Freddie's Focus
For Parents & Carers
- Issue 154
- March 6, 2026
Freddie's Focus
For Parents & Carers
- Issue 154
- March 6, 2026
Message from the Headteacher
Dear Parents & Carers,
I am pleased to share some encouraging feedback from our recent staff survey. Since the introduction of the YONDR pouches, teachers across the school have noticed a significant improvement in students’ concentration and engagement in lessons. Many staff have commented that students are more focused, more willing to participate, and are far less distracted by notifications or social pressures linked to phone use. Staff are also reporting a noticeable reduction in the number of students asking to leave lessons to use the toilet, which we can assume was because, prior to this being introduced, they were checking their phones.
This positive shift has already begun to create calmer classrooms and a stronger learning atmosphere, benefiting students academically and socially. It is still early days, but the impact is clear, and we are delighted to see how well our students have adapted to the change.
I would like to thank you for your ongoing support with the YONDR policy. Your partnership makes a real difference in helping students get the very best from their time in school.
Warm regards,
Mr Davies
Message from the Headteacher
Dear Parents & Carers,
I am pleased to share some encouraging feedback from our recent staff survey. Since the introduction of the YONDR pouches, teachers across the school have noticed a significant improvement in students’ concentration and engagement in lessons. Many staff have commented that students are more focused, more willing to participate, and are far less distracted by notifications or social pressures linked to phone use. Staff are also reporting a noticeable reduction in the number of students asking to leave lessons to use the toilet, which we can assume was because, prior to this being introduced, they were checking their phones.
This positive shift has already begun to create calmer classrooms and a stronger learning atmosphere, benefiting students academically and socially. It is still early days, but the impact is clear, and we are delighted to see how well our students have adapted to the change.
I would like to thank you for your ongoing support with the YONDR policy. Your partnership makes a real difference in helping students get the very best from their time in school.
Warm regards,
Mr Davies
Things to celebrate
- This week our ‘Evening of Dance’ has taken place. This incredible event brings together huge numbers of our students, past and present. We would like to thank everyone involved.
- On Tuesday evening a group of our Drama students went to watch ‘Rent’ the Musical Directed by our very own Mr Moloney.
- We have had some fantastic events running in the library all week as part of the World Book Week celebrations. More details are on our socials!
- On Tuesday a group of Year 9 students went to Hope Mill Theatre for a tour and opportunity to experience careers in the Arts.
- On Wednesday a group of our KS3 students took part in a STEM careers event.
- Sporting Success this week
We are always excited to learn of any sporting successes outside of school so we can celebrate the student’s achievements. Please email Mr Gregory with any information so we can share with everyone on Freddie’s Focus – gregoryi@flhs.wigan.sch.uk
Sporting Success this week
We are always excited to learn of any sporting successes outside of school so we can celebrate the student’s achievements. Please email Mr Gregory with any information so we can share with everyone on Freddie’s Focus – gregoryi@flhs.wigan.sch.uk
What we do at Freddie's and why we do it
‘Freddie’s Fortnightly Focus for students’:
Once per fortnight we deliver ‘Freddie’s Focus for Students’ during an allocated Form time slot. This publication is used to communicate key messages to students including whole school and Head of Year notices. We also use this publication to challenge thinking, advertise extra-curricular opportunities, share library notices and deliver something topical and news-related.
Year 7 to Year 10
100 HoY Mug/Earphones/Water Bottle/Skip the queue pass
175 MTA Power Bank/Skip the queue pass/Calculator/£5 Amazon voucher
250 MTA £10 Amazon voucher/Skip the queue pass
350 PDA £15 Amazon voucher/Skip the queue pass
Year 11
100 HoY £5 Amazon voucher/£5 off Prom
150 MTA £10 Amazon voucher/£10 off Prom
200 PDA £15 Amazon voucher/£15 off Prom
Homework and Independent Learning
Helping your child to understand how we learn:
Retrieval practice is the strategy of recalling facts, concepts, or events from memory in order to enhance learning. The act of retrieving something from your memory actually strengthens the connections holding it there, making it more likely that you’ll be able to recall it in the future. Below are some of the strategies that we have spoken to your children about:
Applications that we use for learning
The following applications are used by our students during their time at FLHS to aid their learning. You can learn more about them below.
Microsoft Office
Did you know that your child can access Microsoft Office at home for free? As a student at Fred Longworth High School, your child is allowed to download a fully working free copy of Microsoft Office 365 to use on their computer, smartphone and tablet whilst they are a student at our school. Click on the button below to learn more.
Satchel:One
Satchel:One is the school online learning platform for students and is the parental portal for all information related to your child’s overall progress within school. You can keep track of your child’s homework using Satchel:One. It is advisable to remind your child to get into the habit of checking their homework on Satchel:One regularly. Relying upon notifications is not the right approach and we advise students to turn off notifications so that they are not disturbed by them.
GCSEPod
GCSEPod is an online study platform and is the perfect resource to help your child learn, retain and recall all the information they need to achieve their GCSE goals. GCSEPod provides 3-5 minute bursts of audio-visual, teacher written learning which can help to reinforce and consolidate key GCSE topics covered in lessons. Experts read and explain everything clearly including all the right facts, quotes, keywords, dates and diagrams on screen. GCSEPod is only available to students in Year 10 and Year 11.
Homework Club
Please remind your child that homework club is available to all students Monday to Thursday where they can complete work in a quiet environment with staff on hand to support them, and computers for online quizzes and research.
Attendance
We want to do all we can to support your child to be in school every day and ask that you support this important message from home, encouraging your child to avoid missing curriculum content through absence. Here is a breakdown of the absences for the following attendance percentages:
Thank you for your continued support with attendance.
Please encourage your child to be in school every day.
Can we please remind all our parents and carers to use the correct channels of communication should they wish to raise a concern or question. Your continued support is invaluable to us.
Belonging, Engaging, Succeeding Together.
Can we please remind all our parents and carers to use the correct channels of communication should they wish to raise a concern or question. Your continued support is invaluable to us.