Global events in June 2020 brought to the forefront of everyone's mind the issue of systemic racism with Black Lives Matter protests taking place around the world. Bolton School's current pupils, members of staff and alumni were vocal in condemning racism in all its forms and the Foundation committed to undertaking a thorough review of current practices in order to evaluate where changes are necessary. Read the School's statement on Black Lives Matter here.
The Heads also responded to an open letter from a group of Alumni asking that the School consider its educational provision in the light of the Black Lives Matter protests. Read both the response and the Alumni letter here.
As school closures continued, end of term events across the Foundation went virtual.
The Boys' Division Prizegiving became an online assembly, streamed to an audience of pupils, parents and staff members who were encouraged to join in with singing at the appropriate point in the programme. Further musical accompaniments were also part of the ceremony as usual and the Headmaster gave his Review of the Year as well as 'presenting' the awards and prizes. Links to watch all parts of the Prizegiving are available here.
The Senior Boys also held their Arts Award Celebration online. This included a round up of Year 7's work towards their Bronze Awards, followed by the presentation of the usual prizes in a virtual format. There was creative industry input from Old Boys Jonny Ashton, a TV documentary maker, Robin Partington, an architect, famously of the Gherkin, and Mark Radcliffe, TV and radio broadcaster, author and musician. A celebration summary video was also shown as part of the programme.
More Boys' Division virtual assemblies, concerts and celebrations can be viewed via the following links:
The smooth transition to online learning has helped to boost interest in the Infant, Junior Girls' and Junior Boys' Schools towards the end of the academic year. The seamless learning was made all the more effective by the provision of iPads to all pupils aged 7 and above.
Pupils undertaking Gold, Silver and Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Awards were congratulated for giving over 8,800 hours of voluntary service to their local communities between 1 April 2019 and 31 March 2020. They received certificates and the school's hearty congratulations.
Year 5 pupil Isabelle McCarren has won the national Wombles Eco-Schools Primary Competition with her comic! Pupils across the UK were asked to complete a cartoon strip depicting how litter endangers the countryside and wildlife. Isabelle's drawing was the overall winner and she was even congratulated by Great Uncle Bulgaria himself! She will also have the chance to meet her favourite Womble, Orinoco, next term when he visits the Junior Girls' School with an Eco-Schools team.
Before the summer holidays, the Boys' Division published its 2020-21 Creative Learning Programme. Designed to drive school-wide arts and culture participation as well as broad creative engagement in the local community and region, the programme provides information on enrichment activities within and beyond the curriculum.
Ms Lord, Director of Creative Learning and Partnerships in the Boys’ Division, has been named one of eighteen committed professionals on the Royal Opera House Bridge's national Leaders for Impact programme. She is delighted to be part of this year-long project, which seeks to progress professionals' impact upon cultural learning and practice. Ms Lord is also a Specialist Leader in Cultural Education in the School via Curious Minds.
After twenty seven very successful years, Bolton School's 'in-house' coach service, BSS Coaches, is ceasing to trade. From September, the School will enter into a partnership with Tyrers Coaches to deliver the twenty school coach routes and transportation for many of the school’s other activities will also be provided by third parties.
