance given.
    • A second failure to hand in homework (even on the extended deadline) to a high standard will result in an H2 (second warning) and a 30-minute detention.
    • If there are ICT access problems for homework completion, please contact Mrs. Hendry at mhendry@batleygirls.co.uk.

     

    Other General Information

    • There is a slight change to the club's schedule. The PE Clubs 2025-2026 schedule includes:
      • Monday: Netball (3 pm-4 pm, Sports Hall) and Mixed Sports (from 3 pm-4 pm) for all years.
      • Tuesday: Football (3 pm-4 pm, Sports Hall) for all years.

     

    Year Group Specific Notices

    Years 10 & 11 Notices

    • Following up from the careers fair, there is information regarding apprenticeships.
    • A key clarification is that although some material suggests applying in November, learners need to wait until after their examinations and apply in the Summer Term for Apprenticeship vacancies.

     

    If you have any further questions about the information contained in this blog, please contact the school.

     

  • Headteacher's Blog - Edition 1

    Mon 13 Oct 2025

    This blog provides a summary of key activities, academic updates, and successes that are shared with our learners each week. Thank you to members of our highly successful parents forum who suggested this would be helpful for all parents and carers. Of particular interest this week would be to take the opportunity to talk to your child about the careers fair and the stands they visited including any notes they made. Careers is a very strong aspect of our outstanding personal development provision and our team led by Mrs Sawyer and Mrs Mehat takes a lot of pride in ensuring we have a wide range of providers attending on the day. 

     

    The Brilliance Bucket continues to be a key driver for rewards in school, heavily weighted towards attendance and recognising the benefits of high attendance. Please see the information below regarding points for 100% attendance to school.

     

    Gary Kibble

     

    Key Upcoming Events & Notices

     

    • Careers & Higher Education Fair: The fair will be held on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, for Years 9, 10, and 11. Learners were advised to prepare by reviewing the shared booklet and preparing questions on entry routes and qualifications.
    • World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) Challenge: Key Stage 4 (Years 10 & 11) learners were invited to participate in a creative challenge to raise awareness about responsible antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance.
    • Personal Development Focus: The bulletin highlighted World Sight Day (October 9, 2025), with the message to take care of your eyes.

     

    Academic & Curriculum Expectations

     

    • Homework Management:
      • Homework tasks and deadlines are set and viewable on Class Charts. Please ask your child to log in to help them manage their time and review the homework set.
      • Failure to hand in homework on time or to a high standard can result in a 'Study and Support' (SAS) detention.
    • Literacy Expectations: To ensure high standards, all work should show:
      • Dates and titles underlined with a ruler and spelt correctly.
      • Correct use of capital letters, full stops, and punctuation.
      • Corrections made neatly in a purple pen.

     

    Attendance, Rewards, and School Culture

     

    • Attendance & Achievement: There is a strong link between attendance and achievement; attending school regularly can lead to better exam results and earning potential. The school target for attendance is 98%.
    • Brilliance Bucket Points: Learners can earn points weekly:
      • 20 points for 100% attendance.
      • 10 points for completing one Brilliant activity.

     

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Awards

Trust Adress

  • Batley Girls’ High School
  • Windmill Lane, Batley
  • WF17 0LD
  • Batley Girls’ High School is part of Batley Multi Academy Trust, company number 07732537, a Company incorporated as private limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales and an exempt Charity. Registered Office Blenheim Drive, Batley, WF17 0BJ.