Cotham School
Weekly Mailing
2 October 2026
Embedded Files
Keep us posted - It would be great if parents/carers could let the school know of any student achievements outside of school. We would like to find out what students are doing in their own time and celebrate their achievements.
Email us: weeklymailing@cotham.bristol.sch.uk
Week commencing Monday 5 October 2026 is Week B
Headteacher's Welcome! 👩🏫
Headteacher's Welcome! 👩🏫
Dear Parents and Carers
Due to ongoing IT network issues across Bristol council educational settings, Cotham School currently has limited email access, which prevented last week's newsletter.
Thank you for your patience. We hope you find this week's update helpful as we look ahead to the coming days.
Kindest regards
Ms Jo Butler
Headteacher
Achievement and Positive Feedback of the Week 👍
Achievement and Positive Feedback of the Week 👍
Year 6 Open Evening
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Year 6 Open Evening last week. We were thrilled to welcome so many prospective families to Cotham School.
It was a wonderful vibrant evening filled with so many subject displays, impressive student performances and engaging classroom activities. A special mention must go to our student guides and helpers, who represented our school values with incredible warmth, confidence and professionalism.
Parent and Carer Calendar 🗓️
Parent and Carer Calendar 🗓️
Announcements 📢
Announcements 📢
Black History Month 2026
Black History Month 2026
What a wonderful start to Black History Month 2026! Seeing the Black History Month banner outside our building and outside North Bristol Post 16 is a timely reminder that inclusivity, diversity, equity and equality are elements that we all continue to strive for.
Throughout October, students will see and hear BHM represented across the school, including:
BHM computer lock screens and daily tannoy announcements featuring inspirational quotes
A BHM-inspired lunchtime playlist, played in the Lower Canteen and K Block
BHM content woven into the curriculum, tutor time and PSHE lessons across all year groups
Student-led initiatives celebrating Black history and culture, including student forums and creative projects
This week students have enjoyed our BHM assemblies that were delivered by Mr Sebana.
22 October 2026 – We are hosting our first Celebrating Black Excellence evening, a wonderful night of recognition and representation, with live music, a keynote speaker and awards celebrating achievement in our community.
Term 1 Extracurricular Clubs Years 7-11
Term 1 Extracurricular Clubs Years 7-11
Here are our extracurricular clubs for Term 1. We are using Evolve Clubs to manage all our club bookings. You will have received an invitation email, inviting you to book a club for your child. Remember to click on the top right hand 'view drop-in clubs' to view the full suite of clubs on offer to your child's year group. You can book your child onto a club through the email, or via the MyEvolve app or your child can just turn up at the club.
_Term_1_Extracuricular clubs 2026 Yrs7-11Student Support - Anna Freud Centre - Parent Webinars
Student Support - Anna Freud Centre - Parent Webinars
We are continuing to work with the Anna Freud Centre this academic year. Alongside the 1:1 support they can offer to students, they are also running a series of webinars for parents and caregivers. See the attached pdf for full details.
Live parent and carer resources Autumn term - final Flu Vaccination Update
Flu Vaccination Update
Sirona are offering your child (Year 7 to Year 11) a free flu vaccine at school this autumn.
Please complete the consent form as soon as possible
Flu consent 26 QR code poster Schools.pdfCotham 100 Club
Cotham 100 Club
We are pleased to launch the Cotham 100 Club this academic year, celebrating excellent attendance and punctuality in Years 7–11. Each month, students who achieve 100% attendance and arrive on time every day will be entered into our prize draw. Five students from each year group will be selected to receive a £10 Amazon voucher. This initiative aims to encourage positive routines and support our high aspirations for all students.
Late to school
Late to school
To ensure a calm and punctual start to the day, we remind families of our updated lateness procedures. Students arriving between 08:30am and 08:50am will receive an ‘L’ code and a 20‑minute same‑day detention. Arrivals after 08:50 will result in an ‘L’ code and a 40‑minute detention. Parents and Carers will be notified at 12.00pm of the detention.
Thank you for your continued support in helping your child establish strong routines from the very start of the year.
Student Equipment Checklist
Student Equipment Checklist
To ensure all students are fully prepared for learning each day, they are expected to bring the following essential items to school:
Reading Book: Required every day.
School Planner: Mandatory for Year 7 and Year 8 students.
Pencil Case and Stationery: Must contain pens, pencils, an eraser, a small ruler, a calculator, a sharpener, a green pen, a highlighter and colored pencils.
Exam Requirement: Please note that clear pencil cases are strictly required for all formal examinations.
We request parents and carers to help support their child by ensuring these supplies are purchased, kept complete, and safely packed into their school bag each evening or morning.
Is My Child Too Ill for School
Please see the NHS guidelines attached.
NHS guidance sheet.pdfImportant Guidelines: When to Keep Your Child Home Unwell
Deciding whether your child is too unwell for school, nursery, or playgroup can sometimes be tricky. To help navigate these decisions, official guidance is available on GOV.UK detailing when children should stay home and when they can attend.
Please keep the following reminders in mind:
Reporting Absence: If you decide to keep your child at home, please notify the school on the first day through Studybugs to let us know they will be absent and provide the reason.
Informing Teachers: If your child is well enough to attend but has a contagious condition (such as head lice or a cold sore), please inform their tutor or Learning Coordinator.
Thank you for helping us keep our school community safe and healthy.
Shoud I keep my child off school.pdfImportant Health Update: Head Lice Guidance
It has been brought to the school's attention that head lice may be circulating currently.
Head lice is a common issue in schools, is nothing to worry about but is very easily transmitted.
It is very easy and effective to treat using your normal shampoo, conditioner and a nit comb that can be purchased from most pharmacies. If you find that your child does have head lice it is advisable to treat the whole family.
For further information on management and treatment please see the link below to the NHS advice:
Competition Information
Clifton Literary Festival: YEAR 9 to YEAR 13 - Write a short story (800 MAX) about VOICES or VOICE for a chance to win £100 or £50 by mid-October
All information about these competitions is below.
We have more Poetry competitions and opportunities to look forward to as well - More information to follow.
WM Postcard advert to parents POSTER SLIDE FOR 2026 COMP WM Year Group News 🏫
Year Group News 🏫
Year 7
Year 7
It has been another fantastic couple of weeks for Year 7 students, with lots of opportunities to learn, contribute and represent our school community.
Online Safety Assembly
Students took part in an Online Safety Assembly, where they engaged brilliantly and listened to our Student Digital Leaders with great respect.
The assembly also gave students an insight into some of the exciting opportunities available to them in the future, including becoming Student Digital Leaders themselves and representing the school by supporting with assemblies and sharing important messages with their peers.
Open Evening - A Huge Thank You!
Thank you to all Year 7 students who spent their time supporting last week's Open Evening. Year 7 students had opportunities to support in Faculties as well a delivering fantastic speeches to Year 6 parents/carers in the Main Hall.
Year 7 represented the school brilliantly and played a huge role in making the event a success!
Shout Outs
This week's Shout Outs go to 7EK, 7CF and 7TL! I have received two Shout Outs for 7EK over the past week for displaying their creative abilities in both Drama and Dance. Teachers have been very impressed with your excellent performances.
Additionally for students in 7TL who spoke in front of their languages class, feedback from their teacher included great accuracy and confidence in their German dialogue. Finally to 7CF who won this week's Curly Wurly attendance award for the highest tutor group attendance in Year 7.
Keep up the good work Year 7, you are all having an amazing contribution to the school.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead to next week and World Mental Health Day, Year 7 students will have the opportunity to take part in a range of activities and competitions throughout the week. This year, the YoungMinds World Mental Health Day theme focuses on having a ‘sense of belonging’. I look forward to supporting these activities and continuing our important work around building a strong sense of belonging within our school community.
Thank you as always for your continued support.
Have a lovely weekend.
Mr Arnold
Year 7 Learning Coordinator
We are Starting a Year 7 Book Club!
Cotham are looking for members to start a YEAR 7 BOOK CLUB. The results are IN and the current Year 7s are reading at double the rate of last years Year 7s (who also loved to read btw). I am VERY HAPPY with their love of books.
So, if your child loves to read OR wants to get into reading whilst making new friends, then the book club could be the perfect place. Everyone meets in the library one day per week during lunch to chat about a book. YOU choose the book. For more info please click on the link.
Ms D Payne
Librarian
WM 2026 Year 7 Book Club AdvertYear 8
Year 8
What a fantastic start to the year we have had over 180 Cotham Shout Outs for Year 8. Well done to everyone who has received a Shout Out. Keep up the good work and thank you for making Cotham such a brilliant place.
Shout Outs
We have also had some great class Shout Outs:
Ms Nolan: Please could I give a Shout Out to 8ab/MaW in Maths today for an absolutely brilliant lesson. They arrived quickly and calmly after the assembly and worked incredibly hard for the whole of period 1. Well done!
Ms Brooks: Massive Shout Out to 8ABSP2. We spent an hour completing a silent worksheet with lots of exam skills such as translation, dictation and reading aloud. They have worked so sensibly throughout the lesson and have completed some incredible work. Muy muy bien!
Trip
Our trip to the Redgrave Theatre was very popular and has sold out. Thank you to everyone who bought a ticket. Please remember if you have purchased a ticket then you also need to return the signed consent form to Mrs Arnold.
Bake Off
Year 8 will start Tutor Bake Off and our first one will be 20 October. Nine students will take on a baking challenge; please keep an eye out for the results.
There is lots of excitement in Year 8 as we start the fortnightly attendance rewards. Every two weeks the tutor groups who have the highest attendance will be awarded a Curly Wurly - well done to 8TE who all won a Curly Wurly!
Football fever starts up again this term as Year 8 prepare to kick off the Year 8 Tutor football league. 8TE take on 8KD in the first match this week.
We have welcomed lots of new students into Year 8 this year. A huge welcome to each and every one of you! We are so pleased to have you as part of our school community and hope you are settling in, making new friends and enjoying your new adventure with us. We are looking forward to seeing all the wonderful things you will achieve this year!
Mrs L Arnold
Year 8 Learning Coordinator
Year 9
Year 9
News
There is much to celebrate in Year 9, with students producing good work, contributing thoughtfully in lessons and showing enthusiasm for their learning. It is lovely to see their efforts and achievements recognised.
However, I have been disappointed by some recent unkind and inappropriate behaviour. We want every student to feel safe, valued and respected, and would appreciate parents’ and carers’ support in reinforcing the importance of kindness, respectful language and the impact our words and actions can have on others.
Pantomime Trip
Pantomime trip information and permission slips are now coming home. Please ensure completed permits are returned by Friday 16 October at the latest, bookings will be on a first come first serve basis and permissions need to be returned with a wet ink signature.
Please do not return by email. Thank you for your continued support in helping Year 9 have a positive and successful year.
Mrs Dickerson
Year 9 Learning Coordinator
Year 10
Year 10
Work Experience Launch
Year 10 have received an assembly on their work experience week for this academic year. All placements must be added to Unifrog which is an online destinations platform. Please see the guide below for how to upload a placement.
Y10 WEX Unifrog How to (2)Year 11
Year 11
Parent Information Event
Thank you to all those parents who attended the Year 11 Parent Information Event on Wednesday 30 September. We hope that you found all the information that was shared useful.
Please find attached the PowerPoint Presentation that was delivered on the evening. The presentation was also recorded and the recording can be found on the Year 11 Parent Information Event Portal. This can be accessed via the school website under the Parents section called Information Events. The portal also has really useful subject-specific videos on how to prepare your child for the upcoming mock examinations.
Here is a link to the Portal.
North Bristol Post 16 🚀
North Bristol Post 16 🚀
Week of Enrichment and Leadership!
Year 12 have had many wonderful opportunities available to them this week, with enrichment launching on Wednesday. It has been wonderful to see so many students participate in such varied activities. Huge congratulations to all those who are now part of the student leadership team also. It was great to see democracy in action with so many staff and student votes also.
Next week will see Year 13 assembly on Black History Month, as well as Thursday's upcoming Open Evening for North Bristol Post 16 at the Cotham site.
Subject Announcements 📖 ✏️ 🔢 🧪 🌍 🏛️ 🖥️🧮 🎨 🎭 🎵 🔨 🧑🍳 🏃♂️
Subject Announcements 📖 ✏️ 🔢 🧪 🌍 🏛️ 🖥️🧮 🎨 🎭 🎵 🔨 🧑🍳 🏃♂️
STEAM
STEAM
Art of the Week - Year 10 Art
Last week in Art, the Year 10s have started working on their GCSE unit "All You Can Eat". They are beginning to explore food in art through observational drawings of peppers, which they will revisit again soon once the peppers have started to mould. Here we have some lovely (but not so appetising) photographs taken by some of the students of the turning peppers... We are looking forward to seeing their beautiful outcomes!
Call for Fabric Donations!
Do you have any fabric waste in your home? Old bedsheets or clothing you no longer wear? Stacks of fabric that you never will use? Or just too much clutter?
We are looking to reduce waste by asking for your help! We want your textiles!
Drop off your donations in C008 (the Art Office) - but please, make sure they are clean.
PE
PE
Term 1 Extra-Curricular Clubs - 2026/2027
We are pleased to share the range of sports clubs available this term, including volleyball, basketball, netball and rugby.
As a department, we look forward to welcoming students to our lunchtime clubs and after-school clubs, developing their skills and encouraging them to represent Cotham School. We hope to see many students getting involved and making the most of the sporting opportunities available this term.
Term 1 sports clubs.pptx Careers 💼
Careers 💼
Career of the Week is ... Gym Manager!
Could this be a career for you?
Gym Managers are responsible for leading teams, hitting fitness goals and managing the day-to-day operations of a club. Leadership and team work are key skills and a good knowledge of sales and the latest fitness trends is essential.
Access to this role can be gained through GCSE/ BTEC Physical Education and Biology, Level 2/3 Personal Training Certificates and Apprenticeships.
BEP
BEP
Youth Talk
I had the pleasure of joining Sasha, Myles, and James in Year 13 at Bristol Free School this week as they prepare for the BEP Youth Talks. They participated in a public speaking workshop and polished their talks ahead of the main event at the MacKinnon Theatre in October. Tickets are now available to reserve - it is free to attend but has limited capacity so book early to avoid disappointment!
Please click here to book your tickets.
House Announcement 🏠
House Announcement 🏠
Well Done Sigma House
Well done Sigma House! You have made such a fantastic start to the year! You are earning so many House Points and so many of you are receiving Shout Outs!
Keep it up and remember to be truthful and compassionate!
BEP
BEP
Campaign to End Loneliness
Sasha in Year 12 represented the youth of Bristol on a panel at the Campaign to End Loneliness Roadshow at the Bristol Beacon last week. She spoke so eloquently as she presented well considered arguments and debated the causes and antidotes to youth loneliness. Her perspective was valued and she was applauded by the organisers for her incredible contribution. Edie and Ayaan in Year 11 came to support and participated in a series of workshops and discussions. What a great start to the year!
Literacy 📖
Literacy 📖
Vocabulary Every Student Needs to Know
A strong academic vocabulary helps students understand exam questions and achieve higher marks.
Vocabulary Every Student Needs to Know.pdfKS3
KS3
Word of the Week
Word of the Week
Collaborative
Collaborative
'Kuh - lab - uh - ruh - tiv'
Meaning:
Working together to achieve something (adjective).
Example:
Being collaborative can help you to solve problems quicker.
Synonyms:
Collective, shared, cooperative…
KS4
KS4
Word of the Week
Word of the Week
Portray
Portray
'Por - tray'
Meaning:
To represent or describe someone or something in a painting, film, book or other artistic work (verb).
Example:
The artist portrays their passion for colour in their latest work.
Shakespeare portrays the character of Macbeth as ruthless.
Synonyms:
Represent, illustrate, show…
Digital Literacy Corner 💻
Digital Literacy Corner 💻
Online Safety Newsletter
Online Safety Newsletter
Please find our latest online safety newsletter attached.
Important Notice:
This newsletter is intended for adults and includes discussions on online safety, including sensitive topics such as the online exploitation of children. Some of this content may be upsetting to both adults and children.
We strongly encourage parents and carers to prepare themselves before reading and to carefully consider which information to share with their child, based on their age and cognitive ability. The language and explanations used may not always be suitable for younger children, so please use your discretion when deciding what is appropriate for your child.
Your awareness and thoughtful approach is vital in ensuring a safe and informed discussion about online safety.
Kind regards
Farhan Ahmed
Digital Learning Lead
Email: AhmedF@cotham.bristol.sch.uk
_Online_Saftey_Newsletter_23 Community 🏘️
Community 🏘️
Let's Talk: Settling Back into School (SEND Support)
Let's Talk: Settling Back into School (SEND Support)
Has your child had the support they need this term? Join Bristol Parent Carers online on Thursday 15 October (7.00pm to 8.30pm) for a relaxed, pressure-free discussion. Share your views to help improve local support for SEND families - plus, receive a thank-you gift for attending! Please click here to book your place.
Holiday Enrichment Courses
Holiday Enrichment Courses
Please find below an update about NOVUS Academy at Badminton School:
Place are limited across each age group. Please click here for further details.
Invitation to Tour Willow Park Primary School
Invitation to Tour Willow Park Primary School
Willow Park Primary School warmly invites local parents to visit the school and learn more about their vibrant family community.
To schedule a guided tour and see their transformed spaces, please contact the school office on 0117 903 0434.
Get Active with Youth Basketball in Bristol! 🏀
Get Active with Youth Basketball in Bristol! 🏀
Looking for a fun, affordable, and engaging team sport for your child?
Community basketball hubs are open across Bristol, welcoming boys and girls of all skill levels!
🏀 Inclusive and Fun: Suitable for beginners to experienced players.
👟 Complete Package: Only £40 per month, which covers both regular training and game play.
📍 Local Hubs: Convenient locations right across the city.
Take a look at the attached poster to see the details for our nearest venue and how to get involved!
Cotham Sat Print.pdfOctober Half Term Musical Theatre Workshop at Cotham School!
October Half Term Musical Theatre Workshop at Cotham School!
As part of our vibrant school community, we are excited to share an upcoming Musical Theatre opportunity hosted right here on site by PQA Bristol (Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts)!
Dates: Monday 26 October – Wednesday 28 October 2026
Times: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm daily
Location: Cotham School (BS6 6DT)
Ages: 6+
Highlights: Learn songs and routines from Beetlejuice, Legally Blonde, and Mamma Mia!—including an exclusive Day 2 workshop with West End performer Grace Parry!
Price & Community Discount
Standard: £140
Cotham Students: £130 (Use code COTHAM for £10 off)
Payment is required upon booking.
🎬 Make your own spooky movie this October Half Term!
🎬 Make your own spooky movie this October Half Term!
Join Sparks Film School Bristol Central at Cotham School for our action-packed Filmmaking & Animation Camps! Young filmmakers aged 7–14 can get creative, have fun and make their own film.
📅 Monday 26 – Wednesday 28 October 2026
⏰ 9.00am–3.00pm
🎥 Filmmaking Camp: Ages 7–14
🎨 Animation Camp: Ages 7–11
Find out more and book your place here.
Reminders 🔔
Reminders 🔔
Reporting Student Absence - Studybugs
Reporting Student Absence - Studybugs
Please inform the school by 9.00am on the first and subsequent days of absence.
School procedure is as follows:
absence message sent if absences have not been reported.
if no response to the absence message, a follow up letter requesting reason for absence will be sent.
If you haven’t already, please download the free Studybugs app, or register on the Studybugs website, and use it to tell us whenever your child is ill and unable to attend school.
Get the app or register now by clicking here.
Thank you
Cotham School
Poster with Additional Info.pdfPage updated
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