LIVE TO LEARN, LEARN TO LIVE
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“Being at Byrchall has allowed me to try so many new things. I take part in experiments and practical lessons and I learn more in the clubs and activities that are for everyone here. I have made friends quickly, it’s made school so much fun.”
“I’m so happy that I chose Byrchall for my children. It really is a wonderful school. The pastoral support is amazing and I would definitely recommend the school. ”
“School is somewhere I feel welcome and able to be myself. I am proud and happy to be a student at Byrchall.”
“The best thing about the school is the dedicated staff. They really do go above and beyond for the students and I can’t fault them in any way. ”
“I have really enjoyed my first year at Byrchall. I have tried so many new skills, joined three clubs and I have made friends so quickly. It feels like I have always been here.”
Latest news
☀️ Uniform Update
In light of the forecast warm weather, our relaxed uniform measures will continue until the end of term on Firday, 17th July.
Students may attend school in either:
• Full school uniform (blazer and tie optional), or
• Full Byrchall PE kit.
Please note that combining the two, or wearing non-school clothing, is not permitted.
Thank you for your continued support, and we hope everyone enjoys a well-earned summer!
A huge well done to Alanah Bate, who proudly represented Greater Manchester at the 2026 English Schools` Athletic Association Track & Field Championships.
Competing in the hammer throw, Alanah recorded an incredible throw of over 44 metres to finish 11th.
Congratulations on an outstanding achievement. We couldn`t be prouder!
#sports #CelebratingSuccess
Congratulations to Harry, Tyler and Ronnie, who represented Newton-le-Willows Athletic Under 13s at the Newton-le-Willows Tournament on Saturday.
The team battled all the way to the final, narrowly missing out after a penalty shootout. Despite the hot weather, the boys gave everything from start to finish, showing fantastic determination, teamwork and resilience throughout the day.
We`re incredibly proud of Harry, Tyler and Ronnie for representing both their club and Byrchall so brilliantly. Well done to everyone involved!
#teamwork #sports
🎉 ONE WEEK TO GO!
We`re on the final countdown! 🙌
Let`s finish the school year the best way possible by showing up, joining in, and making every day count.
Let`s end the year on a high! 🌟
✅ Be here.
✅ Be on time.
✅ Finish strong.
Let`s make this last week one to remember! 😎
#AttendanceMatters #EveryDayCounts #BeHereBeBrilliant
🍽️ Free School Meals Update
The Government has recently changed the eligibility criteria for Free School Meals, meaning many more families may now qualify for support from September 2026.
The application link and further information can be found via our website: https://www.byrchall.wigan.sch.uk/free-school-meals
If you have any questions or need help with your application, please contact the school office. A member of our team will be happy to assist.
#freeschoolmeals
🎸 Arts Week Visiting Artist Highlight!
Yesterday, during the school day and at the Byrchall Fringe Festival, we were delighted to welcome Dave Foster as one of this year`s visiting practitioners for Arts Week.
An acclaimed guitarist, songwriter and session musician, Dave has enjoyed a career spanning more than 30 years across pop, progressive rock and ambient music.
A former student of Leigh College of Music, Dave first gained recognition with the progressive rock band Mr. So & So before going on to work as a songwriter and musician for legendary producer Pete Waterman. He has also collaborated with a wide range of artists, showcasing his versatility as both a performer and songwriter.
Dave is best known as a member of The Steve Rothery Band, where he co-wrote the acclaimed album The Ghosts of Pripyat. His career has also included performances and recordings with Marillion, Anneke van Giersbergen, Panic Room, Big Big Train and ambient artist Rick Armstrong. Alongside these projects, he fronts The Dave Foster Band, releasing original music with acclaimed guest musicians from across the industry.
A huge thank you to Dave for sharing his experience, insights and passion with our students. We hope they enjoyed learning from such an accomplished musician and were inspired by his journey.
#ArtsWeek #Music #PerformingArts
🎭 Yesterday, we were delighted to welcome Carley Stenson to Byrchall as part of Arts Week.
With a hugely successful career spanning West End musical theatre, television and film, Carley spent the day working with our 9 to 5 cast, sharing her wealth of industry experience and expertise. Students explored musical theatre and screen acting while rehearsing numbers they later performed at the Byrchall Fringe Festival.
It was an inspiring day filled with creativity, confidence and invaluable professional insight.
A huge thank you to Carley for giving her time to support and inspire our students, and well done to everyone involved!
#PerformingArts #theatre #9to5
🎨 As Arts Week comes to a close, we`d like to take a moment to thank the incredible visiting artists who inspired our students throughout the week.
We were honoured to welcome Carrie Reichardt, an acclaimed British artist renowned for her bold work in ceramics, mosaic and public art. A First Class Fine Art graduate from the University of Leeds, Carrie is celebrated for combining traditional craft with powerful social commentary, creating thought-provoking artworks that challenge, inspire and spark conversation.
Alex Goodwin joined us with a practice centred on community engagement and creative collaboration. Alex has led workshops across the UK and internationally in schools, museums, health settings, refugee homes and community spaces, using drawing, painting, printmaking, collage and making to bring people together. His work demonstrates how creativity can strengthen wellbeing, build confidence and create a real sense of belonging.
We also welcomed Gavin Renshaw, a visual artist best known for his striking large-scale murals and research-led artwork inspired by local history, landscapes and communities. Working with councils, museums and national arts organisations, Gavin creates powerful public artworks that celebrate identity, heritage and place.
A huge thank you to Carrie, Alex and Gavin for sharing your expertise and creativity with our students through your inspiring art workshops!
#art #community
🎨 Creativity was flowing at yesterday`s Arts Week workshops!
From clay sculpting and spray art to drawing, students experimented with a range of artistic techniques, bringing their imaginations to life.
Well done to everyone who took part, and a massive thank you to our visiting artists for such fantastic sessions!
#ArtsWeek #Art #Creativity
Yesterday at Arts Week, our students brought Romeo and Juliet to life with the help of The Rubbish Shakespeare Company. @rubbishshakespeare
From the opening battle and the masked ball to the story`s unforgettable final scene, students recreated key moments using a fantastic range of props, plenty of imagination and great teamwork.
The performances were full of creativity, confidence and non-stop laughter. A huge thank you to The Rubbish Shakespeare Company for delivering such entertaining and memorable workshops!
#shakespeare #drama #PerformingArts
🎶 Yesterday marked the final day of our Arts Week, and Rock Lab was in full swing!
Students formed their own bands, learned new instruments, developed their musical skills and performed together. Whether picking up an instrument for the first time or building on existing talents, everyone embraced the challenge with enthusiasm and teamwork.
It was fantastic to see so much confidence, creativity and passion for music on display.
#music #rockband #teamwork
Yesterday, our drama students enjoyed a fantastic clown comedy workshop with Matt from Mischief Theatre. @mischiefcomedy
Through playful performance, students explored how timing, audience interaction and even when things "go wrong" can make comedy even funnier! They then put their learning into practice by creating and performing their own comedy sketches.
There were plenty of laughs along the way, and it was brilliant to see so much confidence, creativity and teamwork on display.
A huge thank you to Matt for such a fun and memorable session!
#drama #performingarts #comedy
SENIOR HOUSE COMPETITION
Our History
Byrchall High School was founded in 1588 at the behest of Robert Birchall. He established the school with the vision of providing outstanding educational provision for the young people of our area. Since then Byrchall has benefitted from the many donations of land, resources and even cakes and ales for its students-a tradition celebrated each year on our Founder’s Day!
Our founder believed in education and in community. In this proud tradition our school today maintains its strong links with our local community and The Church of England. We remain steadfast in our work of enabling every young person in our community to achieve their full potential as an integral part of Byrchall High School.
Recent History
To celebrate our rich and long standing school history within the Wigan borough, we held an alumni event.
Pupils and staff who attended Byrchall high school throughout the decades were invited back to share their stories, memories and to look back on some of our archived photographs, booklets and school memorabilia.
Take a look at the event for yourself using the button below.
Our Values
Byrchall High School is committed to fostering an environment built on strong core values that shape both the academic and personal growth of its students. Our motto encapsulates all we try to do every day.
Learn to Live – enjoy and achieve.
Live to Learn – now and in the future.
These values are underpinned by the daily practice of respect, responsibility, resilience, and aspiration, which guide the behaviour and decision-making of the school community.
Respect is encouraged in all interactions, promoting kindness and understanding amongst students and staff.
Responsibility is emphasised, ensuring that students take ownership of their learning and actions.
Resilience is nurtured through challenges, empowering students to overcome obstacles and learn from setbacks.
Aspiration drives the pursuit of excellence, encouraging students to aim high and reach their full potential. Together, these values create a positive, supportive, and ambitious school culture where every individual is welcome and integral to our community.
OUR FUTUREs
Encouraging aspiration in young people is essential for helping them to realise their full potential and pursue meaningful goals.
With a stimulating and varied curriculum including academic, creative and extra-curriular options for every child, Byrchall makes learning exciting.
All students are encouraged to plan for a bright future, fostering a growth mindset where challenges are seen as opportunities to learn and grow rather than obstacles.
By providing our students with diverse role models, exposing them to various career paths, and celebrating their achievements, we can inspire ambition and a sense of possibility.
Mentorship, personalised support, guidance, and creating an environment where their interests are nurtured can further ignite their drive to succeed.
Encouraging self-belief and resilience ensures that our young people remain focused on their aspirations, even in the face of challenges and a changing world, empowering them to set high standards for themselves and strive toward fulfilling futures in whatever area they choose.
