Read all about the latest news and activities happening, and reasons to celebrate our school in the below Headteacher's blog.

• Smart learning at Upper Batley High School

  Mon 02 Feb 2026

  At Upper Batley High School, we are committed to ensuring every learner develops the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to succeed. Our young people are supported by a dedicated and highly skilled staff team who create a positive learning environment where learners are challenged, encouraged and inspired to do their best.

   

  High-quality teaching across the school promotes deep thinking, curiosity and independence. Lessons are carefully planned to stretch learners’ understanding and help them make strong connections in their learning.

   

  We place great importance on the science behind how learners learn. Through a strong focus on retrieval practice, recall and metacognition, and by using evidence-informed approaches from the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF), we help young people to retain knowledge, reflect on their learning and make sustained progress over time.

   

  Parents/carers play an important role in supporting learning at home. Encouraging regular routines, talking about learning and helping young people to recall and explain what they have learned all strengthen understanding and confidence. By working together, we ensure every learner is supported to achieve their full potential.

   

  Aman Singh Kang

   

  

• Excellence in Teaching and Learning

  Mon 26 Jan 2026

  John Dewey famously observed that “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” This sentiment captures what we strive for each day at Upper Batley High School- learning that is purposeful, challenging and genuinely transformative for every child.

   

  We place great importance on the quality of teaching across the school. Our committed and highly skilled staff work tirelessly to design lessons that spark curiosity while also demanding careful thought and perseverance. Learning is not passive; learners are encouraged to think hard, explore ideas in depth and apply their knowledge in meaningful ways. Through this approach, we aim to nurture children who are motivated, resilient and increasingly confident in working on their own.

   

  Our curriculum is carefully planned to be both creative and rigorous. It equips learners with essential skills that support them not only in their current learning, but also as they move forward into later education and beyond. We want our learners to understand that effort matters, that challenges are valuable, and that success often comes from sustained practice and reflection.

   

  Teaching across the school is underpinned by strong educational research. We deliberately build in opportunities for learners to revisit prior learning, explain their thinking and reflect on what strategies help them succeed. By explicitly teaching children how learning works, we empower them to become more self-aware, thoughtful and independent learners.

   

  A key feature of classroom life is our focus on purposeful independence. Learners are regularly given time to grapple with tasks on their own, without immediate adult support. This expectation encourages perseverance, deepens understanding and helps children recognise that they are capable of overcoming difficulties through careful thinking and determination.

   

  Above all, we believe every child has the potential to excel. By fostering curiosity, encouraging thoughtful questioning and promoting high expectations, we help learners develop confidence in their abilities and ambition for their futures. This is evident in the quality of work produced, the richness of classroom dialogue and the many successes we celebrate together.

   

  Thank you for your ongoing support in helping our learners to aim high, embrace challenges and flourish.

   

  Aman Singh Kang

  

• We have High Expectations at All Times

  Mon 19 Jan 2026

  At our school, our core values; Believe, Achieve, Succeed are at the heart of everything we do. Our positive and ambitious school culture encourages every learner to be the very best version of themselves, each and every day.

   

  Our staff team works hard to build learners’ confidence, develop their essential skills, and support them to grow and flourish, not just in their learning, but in life. We know that high expectations are key to success. We expect learners to have good attendance, 98% (no more than 4 days missed in a year), work hard, behave respectfully, and make the right choices. In return, we are committed to recognising and celebrating those who consistently meet these expectations.

   

  Learners who demonstrate excellent conduct, positive behaviour, strong progress, and good attendance are rewarded in a variety of ways. At the end of each term, we hold our End of Term Rewards Celebrations, where those who have met our high standards are invited to take part in special activities and events. In addition, learners can use their achievement points towards a range of other rewards throughout the year. This approach ensures that effort, commitment, and positive choices are always noticed and valued.

   

  By maintaining high standards and celebrating success, we continue to foster a school culture where every learner is supported, challenged, and encouraged to achieve their very best.
  
  Aman Singh Kang

  

• Why Every Day Counts: Attendance, Achievement and Opportunity

  Mon 12 Jan 2026

  Regular school attendance is one of the strongest predictors of a young person’s success. Being in school every day is not simply about compliance – it is about ensuring learners have full access to teaching, support, routines and relationships that help them thrive academically and personally.

   

  When learners attend consistently, they make stronger progress, retain learning more securely and are better prepared for assessments. Over time, this adds up. Research and national data are clear: learners with higher attendance achieve better GCSE outcomes, opening doors to further education, training and employment. In contrast, lower attendance is closely linked to weaker results, reduced qualifications and, later in life, lower earning potential.

   

  It is important to understand just how quickly learning time can be lost. An attendance rate of 90% means a learner misses the equivalent of half a day every week which is almost 4 full weeks of learning across a school year. These gaps are difficult to close, particularly in subjects where knowledge builds lesson by lesson. Missing even a small amount of learning can leave learners feeling behind, less confident and more likely to disengage.

   

  We are proud to recognise and reward learners who demonstrate commitment to both learning and behaviour. This term, learners who achieve 98% attendance or above and receive one or fewer behaviour points will be invited to take part in our end of term celebration reward events. These events are a way of saying thank you for sustained effort, positive choices and dedication to learning, and we want as many learners as possible to enjoy them.

   

  Excellent attendance is a partnership between home and school. By working together to prioritise daily attendance, we can give every young person the strongest possible chance to succeed in their learning.

   

  Aman Singh Kang

  

• A New Year and a Fresh Start

  Mon 05 Jan 2026

  Happy New Year and a very warm welcome back to all our learners and families. We hope the year has started well for you and that everyone returned refreshed and ready for the term ahead.

   

  It has been wonderful to welcome learners back into school and to see the positive, purposeful atmosphere across our community. Our learners have returned committed, hardworking and with a strong desire to do well, and this has been evident in classrooms, corridors and assemblies. They have quickly re-established routines and are approaching their learning with focus, maturity and ambition.

   

  We began the term with year group assemblies on Monday morning, where we reinforced the school’s high expectations and the importance of always presenting the very best version of ourselves. Looking ahead, we are also pleased to share that next term we will be introducing more Reward Days to celebrate those learners who consistently meet our expectations. Learners with above 98% attendance and low behaviour points will be recognised and rewarded for their commitment and positive choices. We believe it is vital to celebrate success and to acknowledge those who strive to do the right thing every day.

   

  We had an absolutely brilliant 2025, and the start to this year gives us every confidence that we can build on that success. Thank you, as always, for your continued support. Together, we look forward to making 2026 a fantastic year for everyone in our school community.

   

  Aman Singh Kang

   

  

• Goodbye 2025 and Welcome 2026

  Fri 19 Dec 2025

  As we say goodbye to 2025 and look ahead to 2026, I would like to reflect on what has been a truly remarkable year for our school community and to thank parents and carers for your continued and valued support.

   

  Although this academic year began in September with the deeply distressing news that our Forest School provision had been deliberately destroyed by vandalism, the response from staff, learners, parents and carers, governors and partners was both swift and inspiring. While this was a significant loss, what could have remained a wholly negative experience instead brought our community closer together, united by a shared sense of purpose and determination.

   

  Overall, 2025 has been a year of many successes. These include a record number of admission applications, with the school now oversubscribed and operating with long waiting lists; national and DfE (Department for Education) recognition for our work on parental engagement; visits from local and international educational leaders, including colleagues from as far afield as India; and significant fundraising to support the rebuilding of our Forest School. We were also proud to welcome Baroness Royall, whose visit resulted in an invitation for our learners to visit the Houses of Parliament. Most recently, the school was awarded the Leading Parent Partnership Award, recognising the strength of our work with families.

   

  I would like to take this opportunity to thank parents and carers once again for the vital role you play in supporting our school and our learners. Have a lovely winter break and here’s making 2026 a fantastic year for everyone in our community.

   

  Aman Singh Kang

   

  

• Putting Wellbeing First - Supporting Every Learner to Succeed

  Mon 15 Dec 2025

  At Upper Batley, the wellbeing and safety of our learners is always our number one priority. We believe wholeheartedly that “children learn best when they feel safe, supported and understood,” and this belief underpins everything we do as a school. Our compassionate and highly committed staff work tirelessly to ensure every learner feels valued, listened to and encouraged to be the very best version of themselves. Alongside this, our excellent facilities allow us to deliver a rich, creative curriculum that is carefully tailored to meet individual needs.

   

  We are proud to offer a wide range of unique opportunities that support both emotional wellbeing and personal development. Our Forest School, Barnyard, horticulture area and on-site gym all play an important role in helping learners to develop resilience, confidence and a sense of calm. We understand that the demands of school life: particularly exams, coursework and assessments can sometimes feel challenging, so we place a strong emphasis on teaching learners practical strategies to manage stress and look after their mental health.

   

  Central to our approach is our outstanding support network. Our Pastoral team, strong SEND provision, dedicated school Counsellor who work closely with learners every day to create a safe, caring environment where everyone knows there is always someone they can talk to. This consistent, trusted support helps learners to feel secure, builds their confidence and enables them to engage positively with their learning.

   

  We also recognise that true success is about more than academic outcomes alone. Developing resilience, determination, empathy and a positive work ethic is equally important. Our curriculum is thoughtfully designed to nurture these qualities across all subjects. Whether learners are solving problems in Maths, building perseverance and teamwork in Forest School, or caring for animals in the Barnyard, each experience helps to prepare them for life beyond the classroom and supports them in becoming confident, well-rounded individuals.

   

  We are incredibly proud of our commitment to nurturing the whole child. Our work in the area of mental health and wellbeing is recognised as best practice, and we are delighted to hold Gold status from the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools. This achievement reflects our ongoing dedication to ensuring that every learner at Upper Batley feels safe, supported and ready to succeed.

   

  Aman Singh Kang

   

  

• Staying Safe Online

  Tue 09 Dec 2025

  The online world is now part of everyday life for both adults and young people. While technology brings many benefits, it also comes with risks. Online safety is everyone’s responsibility, and it is vital that we all work together to help young people use the internet safely, confidently and responsibly.

  At UBHS, online safety is a key priority. We support learners through assemblies, lessons and clear rules, including not bringing mobile phones onto the school site. However, keeping children safe online works best when schools and families work in partnership.

  To support parents and carers, we are offering FREE digital parenting sessions focused on online safety. The session will cover topics such as.
  
  - Understanding gaming, online communication, and hidden risks
  - Social media dangers, trends, emojis
  - Issues around mental health, cyberbullying
  - Digital boundaries
  - Building open communication with children
  - Improving online safety at home
  
  Date: Thursday 11 December 2025
  Time: 1.15pm or 4.15pm (choose one session)

  These sessions will provide practical advice on social media, gaming, privacy settings and how to have effective conversations with your child about staying safe online.

  Sign up here: https://forms.gle/PSvPs4kUB1fzENpP6

  We strongly encourage all parents and carers to attend one of these sessions and join us in supporting our young people to stay safe online.

   

  Aman Singh Kang

  

• Doors of Opportunity - Careers Development

  Mon 01 Dec 2025

  At UBHS, we firmly believe that leadership is not a title reserved for the few, but a set of skills and qualities that can be nurtured in every young person. Developing the leaders of tomorrow sits at the heart of our work, and we are committed to building confidence, character and essential skills from the very beginning of a child’s educational journey.

   

  Across UBHS, learners are provided with a wide range of meaningful opportunities to develop leadership and workplace-ready skills through lessons, enrichment activities and positions of responsibility throughout the school. These experiences support learners in developing key skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving and resilience, skills that are vital not only for future careers, but for life beyond the classroom.

   

  A cornerstone of this work is our use of the Skills Builder programme, delivered during Inspire form time. Skills Builder offers a clear, structured framework that enables learners to practise essential skills regularly, reflect on their progress and understand how these skills are relevant both now and in their future pathways. This consistent approach helps to build confidence, foster independence and empower learners to recognise and believe in their own potential. As we say at UBHS, we provide doors of opportunity for every learner to grow, excel and flourish.

   

  Crucially, this commitment to leadership development does not stop at secondary school. As a Trust, we work collaboratively with our primary schools to nurture leadership from a younger age. By introducing leadership opportunities and essential skills early, we help our youngest learners build confidence, develop a strong sense of self and begin to see themselves as future leaders. This joined-up approach ensures clear continuity and progression as learners move through our schools.

   

  This collaborative work was brought to life last week when our Year 10 learners supported Year 6 learners at Field Lane Primary School by conducting mock interviews and providing constructive, supportive feedback. This experience was invaluable for both groups of learners; strengthening confidence, communication skills and leadership capacity across our Trust.

   

  By working together and embedding essential skills throughout our curriculum, we are not only preparing our learners for employment, but empowering them to thrive, lead and make a positive contribution to society. This is a vision we are immensely proud of at UBHS.

   

  Aman Singh Kang

   

  

• Celebrating Success

  Mon 24 Nov 2025

  Last week, we had the privilege of hosting our annual Presentation Evening. It was a truly uplifting occasion that showcased the exceptional achievements, progress, and dedication of our learners throughout the 2024/25 academic year. It was a brilliant celebration of hard work and aspiration, and a powerful reminder to our younger learners of what can be accomplished with perseverance and commitment.

   

  Expertly hosted by our Deputy Headteacher, Mr Farrar, the evening saw more than 250 awards presented to both current and former learners. We were delighted to welcome our Chair of Governors, Mr Geoff Alvy, who shared thoughtful reflections on the year, as well as our guest speaker, Mr Shahid Akhtar, a former learner from the Class of 2004 and now a NHS Practice/Operations Manager. His inspiring words showed exactly where determination, resilience, and a passion for learning can lead.

   

  Selecting learners for special recognition is never an easy task. Our staff team carefully considers not only academic achievement, but also the dedication, character, and sheer effort that each learner brings to their studies. Those who received awards truly stood out, demonstrating commitment, perseverance, and a willingness to push themselves further.

   

  I am immensely proud of all our award winners and of every learner who continues to strive for excellence. I challenge each of you to build on this year’s successes and aim even higher in the months ahead.

   

  My sincere thanks also go to our parents and carers for their continued support, and to our outstanding staff team, whose unwavering dedication ensures that every learner receives a high-quality education, every single day.

   

  It was an evening filled with pride, inspiration, and hope- a reminder of the bright futures our learners are working so hard to create.
  
  Aman Singh Kang