Headteacher's Letters

Dear Parents & Carers

I wish you all the very best for a healthy and happy New Year! I extend a warm welcome to the start of the Spring term. I look forward to a positive and productive term ahead.

Catholic Life and Mission

Epiphany

Epiphany

Our opening whole-school assembly marks the Feast of the Epiphany, celebrated on the twelfth day of Christmas on 6th January. On this day, we remember the visit of the Three Kings, also known as the Wise Men, who followed the star to Bethlehem and brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the infant Jesus. The Feast of the Epiphany reminds us of the importance of journey, discovery, and recognising what is truly valuable. It encourages us to reflect on how we can show generosity, kindness, and openness as we begin a new term together.

Archbishop’s Visit to School

We are honoured and delighted to welcome the Archbishop of Liverpool, the Most Reverend John Sherrington, to our school on Thursday 15th January 2026. During his visit, the Archbishop will celebrate a whole-school Mass, tour the school, and bless the Stations of the Cross in the Chapel, as well as visit the Garden of Hope. We very much look forward to welcoming Archbishop Sherrington and sharing this special and significant occasion with our school community.

Year 7 Parents’ Evening

Parents and carers of students in Year 7 are warmly invited to attend the Year 7 Parents’ Evening on Thursday 22nd January 2026, from 4.00–6.30pm. No appointments are necessary. This is a valuable opportunity to meet your child’s teachers, discuss how they have settled into secondary school, and receive an update on their progress and next steps. Your involvement is vital in supporting your child’s learning, and we strongly encourage all families to attend.

Year 9 & 10 Examinations

A reminder that Year 9 examinations will begin on Monday 12th January 2026 and Year 10 examinations will start on Monday 19th January 2026. I hope that all students in Years 9 and 10 are working hard and revising thoroughly in preparation so that they achieve to their potential. I wish every student the very best of luck in their forthcoming examinations and encourage them to approach their revision with focus, determination, and confidence. The upcoming Year 9 examination results will provide a valuable indication of which subjects may be most suitable for students to choose for their GCSE options. This information will help guide students and parents in making informed decisions about the next stage of their education. For Year 10 students, the examination results will offer the first insights into how well they have settled into their GCSE and vocational courses. These results will highlight areas of strength and identify subjects where additional focus or support may be beneficial as students continue their studies.

Year 7, 8 & 11 Examination Outcomes

During the first two weeks of term, we will be reviewing examination outcomes for Years 7, 8, and 11. Parents and carers received Data Checks just before Christmas. Some students have performed exceptionally well and others have consistently demonstrated a positive attitude to learning throughout the term. Students who have achieved outstanding results will receive letters of congratulation. For students whose results were below expectations, additional support will be put in place to help them improve. Parents and carers will be invited to meet with pastoral staff to discuss strategies and ensure that every student receives the guidance and support they need to succeed. We are committed to celebrating achievement while supporting all students to reach their full potential.

Attendance & Examination Performance

Having analysed the recent examination results for Years 7, 8, and 11, it is clear that attendance has a significant impact on academic performance. Students with attendance of 95% or higher consistently achieve substantially better results than those with lower attendance. In Years 7 and 8, students who have missed more than three days in the Autumn term have achieved 7–10% lower examination scores compared with their peers with higher attendance.

In Year 11, the impact is even more pronounced. Among students with attendance below 95%, the average proportion achieving Grade 4 or above in English and Maths is 42% lower than those with higher attendance. These findings highlight the importance of regular school attendance and the direct link between being in class and academic success. Below are some specific examples from individual subjects.

Dates for your diary

Holiday Dates

Thank you for your ongoing support at this term.

Yours sincerely

Mrs M. Henshaw

Headteacher