28 June 2019

Congratulations to Year 13 student Viola, whose 15-hour A Level final examination piece has been awarded a prize at the Best of Bolton Schools' Art and Design Exhibition. Boys' and Girls' Division students in Years 10 to 13 also contributed to the exhibition.

Well done also to girls studying biology at A Level and GCSE. The Sixth Form achieved the Girls' Division's best ever results in the Biology Olympiad, while Year 10 pupils received a clutch of certificates in the Biology Challenge.

The Young Artists' Collective in the Boys' Division were asked by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) to create artwork to be displayed at Horwich Parkway train station. The boys, who are in Years 7 to 10, produced nine pieces reflecting the themes of sport, industry, transport and the environment which have now been unveiled on the platform.

The Parents' Association Future Entrepreneurs (PAFE) competition challenged Girls' Division pupils in Year 9 to come up with healthy snacks and then create business plans based on their ideas. The four best concepts went forward to an exciting final judged by an external panel. Congratulations to this year's winning team, DOC Industries.

Boys' Division students in Year 12 recently took part in BEST: Business Enterprise and Skills Training. This annual event aims to develop their skills and abilities ready for the workplace and involved a series of workshops, talks and sessions across two days.

Trainee teacher Niall Gaffney, who undertook his SCITT (School-Centred Initial Teacher Training) at Bolton School, has been shortlisted for the Manchester Evening News Student Teacher of the Year Award. The winner will be announced at the MEN's School Awards next Friday.

21 June 2019

The Girls' Division Middle School Production this year was 'Grease'. Pupils in Years 7 to 9 put on a brilliant show with their version of this famous musical, with amazing performances from the principal cast and some amazing dancing from the ensemble.

A group of musicians from the Boys' Division formed part of an orchestra delivering the Royal Northern College of Music's (RNCM) Wind, Brass and Percussion Festival, 'Soundscapes of Heaven and Earth'.

Old Girl Lisa Jacobs (nee Griffiths) returned to Bolton School this week to offer her career advice to the next generation of young businesswomen. She recapped her own impressive career and gave Girls' Division students four key pieces of advice for their future.

Pupils in Year 6 at the Junior Boys' School learned cycling proficiency as part of a Bikeability course. The scheme, which is run by Bolton Council, aims to ensure life-long skills of safe cycling are ingrained from a young age and to encourage a healthy lifestyle.

Boys' Division parents are warmly invited to enjoy a new piece of theatre on Tuesday 2 July. Wastelands has been devised by the School's Theatre Company in Residence, RoughHouse Theatre, and boys from Year 10–12. For tickets, contact Miss Lord via email (nrl@boltonschool.org).

14 June 2019

Bolton School was delighted to win the IDPE Fundraising Campaign of the Year award for the 100 Campaign for Bursaries, which successfully raised £5 million for the School's Bursary Fund between 2014 and 2018. The Award was decided based on voting from other IDPE member schools.

A team of four pupils took part in the Salters Festival of Chemistry at Manchester University. The girls competed in two challenges across the course of the day, and their near-perfect rainbow made from liquids of different densities won them first prize in the University Challenge!

Children in Year 2 used their imagination to enjoy a Victorian day at the seaside this week. They learned about holidays in the past as part of the workshop and were able to watch a funny Punch and Judy show.

Talented Boys' Division artists in Years 8 and 9 joined Caroline Slifkin to consider the horror of genocide and create mixed media responses. The workshop considered in depth the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda and the Bosnian genocide.

Finally, the Boys' Division Sport Department has once again achieved the School Games Gold Award.

7 June 2019

Bolton School was delighted to welcome Old Boy Sir Ian McKellen back to School before half term! He and around 30 of his peers enjoyed an 80th birthday lunch before he took to the stage, treating the whole School to a truncated performance of his national touring show. In the evening, he was whisked back to the Arts Centre for a surprise party with famous actors, writers, pop stars and friends.

The annual Junior Boys' Fun Run once again filled the Senior School sports field with colour as boys dressed up in costume to raise money for charity. This year, pupils supported Macmillan Cancer Support, Make a Wish UK and the RSPCA and expect to raise thousands.

Another fundraising venture recently presented the money raised to a deserving charity. Battle of the Bands this year supported Daytrippers Bolton and raised over £1,400.

Medical Mavericks posed the questions 'Where can I work in the awesome NHS?' to Year 8 girls when they visited to reveal the more than 350 varied roles available. The presentation involved 'The Human Guinea Pigs Show' and helped pupils to explore how bodies work while also discovering different careers open to them in the health service.

Old Girl Christine Morrison returned to Bolton School to speak to Year 10 girls about personal safety. She now runs CMA Training, a personal safety and crime prevention consultancy, and was able to offer great life advice about a range of safety issues, places where they may be vulnerable and how to reduce risk.

Child Safety Week at Bolton School Nursery helped children in the Caterpillars and Butterflies rooms to learn more about the emergency services and people who help others. Visitors included a PCSO, a dentist, a paramedic, the Fire Service and a lollipop lady.

The School's collection of inspirational sporting memorabilia was augmented by a donation from
Gus Pinker, multiple Olympic and Commonwealth Official and FINA Technical Water Polo Committee Member. A group of alumni who are now senior international water polo players gratefully received his Beijing Olympics Officials Blazer on behalf of the School.

Children at Bolton School Nursery celebrated Eid with a special tea party.

Pupils in Year 2 at Beech House Infant School recently enjoyed a trip to the Anderton Centre for a day of outdoor adventures!

Some new galleries are now available on the School website, capturing a flavour of the fun pupils have at Patterdale Hall! Click here to see our Year 6 Junior Boys enjoying a gorge walk and here to see our Year 5 Junior Girls spending time on Lake Ullswater and in the grounds.