Monday 26 September 2016

23 September 2016

Former newsreader Selina Scott was the guest speaker at this year's Presentation Evening at the Girls' Division. She provided an inspiring address to pupils, covering the many lessons learned in her career, and the girls were delighted to receive their awards from her. The Headmistress, Sue Hincks, praised pupils achievements over the past twelve months, and the Chair of Governors, Michael Griffiths, gave a brief summary of the past year.


Selina Scott's full address can be viewed here.

Old Boy and Judge Roy Battersby returned to the Boys' Division to address the School as part of the 2016 Tillotson Lecture Series. His address on the subject of the Magna Carta and the foundation of Human Rights was both fascinating and informative, and touched upon many contemporary issues, including the current plight of refugees and migrants.


This year, as part of the Boys' Division's 500th Anniversary celebrations, the annual Tillotson Lecture is being conducted as a series of talks running throughout 2016.

The School recently hosted the ISFA Soccer Sixes Tournament. This season opener was played on the Levels and saw twenty-four teams, including Bolton School pupils, enter the competition.

The Joint Samba Band provided entertainment for runners and spectators at the Bubble Rush 5Km run which aimed to raise funds in support of Bolton Hospice.


Over the summer holidays, Year 13 pupil Adam had an article on climate science published in The Young Scientists Journal. His piece focuses in detail on the pros and cons of clean energy production in the UK, with a huge amount of research behind the facts discussed.

GCSE and A Level students attended an enlightening lecture on 'Alternatives to Animal Testing' by Dr Laura Waters from the University of Huddersfield. Dr Waters discussed animal testing for the development of cosmetics but focused her talk on the pharmaceutical industry, where this form of testing is required. She brought up some interesting avenues of discussion and looked at the alternatives that are now being developed to reduce animal testing.


On 13 October, Bolton School will host a free lecture given by historian, author and broadcaster Suzannah Lipscomb. This talk, titled 'Leadership Lessons from the Tudors' promises to be a fascinating evening, particularly useful to GCSE and A Level pupils studying History but also of interest to those with a love of history. The lecture is open to the public and full details can be found here.


This week's Inspiring Mind is George Lancashire. He was a member of the Boys' Division staff from 1943 to 1983 and is remembered as an inspirational teacher by the pupils of that era. His profile includes reminiscences from Old Boy Andrew Palmer, who talks of a man who helped to define the essence of the school, and the tribute to George written for The Boltonian on his retirement.

Friday 16 September 2016

16 September 2016

There is plenty of news from the holidays and the beginning of term to catch up on as the first full week of the new Autumn Term draws to a close.

Pupils in both Divisions celebrated excellent examination results on A Level Results Day this year.

The Girls' Division saw an increase of pupils achieving 3 A*/A grades or better, with 16.2% of grades were at the very highest level of A*. The vast majority of girls will go on to their first choice of university and four are set to progress to Oxford or Cambridge.


In the Boys' Division there was a slight improvement on the previous year, with 22.5% of papers being graded at A* - the second best achievement since that grade began. Four boys will go on to study at Oxford or Cambridge, with a large majority progressing to their first choice of university as a result of their grades.


On GCSE Results Day, the story was again one of success in the Boys' and Girls' Divisions. 99% of pupils in both divisions achieved the benchmark of at least 5 A*-C grade.

The Boys' Division saw 25% of papers graded at A*, with one boy receiving 12 A* grades and seven more pupils receiving 10 or more A* grades.


Pupils in the Girls' Division celebrated an improved percentage of A* and A grades at GCSE, with over 71% of grades at A* or A grade. Two thirds of the girls achieved at least eight A or A* grades. Six girls achieved 11 or more A* grades.

Seven pupils who attended the SHINE 'Serious Fun on Saturday Mornings' Programme at Bolton School have now become Year 7 pupils in the Senior Schools! They met up a the start of term to reminisce about the enriching and inspirational experiences they enjoyed at SHINE sessions.


The Boys' Division has committed to increase its arts provision with the aim of achieving the highest level of Artsmark Award. These awards celebrate schools which champion the arts and also give access to high quality, practical resources and networks. The School is already at the Gold level, providing a diverse range of arts and cultural experiences for all pupils, but is hoping to achieve Platinum over the course of the next two years.

The Year 9 boys began their Shakespeare studies at the start of the new term with a visit from the Globe Theatre's storytellers. They broadened their knowledge of the Bard's tragedies by watching an interactive retelling of Macbeth.


Last year, Girls' Division pupils sent a message to the MP for Bolton North East to support the Send My Friend to School campaign, which aims to remind politicians and world leaders of the importance of education for every child. The girls, now in Year 10, have received a reponse not only from their MP but also from the Prime Minister Theresa May!

In August, the International Youth Philharmonic Orchestra - made up of young musicians from Bolton and Paderborn in Germany - used the Girls' Division as a base for their rehearsals. This was in preparation for two concerts, one held at the RNCM in Manchester, and one at the Paderhalle in Paderborn.


Sixth Form pupil Arron Davies has won Silver and Bronze medals at the European Water Ski Championships, held in Italy over the holidays. He was a key member of the four-man GB team at this event, and is now training for the U17 World Championships.

Year 13 pupil Samuel Platt placed seventh in the Fireball Class at this year's European Sailing Championships: an excellent achievement on the international stage.

Sharon Daniel in Year 10 has earned a national call-up to play chess for England over the summer holidays, having won the English Youth Chess Championship earlier in the year. She played for her country at the European Youth Chess Championship, held in Prague, and placed 48th of 120 competitors.

Year 8 sailor Harvey Leigh has raised an impressive £2,662 for Trearddur Bay RNLI and Heads Together by completing a circumnavigation of Holy Island off Anglesey in Wales. He completed the sail alongside a fellow junior sailor. Te pair also took part in the RS Feva Volvo Grand Prix at Draycote Water Sailing Club, where they won the British sailing team qualifier and gained podium positions in the majority of races.

Over the summer, Bolton School Nursery bid a fond farewell to Claire Thompson, who has been the Manager there since the Nursery opened 18 years ago. The Nursery hosted a fun-filled afternoon tea party attended by parents, children and staff as a fitting send-off for her.


A number of Inspiring Minds profiles have been released over the holiday period:

Gill Richards was Head of the Girls' Division from 2005 to 2011. In her profile, she speaks of how welcome the School made her feel, mentions some of her favourite memories, and discusses how proud she was to see new developments - such as the new Beech House and Hesketh House and the beginnings of work on the Riley Centre - take place during her tenure.

Old Boy The Rt Hon Lord Justice Ryder TD DL attended Bolton School from 1962 to 1976 before studying Law at Cambridge. He went on to become the youngest High Court Judge in the country at the age of 45. His profile is extracted from an address he gave to Boys' Division pupils, where he spoke of important lessons he learned at school and his work, among other topics.

Nicola Grinstead is an Old Girl who attended the school between 1989 and 1996. She now works as Deputy Chief Executive of Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital and is also Chair of the Board of Trustee’s for the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. Her inspiring profile offers advice to current pupils and talks about the teachers who influenced her during her time at Bolton School.

Sub Lieutenant Peter Hartshorn attended Bolton School between 1931 and 1939 and went on to study Engineering before joining the Royal Navy. His brief profile includes autobiographical from the commemorative book Remembered with Honour by Eric McPherson.

Former professional rugby player and now farmer Jack Forster is another Old Boy of the School. He completed his A Levels in 2005 and went on to plays Premiership and European rugby for six years, picking up England Saxons caps along the way. He talks in his profile about his inspirations, favourite memories and experience of Bolton School.

Anne-Marie Hutchings joined the Girls' Division staff in 1983. She became Head of Modern Foreign Languages in 1986, a post which she held for fifteen years. She sadly passed away in 2004, but left behind a legacy of memories for all of the pupils she taught during her time at the School. Her Inspiring Minds profile was written by one of her former pupils, and captures the essence of her lessons and teaching style in a brief pen-portrait.

Old Boy Wing Commander John Scott-Taggart, OBE MC, left Bolton School in 1915. His fascinating profile charts an inspirational school career and life, beginning with an aptitude for technology that was fostered by the school, continuing into distinguished service in the Army from 1915 and through both World Wars, and on to a variety of other interests which he cultivated throughout his adult life.

16 September 2016

There is plenty of news from the holidays and the beginning of term to catch up on as the first full week of the new Autumn Term draws to a close.

Pupils in both Divisions celebrated excellent examination results on A Level Results Day this year.

The Girls' Division saw an increase of pupils achieving 3 A*/A grades or better, with 16.2% of grades were at the very highest level of A*. The vast majority of girls will go on to their first choice of university and four are set to progress to Oxford or Cambridge.


In the Boys' Division there was a slight improvement on the previous year, with 22.5% of papers being graded at A* - the second best achievement since that grade began. Four boys will go on to study at Oxford or Cambridge, with a large majority progressing to their first choice of university as a result of their grades.


On GCSE Results Day, the story was again one of success in the Boys' and Girls' Divisions. 99% of pupils in both divisions achieved the benchmark of at least 5 A*-C grade.

The Boys' Division saw 25% of papers graded at A*, with one boy receiving 12 A* grades and seven more pupils receiving 10 or more A* grades.


Pupils in the Girls' Division celebrated an improved percentage of A* and A grades at GCSE, with over 71% of grades at A* or A grade. Two thirds of the girls achieved at least eight A or A* grades. Six girls achieved 11 or more A* grades.

Seven pupils who attended the SHINE 'Serious Fun on Saturday Mornings' Programme at Bolton School have now become Year 7 pupils in the Senior Schools! They met up a the start of term to reminisce about the enriching and inspirational experiences they enjoyed at SHINE sessions.


The Boys' Division has committed to increase its arts provision with the aim of achieving the highest level of Artsmark Award. These awards celebrate schools which champion the arts and also give access to high quality, practical resources and networks. The School is already at the Gold level, providing a diverse range of arts and cultural experiences for all pupils, but is hoping to achieve Platinum over the course of the next two years.

The Year 9 boys began their Shakespeare studies at the start of the new term with a visit from the Globe Theatre's storytellers. They broadened their knowledge of the Bard's tragedies by watching an interactive retelling of Macbeth.


Last year, Girls' Division pupils sent a message to the MP for Bolton North East to support the Send My Friend to School campaign, which aims to remind politicians and world leaders of the importance of education for every child. The girls, now in Year 10, have received a reponse not only from their MP but also from the Prime Minister Theresa May!

In August, the International Youth Philharmonic Orchestra - made up of young musicians from Bolton and Paderborn in Germany - used the Girls' Division as a base for their rehearsals. This was in preparation for two concerts, one held at the RNCM in Manchester, and one at the Paderhalle in Paderborn.


Sixth Form pupil Arron Davies has won Silver and Bronze medals at the European Water Ski Championships, held in Italy over the holidays. He was a key member of the four-man GB team at this event, and is now training for the U17 World Championships.

Year 13 pupil Samuel Platt placed seventh in the Fireball Class at this year's European Sailing Championships: an excellent achievement on the international stage.

Sharon Daniel in Year 10 has earned a national call-up to play chess for England over the summer holidays, having won the English Youth Chess Championship earlier in the year. She played for her country at the European Youth Chess Championship, held in Prague, and placed 48th of 120 competitors.

Year 8 sailor Harvey Leigh has raised an impressive £2,662 for Trearddur Bay RNLI and Heads Together by completing a circumnavigation of Holy Island off Anglesey in Wales. He completed the sail alongside a fellow junior sailor. Te pair also took part in the RS Feva Volvo Grand Prix at Draycote Water Sailing Club, where they won the British sailing team qualifier and gained podium positions in the majority of races.

Over the summer, Bolton School Nursery bid a fond farewell to Claire Thompson, who has been the Manager there since the Nursery opened 18 years ago. The Nursery hosted a fun-filled afternoon tea party attended by parents, children and staff as a fitting send-off for her.


A number of Inspiring Minds profiles have been released over the holiday period:

Gill Richards was Head of the Girls' Division from 2005 to 2011. In her profile, she speaks of how welcome the School made her feel, mentions some of her favourite memories, and discusses how proud she was to see new developments - such as the new Beech House and Hesketh House and the beginnings of work on the Riley Centre - take place during her tenure.

Old Boy The Rt Hon Lord Justice Ryder TD DL attended Bolton School from 1962 to 1976 before studying Law at Cambridge. He went on to become the youngest High Court Judge in the country at the age of 45. His profile is extracted from an address he gave to Boys' Division pupils, where he spoke of important lessons he learned at school and his work, among other topics.

Nicola Grinstead is an Old Girl who attended the school between 1989 and 1996. She now works as Deputy Chief Executive of Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital and is also Chair of the Board of Trustee’s for the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. Her inspiring profile offers advice to current pupils and talks about the teachers who influenced her during her time at Bolton School.

Sub Lieutenant Peter Hartshorn attended Bolton School between 1931 and 1939 and went on to study Engineering before joining the Royal Navy. His brief profile includes autobiographical from the commemorative book Remembered with Honour by Eric McPherson.

Former professional rugby player and now farmer Jack Forster is another Old Boy of the School. He completed his A Levels in 2005 and went on to plays Premiership and European rugby for six years, picking up England Saxons caps along the way. He talks in his profile about his inspirations, favourite memories and experience of Bolton School.

Anne-Marie Hutchings joined the Girls' Division staff in 1983. She became Head of Modern Foreign Languages in 1986, a post which she held for fifteen years. She sadly passed away in 2004, but left behind a legacy of memories for all of the pupils she taught during her time at the School. Her Inspiring Minds profile was written by one of her former pupils, and captures the essence of her lessons and teaching style in a brief pen-portrait.

Old Boy Wing Commander John Scott-Taggart, OBE MC, left Bolton School in 1915. His fascinating profile charts an inspirational school career and life, beginning with an aptitude for technology that was fostered by the school, continuing into distinguished service in the Army from 1915 and through both World Wars, and on to a variety of other interests that he cultivated throughout his adult life.