Friday, 28 September 2018

28 September 2018

The school has released another short film, this one focusing on Bolton School's place in the wider community. Press the play button below or click this link to watch the film and see how pupils develop character, learning and empathy as they interact with the local community.


The Boys' Division has received a Platinum Artsmark. This standard mark acknowledges that arts and cultural provision in the school is of the highest standard. Two years of development across all areas of the arts led to this achievement, which recognises the work done not only in school but also in the wider community.


Local accountancy firm Cowgills launched their Future Stars Programme to an audience of Sixth Form students at Bolton School. This work experience opportunity gives two Year 12s the chance to experience the world of business and finance first-hand and gain valuable experience in all of Cowgills' departments.


Year 12 students in the Girls' Division worked on their business and enterprise skills on BEST Day. The girls took part in a series of four workshops designed to enhance attributes that are valued in the workplace, such as teamwork, creative problem-solving and presenting to an audience.


For European Day of Languages, the Boys' Division put together a film showcasing the many different languages spoken by pupils and members of staff. Press the play button below or click this link to watch it in full:


Year 10 pupil Lizzie Harkness has been named as a member of the England U15 football squad after attending Regional and National camps.

Over the summer holidays, Boys' Division pupil John Oxley-Harrison in Year 9 qualified individually for the Junior British Show Jumping Nationals. He placed 5th, making him one of the top showjumpers in the UK!


Many different areas of the School took part in the World's Biggest Coffee Morning on Friday, raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support.


On Thursday 4 October at 7pm, Old Girl Dr Joyce Tyldesley will give a free, public talk  entitled Nefertiti's Face. The talk will be based on her latest book Nefertiti's Face: The Creation of an Icon and should be relevant to anyone with an interest in Egyptology, archaeology, geography or visiting ancient sites. This is part of an ongoing series of Arts and Sciences Enrichment Evenings hosted by the Girls' Division.

Friday, 21 September 2018

21 September 2018

Today we unveiled another short film designed to offer a glimpse into pupils' experiences. Click this link or press the play button below to find out how each child can reach their potential through our wide range of curricular and extra-curricular activities:


This year's series of Enrichment Evenings hosted by the Girls' Division began with a talk on synthetic biology from Dr Jack Heal. 'Do Scientists Dream of Synthetic Sheep?' asked and attempted to answer some of the issues and ideas surrounding this rapidly developing $10 billion industry and was sprinkled with humour.


The Junior Boys raised an amazing total of £8,000 from their charity Fun Run at the end of the last academic year. The money will be split equally between four charities chosen by the boys. Alzheimer's Society was nominated by Crompton House pupils and boys were very pleased to present a representative with a cheque for £2,000.


Headmaster Philip Britton gave an assembly commemorating the birthday of Lord Leverhulme, Bolton School's benefactor. He spoke of him as a public figure and the wider accomplishments of the philanthropist.

Artwork by Year 12 student Lauren has been chosen to adorn the cover of the 2019 Specialist Crafts catalogue. 'Camden' was chosen from a field of national entries and was part of her GCSE coursework.


Also in Art news, Year 12 student Antonia was announced as the runner-up in the YPO Art Competition Secondary Category with her colourful portrait. Her work will be featured in the YPO catalogue.

Millie in Year 12 travelled to Poland with the Wales team to take part in the U20s European Lacrosse Championships, where her team achieved bronze.

The Samba Band spurred runners on as they completed the 5K course at Bolton Hospice's Bubble Rush event. Their carnival-style music helped to keep everyone's spirits up.


Well done to Year 7 pupil Zara who has been selected to join the Hallé Children’s Choir! She is now enjoying rehearsals and looking forward to her first performance.

The annual Volunteering Fair took place this week, helping to introduce our Sixth Form students to some of the many different ways they can give back to the local community. Students in Year 12 are encouraged to volunteer for at minimum of 20 hours before the end of the academic year, with many achieving far in excess of the target.


A gallery of photos is now available from last week's Girls Go Gold event. Click the link to see what happened throughout the day of the conference.

On 4 October at 7pm, Bolton School will host a talk from Old Girl and Egyptologist Dr Joyce Tyldesley. This will be based on her latest book, Nefertiti's Face: The Creation of an Icon. This event is free and open to the public.


Friday, 14 September 2018

14 September 2018

We have recently released two new films showcasing different aspects of Bolton School's all round education. First, discover the flourishing Creative Arts in the below video and see how pupils express themselves through music, art and drama:


Next watch this video to find out how Sport and Outdoor Learning play an integral part in the Bolton School experience:


With the start of a new school year, the Girls' Division once again celebrated pupils' achievements at Presentation Evening. The guest of honour was the Rt Rev Dr Jill Duff, an Old Girl who was recently appointed Bishop of Lancaster. She presented the prizes and gave a passionate address, telling girls to 'unfold your wings' and 'set the world on fire'. Watch her address in full here.


Girls Go Gold was hosted by Bolton School on Thursday. Olympic athletes Eilish McColgan and Beth Tweddle gave inspirational keynote speeches which provided the perfect frame for a day of discovering where sport can take you. The conference was arranged in conjunction with the GSA for pupils in Years 10-13 who are either elite sportswomen or studying PE.


The two keynote speakers at Girls Go Gold also found time to talk to younger girls in Years 6 and 7. Pupils were delighted to hear more about Eilish and Beth's experiences and the highs and lows of their careers, and even had the chance to hold their medals.


See how the story of Girls Go Gold 2018 unfolded at Bolton School via this Twitter Moment.

At the end of the first full week of term, staff at Beech House, Bolton School's infant school, were delighted to report that Reception children are settling in well.


The Junior Boys' Annual Review for the 2017-18 academic year is now available! Click here to download a digital copy of the Review.


Friday, 7 September 2018

7 September 2018

It's the start of a new school year at Bolton School, and we welcomed pupils and teachers back to the news that the 100 Campaign for Bursaries has reached its target of £5 million! The campaign was launched in 2015 as part of the School's 100th anniversary celebrations, and has been supported right across the School community. The money raised will help to provide deserving children with a Bolton School education. Click here to watch a video about the achievement, or press the play button below:


It has been a busy summer for Sixth Form student Sharon Daniel: not only did she complete her GCSEs and receive a stellar set of results, she also took part in the UK chess championships, winning at the Mega-Final and the Northern Giga-Final to win a place among the final 72 at the national Terra-Final!


At the end of last year, the Senior School Parents' Associations presented the School's Bursary Fund with a £10,000 donation. The money was raised at the hugely successful 1920s-themed Bolton School Ball 2018.


The Girls' Division will once again host the Historical Association: Bolton Branch lecture series. These talks take place on the first Monday of each month and feature a wide range of topics. Full details, including dates and information on each lecture, are available here on the School website.

Friday, 24 August 2018

24 August 2018

Students receiving their A Level and GCSE results recently celebrated their successes at Bolton School.

The Boys' Division enjoyed the best set of A Level results in a decade, with 52.4% of papers marked at A*-A! The Girls' Division received similarly excellent results, with the percentage of passes at A* rising to 15.9%. Five boys and two girls go on to study at Oxford or Cambridge, and numerous students in both Divisions combined their A Level studies with extra-curricular interests and achievements.


There was success on GCSE results day too. Almost half of papers in the Girls' Division were graded at 8 or 9, the equivalent to A* or better. Boys' Division pupils also excelled with 17.5% of papers marked using the new number system achieving the very top grade of 9.


Some of those pupils celebrating on GCSE results day were actress Charleigh, who has appeared in Coronation Street and Car Share, who achieved eleven top grades; twins Joseph and Oliver; and indoor climbing champion Zoe.

Over the summer, two pieces of artwork by Bolton School pupils were placed in the final 10 of the national YPO Art Competition Secondary Category! A watercolour featuring birds by Zainab Emritte and a portrait by Antonia Jameson are both in the running to win and both await the judges' final decisions.


Looking ahead to the next academic year, the Girls' Division will host a free, public talk from Dr Jack Heal: Do Scientists Dream Of Synthetic Sheep? Taking place in the Girls' Division Great Hall at 7pm on Wednesday 19 September 2018, this event will introduce the fascinating world of synthetic biology, sometimes called “genetic engineering on acid”.

Friday, 27 July 2018

27 July 2018

The academic year ended with lots of activities throughout Bolton School.

The results of a competition to name the Girls' Division science laboratories after famous female scientists were announced on the last day of term. Pupils nominated women who have made a contribution to their scientific field. The scientists chosen range from fossil hunter and palaeontologist Mary Anning to astrophysicist Jocelyn Bell.


On the last weekend before the end of term, the School hosted a spectacular re-enactment of a Civil War battle, which recreated 'The Storming of Bolton' for eager audiences. In blazing sunshine, costumed re-enactors from the Earl of Manchester's Regiment of Foote donned many layers of 17th Century clothes to show how people in Bolton would have lived and brought to life the conflict.


Staff and students from both Divisions enjoyed the the glittering delights of the MEN School Awards ceremony at the Manchester Hilton on Deansgate in Manchester. The School was one of the three finalists in the Secondary School of the Year category.

Year 12 pupils reflected on their volunteering efforts throughout the year at the annual Community Action Celebration. They were joined on the evening by Mr Barry Dixon, Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, who congratulated students for all they have done for their local communities and presented their awards for 20, 50 and 100 hours of service.


The whole of the Boys' Division took part in a 10 mile sponsored walk to raise money for a range of worthwhile causes during the last week of term. The biennial walk, which normally sees pupils climb Rivington Pike, was diverted due to the moor fires on Winter Hill and took boys on a new route.


Beech House held a collection in support of the emergency services and armed forces who battled the recent moor fires on Winter Hill. The families of pupils and members of staff donated a variety of items, including water, energy drinks and snacks.


The Battle of the Bands was held earlier this term. The event raised over £1,200 which has now been presented to Ross Smith, a young medical student who was involved in a climbing accident. The money will help to provide a wet room at his home and fund other mobility and personal care aids.

Sports Day in the Girls' Division saw pupils compete in a variety of track and field events, cheered on by their peers. The girls also delighted in watching the Staff Relay, which was extremely close this year, and raised money for Oxfam with donations.


In the Boys' Division, Sports Day saw the return of Tug of War after more than a decade's absence. Boys and their parents cheered on competitors from each of the four Houses throughout the afternoon. The spectacle culminated in the Relays and Tug of War finals.


Pupils enjoyed traditional competitions at the Junior Girls' Sports Day, including including egg and spoon and sack races. Girls competed on behalf of their House in a wide range of events, enthusiastically supported by teachers, fellow pupils and parents.


Boys' Division pupils in Wigan House collectively completed a 200km charity walk this term. They were raising money for two worthy causes: the Dominica Disaster Relief Fund, which inspired the distance, and PAPYRUS.

There was fun in the sun for girls in Year 3 on their Outdoor Learning Day. Staff created a carousel of team building and problem-solving challenges to give pupils an introduction to outdoor pursuits prior to their residential trips to Patterdale Hall in Lake District.


Year 6 pupils at the Junior Girls' School recently completed their English Speaking Board (ESB) examinations. They recited poems, read from novels and created interesting presentations on topics ranging from unusual pets to personal collections to passions such as Indian Dancing or Liverpool Football Club! Watch some of their presentations, readings and recitations via the links here.

The first ever Lower School Prizegiving was held to acknowledge the achievements of Boys' Division pupils in Years 7 to 9. Mrs Waller gave a review of the year which recapped successes in many different fields, and prizes and certificates were awarded for participation, accomplishment and development.


The Year 8 girls' Rounders team ended the season in high spirits after becoming the Town Champions! They were a strong team throughout the competition, and worthy winners.

A team of four Year 12 students in the Girls' Division took part in the North West Regional Biology Quiz. They experienced a day of challenging but fun activities at UCLAN, and ultimately achieved third place in the competition.


Students in the Girls' Division also did well in the Cambridge Lower Sixth Challenge in Chemistry, which stretches Year 12 students beyond the A Level syllabus. Three girls received Copper awards and Millie Wood achieved Silver.

The Nursery's 20th Birthday was celebrated with traditional party games, a raffle and other al fresco activities to take advantage of the brilliant weather.


Hollie in Year 8 has earned medals in two British Championships this year. The most recent was a bronze medal in free skating to add to her gold.

The theme for this year's Junior Girls' Photography Competition was 'A Splash of Colour' and pupils provided a dazzling array of very different photos for the judges. The four year group winners and the overall winner received a canvas print of their entry.


The boys in Year 6 put on an excellent performance of Aladdin as their end of year show. This colourful production, which was Mrs Lockett's last after more than two decades of directing the annual Year 6 play, delighted audiences with the boys' version of this traditional tale.


The Junior Girls' School Charity Afternoon saw Year 6 pupils take over the playground with a colourful array of stalls selling sweets, hosting games and offering a variety of pampering to younger girls. They even arranged a flash mob dance! The afternoon was held to support 15 charities chosen by Year 6.


The annual Celebration Evening for girls in Year 7 and 8 was an evening filled with joy. Girls performed a range of uplifting songs, thoughtful readings and beautiful music on the themes of exploring difference and celebrating uniqueness. Watch recordings of some of performances via the links here.


Boys in Year 12 took part in two Business Enterprise Skills Training (BEST) days to help them develop the skills and ways of thinking needed to succeed in the world of work. A carousel of activities, including an evening of interview practice, challenged students across the two days.

The Junior Girls put on their summer concert, which this year was Alice the Musical. This fast-paced retelling of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland bought the story to life with song, poetry and dance.


Children who will go on to school after the summer holidays celebrated their time at Bolton School Nursery with a lovely Leavers' Assembly. The children shared their memories, sang and danced for their audience of parents.


The Class of 2017 returned to Bolton School to impart the lessons learned to the current Year 12s. They shared their experiences of gap years and university and offered their 'top tips' for surviving and thriving after leaving School.

Old Girl Rt Rev Dr Jill Duff recently became the new Bishop of Lancaster. She was Consecrated at York Minster at the end of June, prior to her Installation Service which formally welcomed to her new Diocese at the beginning of July.

Last month, children at Bolton School Nursery celebrated Eid with delightful themed tea parties in each of the rooms.

Friday, 6 July 2018

6 July 2018

Bolton School hosted the Bolton Children's Fiction Award Ceremony 2018. All six of the shortlisted authors joined more than 700 pupils from local schools and Bolton School's Junior and Senior Schools for a morning of talks about their books, writing and the importance of reading. Old Boy Robert Parker then compered the Ceremony itself and announced the Younger Fiction and Overall winners to a very excited audience.


The guest speaker at the "hottest Prizegiving on record" was Old Boy Mr Stuart Brooks CMG. He drew on his thirty-two year career with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and current work at Chevron to fill his address with anecdotes and good advice. The evening was a celebration of all that Boys' Division pupils have achieved throughout the year.


Last weekend was busy for the Boys' Division. The school was involved in the Bolton Station Community Gala on Saturday 30 June. The school's young artists, musicians and actors provided entertainment and colour on the day, including a performance of 'My Room, My Bolton', a play specially commissioned from RoughHouse Theatre by the school and based on pupils' work around the Mass Observation Project.


On Sunday 1 July, the Boys' Division staged a museum takeover day at Port Sunlight. The event was titled The Leverhulme Festival, and involved a range of creative activities. These included arts and crafts workshops, musical performances, geocaching and a final outing for 'My Room, My Bolton'. The activities took place in several key locations across Port Sunlight.


Watch a short clip from 'My Room, My Bolton' here.

Watch a clip of the Guitar Quartet's performance here.

Girls' Division pupils in Year 8 enjoyed watching 'Mes Chers Voisins' (My Lovely Neighbours), a play entirely in French from Onatti Productions. The girls had fun watching and taking part in the interactive play while also working on their understanding of the language.


Bolton School's A Level and GCSE pupils' work was included in the Best of Bolton Schools' Art and Design Exhibition. Antonia Jameson won an Achievement Award and the Overall Winner prize at the event.

The Year 7 and 8 Athletics Teams in the Girls' Division were successful at the Town Championships. The girls coped well with the extreme heat and the teams finished second and third overall, with several girls becoming Town Champion in their events.

Ollie Evans in Year 6 at the Junior Boys' School has earned himself the Primary Engineer's Leaders Award for his invention, the 'Ollie Cap', which facilitates easy hair-washing and head massages. He collected his award at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in Oldham.