Head girl’s powerful letter about her “brilliant school”

LESS than a year after a Warrington High School was slammed by education watchdogs Ofsted, it has been judged to have changed beyond recognition.
It is the best possible outcome and Boteler CE High School is “delighted,” says headteacher Beverley Scott-Herron.
But she feels it is a powerful letter written to her by the school’s head girl that will make the biggest impression on parents of prospective pupils.
Sophia Smith wrote: “I have spent four years at Boteler and I have watched my peers and friends become aspiring young adults, ready for the future ahead, excited at what it may hold.
“Because of Boteler they are confident, well assured and eager to achieve and make the most of all the opportunities it has put in place. They have been given a platform to achieve and a belief that they can realise their potential. I am certain that without Boteler I would not be the person I am today.
“I just wanted to write this because I feel passionately that the school is improving so much and people need to listen. If you can communicate this somewhere where people will stand up and take notice I would appreciate it.”
Mrs Scott-Heron said Boteler had just had a monitoring visit from Ofsted and received the following judgement: “The school is taking effective action towards the removal of special measures”.
She said: “This is the best outcome that could be achieved and the school are delighted with the positive impact that all the new changes have had over the past year.
“However, it was a letter sent to me from the head girl Sophia Smith which really hits home.
“We are in a society where we tell people to not be judgemental and yet a school and its student population are being judged by people who don’t know the school. The school has been on a journey and it is clear that it is rapidly improving, however it seems that it has been given a ‘label’, and it should now be judged accordingly.
“It was at Open Day when this became apparent when I had parents/carers apologising to me for judging the school and the students. They came to speak to me to tell me how bad they felt as it was their son/daughter who had wanted to come and have a look around because of the transition work, but really they had said they were not really considering the school.
“They said they were very sorry for making that assumption and what a wonderful place it was to learn. Students were very smart, polite and well mannered and had really high expectations, as did staff. They said that they had changed their mind and we were a definite consideration.
“However, Open Day was exactly that – a chance for parents/carers to see the school in action and working and to meet me and to hear our vision.
“It was the real Boteler. I have a clear vision and am very honest and open about where the school has come from, and I am striving for outstanding; as nothing else will do. The students clearly come first and I want the very best outcomes for every student in my care. I am passionate about education and even more so about the school and its local community, wanting the very best education and opportunities for everyone in a happy, safe caring environment”.
But Mrs Scott-Heron believes the head girl’s letter is what should really make people listen.
She added: “Please don’t judge and make choices based on what youthink you know. Please go and see for yourself”.
In her letter, Sophia Smith also said: “Our superb Open Day and Evening and follow up events seemed to really impress our prospective students and parents/carers. I feel from that they are now starting to see the real Boteler, the real community and our very real school family.
“I know that Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School is brilliant and the opportunities and care that is given by all the school community is second to none.  I just wanted to let you know that I am really saddened by the negative image that some people seem to give us based on an Ofsted judgement and what people THINK the school is like. I
feel that they could not be more wrong. You teach us about how not to judge and to make assumptions.
“Our school has changed over this past year beyond recognition, but how do you then change people’s minds if they don’t even give you a chance?
“The parents/carers were amazed at Open Day/Evening and said that they had not realised what a fantastic school it was.”
She added: “I know that this academic year will bring a fresh image of Boteler with exam success and all around pupil wellbeing as it is the pupils (just as you say) who matter the most.”