At Upton-by-Chester High School, we believe that a strong partnership between school, parents/carers and learners plays an important part in helping every young person to thrive.

Our Parent & Carer Information Evenings are an important part of that partnership. Each evening is designed around the particular opportunities, expectations and challenges learners will experience at that stage of their journey through our school. They provide parents and carers with practical information about the year ahead, explain how we will support learners academically and pastorally, and share ways in which families can support learning, wellbeing and personal development at home.

As learners progress through the school, the focus of the evenings develops with them – from settling in and establishing successful habits in Year 7, through increasing independence and preparation for GCSEs, to examination success and the transition into Sixth Form.

We strongly encourage parents and carers to attend. As well as receiving important information about the year ahead, the evenings provide an opportunity to understand how we can work together to help every learner make the most of their time at Upton-by-Chester High School. 

All Information Evenings take place in the Main Hall.

Year Group	Date	Time
Year 12	Wednesday 9 September 2026	5.30pm–6.15pm
Year 7	Thursday 10 September 2026	5.30pm–6.45pm*
Year 10	Monday 14 September 2026	5.30pm–6.15pm
Year 11	Monday 21 September 2026	5.30pm–6.30pm
Year 8	Thursday 8 October 2026	5.30pm–6.15pm
Year 11	Monday 4th January 2027	5.30pm-6.30pm

*Year 7 families will be allocated different start times for the X and Y sides of the year group. Further details will be communicated directly to families.

After each information evening the slides will be shared on this page so parents / carers can access them during the year. 

Year 7 – Belonging and Foundations. 

Thursday 10 September 2026 | 5.30pm–6.45pm

The Year 7 Information Evening is designed to help parents and carers understand how we will support their child to make a successful transition to Upton-by-Chester High School in order that they have strong foundations to move through each year group. We will explain how school and home can work together to establish the habits, routines and relationships that will help learners thrive.

Parents and carers will leave with a clearer understanding of what successful learning looks like at Upton; how progress will be assessed and communicated; the pastoral and wellbeing support available; how to support organisation, reading, attendance and learning at home; and the opportunities available through Engage@Upton and the wider life of the school.

Our Year 7 focus for parents and carers : belonging, establishing good habits and building the foundations for future success.

Year 8 – Engagement and Aspiration 

Thursday 8 October 2026 | 5.30pm–6.15pm

Year 8 is an important stage in which learners build upon the foundations established during their first year at Upton-by-Chester High School. The evening will help parents and carers understand how we encourage learners to become increasingly confident, independent and engaged in their learning and the wider life of the school.

We will cover what progress looks like in Year 8; how parents can encourage increasing independence; our approach to wellbeing, friendships and resilience; important experiences and milestones during the year; and the clubs, activities and wider opportunities available through Engage@Upton.

Our Year 8 focus for parents and carers : developing independence, confidence and engagement.

Year 9 – Ambition and Direction

Thursday 14th January 2026 - 5.30pm - 7.30pm. 

In Year 9 we do not have a parent /carer information evening however, we do have an options evening.  This is an opportunity for us to share with you the options process in order that your child can pick their GCSE / Level 2 qualifications for study in September 2027. 

Year 10 - Building strong foundations for GCSE success

Monday 14 September 2026 | 5.30pm–6.15pm

The transition into Key Stage 4 brings new opportunities and increased expectations. Our Year 10 Information Evening will help parents and carers understand these changes and how we can work together to ensure learners develop the knowledge, habits, independence and resilience they need to succeed throughout their GCSE courses.

Parents and carers will learn about the demands of Key Stage 4; the learning and study habits that matter most; how progress and Attitude to Learning are monitored; the pastoral and wellbeing support available; and wider Year 10 experiences including work experience, Engage@Upton and preparation for future pathways.

Our Year 10 focus for parents and carers : getting the foundations right so that strong habits now create the conditions for future GCSE success.

Year 11 – Working together to maximise GCSE success

Monday 21 September 2026 | 5.30pm–6.30pm and Monday 4th January 2027 at 5.30pm 

Year 11 is a significant year for learners and their families. These evenings are designed to give parents and carers the practical information, strategies and confidence they need to support their child through the final year of GCSE study.

The September event will focus on preparing for the mock examinations in November, while the January event will focus on preparation in the run-up to the external examinations in Summer 2027.

The evenings will help families understand the Year 11 journey and key milestones; what effective revision looks like; the importance of attendance and engagement; the intervention and academic support available; and how parents / carers can support wellbeing and help learners manage the pressures associated with examinations.

We will also explain how school and home can work closely together to keep learners motivated, healthy, supported and focused on their next steps.

Our Year 11 focus for parents and carers : turning the strong foundations built over previous years into successful outcomes.

Year 12 – Making a successful transition to Sixth Form

Wednesday 9 September 2026 | 5.30pm–6.15pm

The move from GCSE study into Sixth Form represents an important change in both academic expectations and personal responsibility. The Year 12 Information Evening will help parents and carers understand this transition and how they can support their young person to become an increasingly independent, successful and resilient learner.

The evening will explain how Sixth Form study is different; what effective independent learning looks like; how progress is monitored and supported; the wellbeing and pastoral support available; and the wider Sixth Form experience, including enrichment, leadership and preparation for university, apprenticeships and other post-18 pathways.

Our Year 12 focus for parents and carers : developing independent young adults who take increasing ownership of their learning, wellbeing and future.