Parent/ Carer Bulletin - Spring Half Term Break

{item_alt_tag}

Headteacher's Message

This half-term has been truly exceptional. Our learners have thrown themselves into a wonderful variety of opportunities, from countless outstanding sporting events and engaging information evenings, to deeply reflective Holocaust Memorial activities and thought provoking PSHE assemblies. We have celebrated their enthusiasm in debating competitions, embarked on inspiring STEM trips, and come together as a community during our successful Charity Week where the total raised came to £3688.10. Learners have also benefited from aspirational university visits and shown great commitment through the Duke of Edinburgh Award. We were delighted to round off the half-term with our vibrant Festival of Performing Arts, a celebration of the immense talent within our school. 

It has been a real privilege this week to watch our learners take to the stage in their performances of Matilda. The confidence, energy and talent on display were exceptional, and I could not be prouder of everyone involved. From the performers to the backstage crew and staff who supported the production, it was a true team effort. Events like this showcase not only the creativity within our school but also the courage our young people show when they step outside their comfort zones and give their very best in front of an audience.

As we reach the end of term, I would like to thank you for your continued support and partnership. I hope all of our families enjoy a restful and enjoyable half-term break. We look forward to welcoming all learners back refreshed and ready to learn on Monday 23rd February. Have a wonderful half-term.

Best wishes,

Mr L Cummins

Forthcoming Events 

School re-opens for Spring Term 2
8:35am – 3:10pm
23
February
Year 13 Learner Progress Evening (In Person)
4:00pm – 6:00pm
26
February
Year 10 Learner Progress Evening (Virtual)
4:00pm – 7:00pm
12
March

Other School News 

Engage@upton - No clubs on Monday 23rd February

 

Please note that due to staff training there will be no after-school clubs on Monday 23rd of February.

The hub will be open as normal until 4.30pm.

Stay Safe Bulletin - Focus: Online Safety

 

Dear Parents and Carers,

The online world is an essential part of our daily lives and learning how to use technology safely is an essential skill for young people. Apps such as Tiktok and Whatsapp, for example, are extremely popular but risks are posed and it is important that schools, parents and carers work together to take an active role in teaching children about online dangers. Learning how to act safely when using the internet is an incredibly important part of safeguarding our children and your role as a parent/carer can make a significant difference.

It is vitally important that parents and carers check which social media groups their children are joining. Learners have been taught in school not to join open groups, for example Whatsapp and Tiktok, and give away personal details including images which show their school uniform or other personal information. Disagreements between children on social media can have a negative impact on their wellbeing whilst taking up a great deal of valuable time for staff in school. 

In order to support families to protect our learners online we are providing links below to support you in discussions with your child. Please also see the graphic below which shows the age restrictions for social media platforms.

 Please click on the following links for guidance:

Tiktok

Instagram

Whatsapp

Influencers

Gaming

Snapchat

Resources available:

'What I wish my parents or carers knew...': A guide for parents and carers on managing children’s digital lives

Keeping children safe online | NSPCC

Keeping children safe online | Barnardo's

Support for parents and carers to keep children safe online - GOV.UK

Below is the latest Stay Safe Bulletin which has been shared with learners in form time. I have also delivered an assembly recently on Safer Internet day looking at the benefits and dangers of AI.

Please do not hesitate to contact the school if you need further help or support.

Regards,

Mr J. Keegan

Assistant Headteacher

Director of Safeguarding and Wellbeing

CONSIDER YOUR ONLINE REPUTATION

Anything you upload, photo, video, email or message could stay online forever. You should only post things online that you would not mind your parents/carers, your teachers or a future employer seeing.

SOME SIMPLE RULES TO MAKE YOUR ONLINE EXPERIENCE MORE PLEASANT AND SAFE

• Block abusive comments or people that abuse you.

• Respect others online and think carefully about the comments you post—comments can easily be misinterpreted.

• Don’t arrange to meet people in real life that you have only talked to online—some people might not be who they say they are.

• Check attachments and pop-ups for viruses before you click or download.

• Use secure and legal sites to download music and games to avoid the risks associated with streaming content from unauthorised sites.

• Be careful with the information you find on the internet. Not everything you read or watch will be 100% accurate, so watch out for being misled.

• Bullying someone online or sending inappropriate pictures could result in someone reporting you to the school or police.

• People don’t always show what their lives are really like on social media. Photos can be staged, airbrushed or filtered. People only show others what they want others to see. Do not compare yourself with these images.

STAY SAFE ON THE MOVE

 Make sure that you activate the safety and privacy setting on your mobile phone otherwise you may share too much information.

NUDES

A nude image can be nude or semi-nude sexual posing. It is illegal to send a nude image or video of yourself or someone else if you are under the age of 18. If you have sent a nude or semi-nude image, you can contact Childine and they will help you to have it removed from the internet.

GETTING SUPPORT

If you see or experience something you don’t like online you could speak to your parents or someone at school. We will listen and support you. We won’t judge you. You can report something bad you see online via the Internet Matters website

WE WILL ALWAYS LISTEN TO YOU AND SUPPORT YOU

PSHE Curriculum

 

The new Relationships, Sex & Health Education guidance (RSHE) in effect from September 2026 states that schools should pro-actively engage parents and make sure they are aware of what is being taught in RSHE.  At Upton-by-Chester high school, we value the relationship we have with our parents and carers and ensure that our Personal, Social, Health & Economic Education (PSHE) topics, including RSHE, are easily available on the school website.  However, we understand that parents and carers may not always have time to actively seek out this information.  Therefore, we would like to take this opportunity to provide you with the link to the topics each half term so that you may discuss them with your child/children ahead of the lessons.  If you would like further information regarding any of the topics covered, please contact Miss Welch, Head of PSHE via email at welchs@uptonhigh.co.uk 

KS3 PSHE Topics (Years 7-9)

KS4 PSHE Topics (Years 10&11)

KS5 PSHE Topics (Years 12&13)

Ms S Welch

Head of PSHE

Updating Parent/ Carer Contact Details

 

It is very important that we hold the most up-to-date contact details for you. Should you need to update anything you can complete a form on our website https://www.uptonhigh.co.uk/page/?title=Online+Forms&pid=537 or email us at admin@uptonhigh.co.uk

Careers Bulletin

 

Click on the link below to see the latest information:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ab57VM41x7_yzr0Q19PUj0r4KoWn--X2iSfZR7Kl_yc/edit?usp=sharing

{item_alt_tag}
{item_alt_tag}

Community News

Support for families is continuing, but from April 2026 the way help is provided will change

 

February half term 2026 will be the final school holiday period where free school meals support is provided automatically in the form of a voucher. However, support will still be available. From April, families who need help will be supported to apply through the Crisis and Resilience Fund.

There is nothing families need to do at this stage. The Council will share clear information ahead of April about how to apply and what support is available.

If you need help now, cost of living advice and support is available through the Council website.

You will also find attached leaflets providing information about Healthy Start and some of the other support available to residents of Cheshire West and Chester.

Cost of living | Cheshire West and Chester Council

Benefits Calculator 

You may not be receiving all the financial support you’re entitled to. Our online benefits calculator can quickly show whether you could claim extra help. 

Benefits Calculator

Before you start make sure you have some accurate information to hand about your; 

  • savings 
  • income, including your partner’s (from payslips, for example) 
  • existing benefits and pensions (including anyone living with you) 
  • outgoings (such as rent, mortgage, childcare payments) 
  • Council Tax bill 

Cheshire West and Chester Council

Helping Hands 

Healthy Start