Read all about the latest news and activities happening, and reasons to celebrate our school in the below Headteacher's blog.
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:
This week, learners are focusing on "World Logic Day" (Wednesday 14 January) exploring the importance of critical thinking in the age of AI. It is certainly something that all members of our school community need to manage carefully. Even in this ever developing technological world, the weather has the capacity to disrupt as we found last week. We have worked closely with the providers of our bus services to agree on an adverse weather route to limit disruption to school. We will communicate to all parents when this adverse route will be instigated through e-mail and text message. Please note that we will not use any forms of communication such as whatsapp, messages shared through these other formats will not be from the school.
Gary Kibble
The points below summarise the information shared with learners this week.
Key Academic & School Notices
Career & Enrichment Opportunities
Important Dates & Contact Info
Happy New Year to all and we are of course excited to start this new term following the recent holiday. Attendance and punctuality remain our key focus and we appreciate the support of all parents and carers in ensuring our learners attend school every day and arrive on time. Establishing these routines will lead to positive habits over the year and we know that high attendance (over 98%) results in excellent outcomes and progress.
The points below summarise the information shared with learners this week.
As we approach the end of a very busy half term we can all look forward to a range of rewards and experiences to finish the half term on a high. As noted below we are rewarding specific forms for each year group with a film event to recognise their collective efforts to maintain their attendance. Good attendance to school remains the single most effective method to achieve the highest grades. Learners with more than two days' absence this term will already be below the magical figure of 98% that statistically supports achievement in line with their targets.
The end of term will also finish with our traditional staff pantomime that all learners enjoy. Staff have been rehearsing for a number of weeks to maintain standards and we are delighted to see the return of a previous member of staff to support the production. Please make a note of the slightly earlier finish of 13:30 on Friday to allow us to support this event.
Gary Kibble
The points below summarise the information shared with learners this week.
School Events & Learner Rewards
As the holidays approach, learners and parents are reminded of important safety information:
Year 11 have successfully navigated their Pre Public Exams and can now look forward to Thursday where they will have the chance to sample life in our sixth form. Staff have organised the day so everyone has the chance of tasting some lessons in areas they are interested in, plus enrichment activities. Applications for BG6 will also close at the end of this term so it is important for all our learners who want to apply that they complete this application before we finish next week. We guarantee every BGHS learner a place if they meet the criteria of their chosen courses.
Gary Kibble
The points below summarise the information shared with learners this week.
Key Notices and Logistics
Academic and Key Dates
|
Year Group |
Announcement |
Action Required |
|
Year 8 |
Learner Reports were sent home. |
Reports were sent out on Friday (w/c 01.12.25)6. |
|
Year 10 |
Parents and Carers Evening is scheduled for this week (w/c 08.12.25). |
Please attend to get important feedback. |
|
Year 11 |
BG6 College Taster Day is on Thursday 11 December 2025. |
Learners must complete the Google Form to select their pathways, subjects, and enrichment sessions immediately. |
Literacy and Personal Development
November has come and gone in what seems like incredible speed as we enter the last month of this half term. Traditionally December is very busy with year 11 and 13 both sitting their Pre Public Exams, both important for UCAS and college application forms. Applications for BG6 will also close at the end of this term so it is important for all our learners who want to apply. We guarantee every BGHS learner a place if they meet the criteria of their chosen courses.
Gary Kibble
The points below summarise the information shared with learners this week.
We will be highlighting this important day, encouraging learners to develop an understanding of modern slavery.
A very positive week was had last week as we were fortunate to have the support of governors, local business leaders, BGHS Alumni and staff to conduct mock interviews with year 11 learners. Without fail all visitors to the school were very complementary about our learners and the preparation they had undertaken for these interviews. This annual event is of course only possible thanks to our supporters and the hard work of our careers team. This will of course place our learners in a strong position for those important college interviews. The next step on this journey starts today with our PPE exams. An important milestone and something we will use to guide learners onto appropriate post 16 courses, many of which will be with us in BG6.
Gary Kibble
🏆 Rewards, Recognition, and Competition
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
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.
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.
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:
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).
Reading and Literacy Clubs: Please encourage your child to come along.
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.
For any questions or more information
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