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A WELCOME BACK MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL | TERM 3

Dear Parents and Carers, 


Welcome back to the final term of our academic year. This is always a crucial period for learning, reflection and preparation. Over the coming weeks, students will be undertaking important assessments that will help us understand their progress and inform groupings, support plans and curriculum pathways for the next academic year. For our Year 11 students, this term marks the beginning of the GCSE examination season, an important milestone in their school journey. 


I would like to extend a heartfelt well done to all Year 11 students who attended the Easter revision sessions. Their commitment and willingness to use their holiday time productively have been admirable. My sincere thanks also go to our dedicated teaching staff who volunteered their time to support these focused students. 




High Standards and the Importance of Personal Responsibility 


As we return to school routines, I would like to reinforce the importance of maintaining our high standards, particularly around uniform and presentation.


These expectations are not simply rules, they help students develop self-discipline, pride and readiness for the future world of work, where employers place great value on punctuality, professionalism and personal presentation. 

Students who hold high standards for themselves build the positive habits that support success in further education, training and employment.


Thank you for ensuring your child arrives in full school uniform each day. Replacement ties can be purchased from the school shop for £7.


We also ask for your support in ensuring that acrylic nails, nail polish, facial piercings and other non-permitted items are removed before returning to school. 



Key Assessment Dates – Summer Term 2026 


Year 7

Parents Evening – Wednesday 29th April 2026 

Assessments – Tuesday 5th May – Friday 15th May 2026 

Year 8 

Assessments – Tuesday 5th May – Friday 15th May 2026 


Year 9 

Assessments – Monday 18th May – Friday 22nd May 2026 


Year 10  

GCSE Information Evening – Thursday 23rd April 2026 

First Set of GCSE Mock Examinations -Monday 1st June – Friday 19th June 2026

Year 11  

Start of GCSE Exam Period -Friday 1st May 2026 

Start of GCSE Exam Period -Friday 1st May 2026 

End of Key Stage 3 Celebrations 

Thursday 11th June 2026 – Celebration event recognising the transition of Year 9 into Year 10 and end of year presentation evenings for outstanding student achievement. 



Attendance and Punctuality 


High attendance and punctuality are essential to your child’s learning and long-term success. Every day of learning matters, and small amounts of missed time accumulate quickly. 


Research shows: 

  • Students with 95–100% attendance are twice as likely to achieve Grade 5+ in English and Maths at GCSE. 

  • Missing just 10 days of school reduces a child’s chances of success by 50%. 

  • Increasing attendance by 5% significantly improves the likelihood of achieving target grades. 

  • Students with 10% or more absence are at far greater risk of underachievement. 


Because of this, we place a high priority on supporting attendance and rewarding commitment to school. 


Attendance Rewards and How the System Works 


  • Every week, each child’s attendance is reset to 100% for our Weekly Attendance Hero Award. Any student who attends all five days that week is entered into a live prize draw, where one student from every year group is selected to win a £25 Widnes Eats voucher. 

  • At the start of each half term, every child’s attendance resets to 100% to give all students a fair chance to earn rewards. 

  • At the end of each half term, we recognise students with excellent attendance and high engagement. 

  • At the end of each full term (December, March and July), larger reward trips and events are available for all students who meet the criteria. 


Some parents have expressed concerns when their child repeatedly misses out. Periods of non‑attendance every half-term are not typical and may indicate an attendance concern. If your child is struggling, please contact us, we are here to help. 


If your child has a medical condition that impacts attendance, school should already be aware, and support plans will be in place alongside health professionals. If you need to update us or seek assistance, please reach out. 


Personal Development and Careers Opportunities – Summer Term


This term once again offers a rich and carefully planned programme of Personal Development, Careers Education and Catholic Life, ensuring every student is supported to grow academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually. 


Across the term, students will be engaging with a wide range of opportunities designed to broaden horizons, develop essential skills, and help them prepare for their futures. This includes: 


Careers, Pathways and Aspirations


  • Engagement with the Unifrog careers platform, enabling students to explore pathways, record skills, and access up to date labour market information. 

  • Careers advice and guidance assemblies, supporting students to make informed decisions about their future studies and career routes. 

  • Visits to and from local employers, colleges, and universities, allowing students to gain first-hand insight into the world of work and further education. 


Enrichment and Co-Curricular Opportunities 


We are proud to offer a wealth of enrichment activities, which play a vital role in developing confidence, teamwork, and resilience. Highlights this term include: 


  • Our annual end-of-year PGL trips, supporting character development, outdoor learning, and personal challenge. 

  • 32 co‑curricular clubs available across sport, performing arts, creative subjects, STEM, and personal interests—ensuring every student can discover something they enjoy and thrive in. 

  • Mission Week will take place from Tuesday 30th June to Friday 3rd July, culminating in an end-of-week celebration of Saints Peter and Paul. This week provides students with a valuable opportunity to focus on their personal development and engagement with Catholic life. 

  • The Duke of Edinburgh bronze award for our Year 9 students and silver award for our Year 10 and 11 students. 


Personal Development Curriculum 


Throughout the term, students will also continue their learning in key areas of personal development, including: 


  • Healthy relationships, respect for others, and developing positive communication skills. 

  • Understanding and living out our British Values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance. 

  • Online safety and awareness of how to keep themselves safe both digitally and within the wider community. 

  • Developing awareness of mental health, emotional wellbeing and the support available to them in school. 

  • Building key character traits such as resilience, perseverance, leadership and teamwork—skills essential for success both in school and in the future world of work. 


Catholic Life and Spiritual Development 


As a Catholic community, we also continue to prioritise students' spiritual growth and personal reflection. Throughout the term, students will take part in opportunities for: 


  • Prayer and collective worship 

  • Exploring themes of compassion, service and moral responsibility 

  • Deepening their understanding of how faith can guide them in daily life and decision-making 


As you are aware at Saints Peter and Paul it is central to our mission that we educate and nurture the whole child, preparing them not only for academic success, but to become thoughtful, resilient, compassionate young people ready to contribute positively to society. 



Working in Partnership 


Working in partnership with parents is absolutely key to ensuring the very best for our students. Your support, encouragement and open communication make a significant difference, and we truly appreciate everything you do. Please remember, we are here to help. If you or your child ever need support, guidance, or simply a conversation, do not hesitate to contact us. 


We also currently have a Parent Governor vacancy on our Governing Body. This is a rewarding opportunity to contribute to the strategic direction of our school.



If you are interested, please email Mrs Jennings at jenningsc@saintspeterandpaul.halton.sch.uk 


Thank you once again for your ongoing support. We look forward to a positive, productive and rewarding final term together. 


Yours faithfully, 



Mrs D. Scott 

 Principal 

 

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